| Sitting here this morning working at home (I | | | | Confusion over your future. Confusion over |
| am a Realtor), I turned on the television. | | | | which step to take next. |
| One of the all-time great daytime shows was | | | | |
| on - The Price is Right! Bob Barker, what a | | | | So how do respond to stagnant career |
| career! What if he had not taken of advantage | | | | syndrome? First of all, don't concentrate on |
| of the opportunity when it was presented 35 | | | | failures only. Sure, you should identify the |
| years ago? How did walking through that door | | | | things that are working. They may not be |
| of opportunity change his life? I am sure he | | | | producing results at the level you desire but |
| would have found success in other places but | | | | they are contributing positively to your |
| would it have been at the same level? No one | | | | career goals. You should also identify the |
| really knows the answer to that question. | | | | things that are not working. Write all of |
| But, we do know the answer to what saying | | | | these activities down. When you put the |
| "yes" to that opportunity did for him! | | | | issues on paper the picture will become |
| | | | better focused. Put the goal or objective on |
| What about you and your career? Have there | | | | paper. |
| been opportunities that presented themselves | | | | |
| but you refused to "walk through that door?" | | | | What are some changes that need to be |
| If so, why not? Is the fear of the unknown | | | | implemented? Perhaps it is something as |
| such an intense fear that you are frozen in | | | | simple as obtaining additional education or |
| place? Is the comfort level such that you | | | | skillsets. Perhaps it is just the environment |
| don't want to upset the apple cart? | | | | in which you are operating? Don't forget that |
| | | | those around you may be the anchor holding |
| Change is something we as humans don't | | | | your career down? It could be the processes |
| embrace, at least enthusiastically. Even in | | | | you are doing are appropriate yet the |
| your current position are you ever presented | | | | environment does not support your success. |
| with changes to rules or procedures? What is | | | | Lets say you are a farmer. You have the |
| your initial reaction? Are you so set in your | | | | technique mastered for planting a garden. You |
| ways that adapting to change creates stress? | | | | know the time of the year to plant, the types |
| Sometimes change is good. I heard it said | | | | of crop your environment favors, how to |
| once, or maybe read it someplace, that if | | | | operate the necessary equipment, all the |
| "you always do what you always done, you will | | | | steps. However, if the soil (environment) is |
| always get what you always got." There is | | | | not appropriate for the desired results, |
| truth to be found in those words! Is there | | | | nothing will ever develop. If a crop does |
| not a better way to do what you do? | | | | result from your efforts, it may not produce |
| | | | the greatest harvest for the efforts |
| Dissatisfaction with your current situation | | | | expended. To maximize the return on the |
| is a sign that you need to implement some | | | | efforts, the farmer simply must plant in the |
| type of change. Perhaps it is only a | | | | right soil, or modify the soil by way of |
| procedural modification? Perhaps it is a new | | | | fertilizers, in which to maximize his return. |
| focus. When things get stagnant we often are | | | | |
| suffering from tunnel vision. Opening up to | | | | After all, this analysis the only |
| new ideas, new methodologies, is the first | | | | modification required my be a change in your |
| step to recovery - recovery from the disease | | | | environment. Or, a modification in the |
| of the stagnant career syndrome. | | | | environment. Time to make a change to your |
| | | | environment? Recognize the situation for what |
| What are the symptoms of stagnant career | | | | it is and plant your crop in a new soil! You |
| syndrome? Some of the symptoms include a lack | | | | may have no idea how great the harvest will |
| of enthusiasm, seeing the glass as half empty | | | | be. Taking advantage of opportunities and |
| (pessimism), repetitive processes without | | | | resources available may be all that is need |
| positive results and dissatisfied contentment | | | | to cure this thing - stagnant career |
| (oxymoron?). These manifestations, when | | | | syndrome. Good luck and may your harvest be |
| combined, leave you in a state of confusion. | | | | bountiful! |