Three Early Warning Signs that Your Career May be Stalling
- Your boss has only positive things to say. They don’t offer any constructive feedback about what you could be doing differently.
No matter who you are, there’s always room to grow. You deserve to work for someone who can help you do that. Even if you aren’t aiming for the C-Suite, you can do work that is interesting and fulfilling. - Your boss says you’re “not ready” for that next promotion, or that there isn’t a role for you to move into.
Too often I hear people say that they get great reviews, but they’re not really translating into opportunities to move up. I think that’s a shame. If someone is doing good work, they should have a title and pay that goes along with that. Organization charts and job descriptions aren’t written in stone. There’s usually a way to provide growth opportunities for someone – it just might require some creative thinking. - You hesitate to apply for a promotion or “next level” job, because you’re afraid.
You may be worried that you would have to give up your work-life balance. Or nervous you won’t have what it takes to be successful. Everyone is afraid when they’re facing a new challenge. That doesn’t mean you’re not ready for it. Also, just because other people are working crazy long hours doesn’t mean you would have to. It’s possible to learn how to prioritize and set boundaries strategically so that work isn’t all consuming, no matter what level you’re at in the hierarchy.
There’s no rule that says you have to keep moving up in order to consider your career a success. There’s a lot to be said for the pride of a job well done. But if you’re capable of more, there’s a real financial cost to stalling out in your career. Depending on your field, a typical promotion is probably worth several thousand dollars. Over the years, that can add up to the difference between a nice retirement lifestyle and a great one.
You owe it to yourself to take a look in the mirror and see if any of these patterns apply to you. If they do, we’d love to help you get out of them and begin to explore what you can do about it.
Sure, it’s going to mean leaving your comfort zone. It’s going to mean stretching and growing. But really, at the end of the day, isn’t that what life’s all about? Schedule a call with our team today to get started.