You’ve been doing the same thing for years. You feel like you are not learning or growing although you desperately want to and absolutely love learning new things. You can’t remember the last time you had a challenging work assignment. Some of your colleagues appear to have moved on to bigger and better things. They have higher salaries and feel energized by their new jobs but you feel like you are in a career rut.

Take Charge

It’s time to take charge of your learning. There are plenty of classes you can take in person or online. What do you want to learn more about? Perhaps your manager can provide some direction on a path to get you to the next level. They may even be willing to cover some of the expenses. Your company may have a tuition reimbursement program that you are not aware of. Some classes may be too expensive but there are plenty out there for a very affordable price. You may want to find a mentor or a career coach to help you navigate through this career rut you seem to be in. Learning is an important part of life and there may be some exciting opportunities out there for growth.

Volunteer to Take On New Challenges

Speak to your manager about taking on new and exciting projects. (S)he may not be aware of your desire to assume new responsibilities. Often times, managers embrace a team member’s interest in taking on new assignments. It helps make their life easier and lightens their workload. Tell your manager the types of skills you wish to learn and what suggestions (s)he may have.

Be Strategic

I always tell my clients not to make any rash decisions. If you plan to look for a new job, it’s easier to do while you still have a pay check coming in. That way, if you decide to make a change it’s because you are excited about this new opportunity and not because your rent is coming due. For some, there’s a fear of failure or reluctance to venture into new territory. Those are all natural feelings of course. Sometimes something as simple as spending more time with your family and friends and doing more of the things you enjoy outside of work can help put things in perspective. If you realize that your work is a part of your life but there are other priorities, it may in some cases alleviate the frustration. It may also give you a new appreciation for your work. You may become less frustrated about some of the small things that bothered you before.

If you feel like you are still in a career rut and have not made enough progress, then think about whether or not it may be the right time to look for new opportunities. You may want to explore your options. You don’t have to make any decisions or do anything drastic but feed your simple curiosity for what’s out there.  Either way continue to take steps toward learning and growing.