Me: Why was I passed over for promotion? Why wasn’t I selected for the working group? Why do I feel stuck in my work? I’m not sure what to do next.

I’ve had those thoughts at various times in my career. It’s part of the modern workplace experience. I felt stuck. The one thing about career stagnation that most people may not want to accept:

It can often be caused by a lack of motivation or direction in one’s life.

This can be a difficult truth to face.

It’s important to recognize that external factors such as a lack of resources or opportunities may contribute to stagnation, but ultimately it is up to each individual to take action and make changes in their life.

Over time, I’ve figured out how to get unstuck. Sometimes a simple walk is enough to do the trick.

Otherwise, consider a few of the following tips to work through stagnation:

• Identify and pursue new goals and passions [I started a blog, wrote and submitted articles to publications, and started consulting]
• Maintain motivation and drive [Exercise, a healthy diet, and sleep helps immensely]
• Understand that overcoming stagnation is an ongoing process [It isn’t a one-time fix!]
• Seek support from others [I met people from outside my industry, started working with a coach, and joined several community groups to share ideas]

Remember, stagnation is not a permanent state.

Once you start to recognize the symptoms, it becomes easier to adjust and reset so that you can start to build what’s next.

What works for you to beat stagnation?