Most of us at some point have a little career slump, especially if you work the same job for a long period of time. Even if you love your job, you can start to feel trapped, like you’re failing, or not getting anywhere, like promotion or advancement will never come. If this is the case, there are some great, easy ways you can boost your career, whether to gain a big promotion or just to fall in love with your job again. Here’s a look at some of the best.
Take a Course
We tend to assume that once we’ve got a job we want, that’s it, education is over. However, if you’ve hit a bit of a slump, gaining further education is one of the best ways to give your career a boost. For example, if you work in politics, an online degree in political science from George Washington University could be ideal.
Take a Break
Sometimes, the best boost is to take a break. When we work full-time, we often spend a lot of time working or thinking about work when we get home. It can be exhausting. It’s easy to get burned out. Take a vacation. Go away if you can, or just spend more time with your family and friends, relaxing and having fun. Return to work, recharged and refreshed, ready to take on new challenges with a greater enthusiasm.
Stop Worrying About Co-workers
Don’t worry about what your co-workers are doing. Avoid office gossip, politics and competition. It’s not going to help you. Focus on yourself, and what you can do.
Assess Yourself
Sit down and write a list of everything you are good at, everything you enjoy about your job, and then those things you don’t enjoy or you need to improve upon. If you’re a software engineer and wanted to have a more appealing salary, you may build your own portfolio and attend workshops you may need to improve your skills.
Take Some Risks
Don’t get trapped in your comfort zone. Take some risks and put yourself out there. Speak up in meetings. Put your ideas forward, even if you’re not quite sure. Offer up some solutions to problems others are having. Speak with confidence and you might find you start to feel more confident.
Look After Yourself
It’s not just at work you can make changes to boost your career. Making some changes to your lifestyle will help you to feel more confident, more alert, have greater levels of concentration and be generally happier and more relaxed. Be sure to get some exercise when you can, even if it’s just a long walk. Get plenty of sleep, and eat a healthy, balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and lots of water.
Remember, it’s never too late to make some changes. Online study, and courses such as a masters in political science online, can open the door to education for many more people. If you find that even after following these tips you are still unhappy at work, consider making a change.