Feeling Lost In Your Career? Quickly Find Your Way In 3 Actionable Steps

Are you in a professional slump?

Before you say no, consider if any of these ring true:

• You’re not motivated the way you once were
• You’re easily frustrated
• You’ve become a pessimist
• You’re spinning your wheels and lack a clear direction
• You suspect something’s amiss, but you’re scared of what’s next, so you brush it off or procrastinate on taking action

These are all red flags that you’re feeling lost in your career.

Though it seems obvious, many people don’t realize they’re stuck career-wise. Instead, they ignore their discontent by busying themselves being busy or using their fear as a way to avoid confronting their reality. But the first step in solving a problem is identifying it as a problem. And once you do, you can take measures to overcome it.

Here are three actionable steps to find your way:

1. Start by looking inward.

To make progress, you must first look within and honestly assess your situation.

Get clarity.

Getting out of a career slump requires clarity and begins with one question: “What do I want?”

Though simple, that question isn’t easy for most to answer. Some wrestle with insecurities and fears about coming to grips with their true desires; others have never pushed the pause button on their busy lives to give themselves space to do so. So if you’re feeling lost in your career, now is the time to answer that question honestly—even if the answer differs from what you thought it might (or should) be.

Change your mindset.

When you’re feeling lost, wallowing in your misery is tempting. Worse, your frustration can unintentionally impact others. But staying in a negative headspace won’t help you move forward. Instead, shift your mindset to one of positivity and possibility. Remove the shackles of what is to consider what could be. Get curious. Allow yourself to envision what the career of your future unstuck self might look like, even if it varies from your current professional scenario.

Incorporate self-care.

Beating yourself up or ignoring your needs is counterproductive to your progress. Research shows that self-care drives success, so get into the habit of treating yourself the supportive way you would a treasured friend or colleague. This means being kind and caring toward yourself rather than harshly self-critical.

And make sure to listen to your body—are you having frequent headaches? Is your energy low? It’s probably time to replenish yourself. Nourish your body with proper rest, relaxation, nutrition, and movement. Enrich your mind with educational and uplifting podcasts, books, TED talks, articles, and videos. Recharge your spirit through meditation, prayer, or reflection, spend time in nature, and visit with friends and loved ones.

2. Next, adopt an external focus.

Once you’ve done the inner work, shift your focus to those around you.

Ask for help—and be open to receiving it.

Isolating yourself when you’re feeling lost will only make you feel worse. Instead, reach out to ask for help once you know what you want. A trusted friend or mentor can also offer words of encouragement in a supportive and non-judgmental voice. Chances are, they’ve been there before and can help you find your way out.

But the other side of asking for help is opening your mind to be in a position to receive it. Do your best to listen to the advice given, understanding that it might include an unfamiliar path. Rather than resist it, remain flexible and adaptable to up your odds of moving past your current plateau.

Help others.

One of the best ways to deal with feeling lost is to get out of your head and help someone else. Proactively offer assistance to those struggling by putting yourself in their shoes. It’s amazing the shift that occurs when you move from a selfish position to one of service. When you help someone solve a problem, you feel better, which changes your mindset and paves the way for more good.

Practice gratitude.

Another way to get out of your head is to practice gratitude. For example, write a thank you letter to someone who’s impacted your life or make a list of things you are grateful for. This becomes a virtuous cycle for positivity and good and a win-win to help get you back on track.

3. Finally, take action.

The key to finding your way is taking action because action begets more action and creates the momentum you need to thrive.

Get out of your comfort zone.

Stagnation thrives in the comfort zone; it’s where career ruts are born. If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. Finding your way is about pushing yourself to take risks and reap the rewards. At work, showcase your expertise by being proactive in asking for challenging assignments, offering to lead a new business pitch, or volunteering to train new hires. Outside the office, bolster your professional development by taking ongoing educational classes, joining industry boards and committees, and connecting with those who inspire you professionally.

It’s never enjoyable to feel lost professionally. But by following these three steps, you’ll quickly get your career back on track.