How to Overcome Career Stagnation

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?

This is a very tough time for myself, and my little family. However. The difficulty isn’t going to get the results I need. So here is a reminder, (for myself & for others) to find the strength when your heart is exhausted. “Turning Negatives into Positives: Regaining Professional & Personal Momentum 💼✨ We all face setbacks in our careers, but it's how we handle them that truly defines our success. Here are the reminders I’ll share, in hopes that we will transform negatives into positives and reignite our momentum: 1. **Acknowledge and Reflect:** Start by acknowledging the negative experiences or setbacks. Take time to reflect on what went wrong and what you've learned from it. This self-awareness is crucial for growth. 2. **Shift Perspective:** Challenge yourself to see the situation from a different angle. Instead of dwelling on the failure, focus on the opportunities that can arise from it. What skills did you develop? What new doors might open? 3. **Set Clear Goals:** Define your desired outcome. Set clear, achievable goals that align with your long-term vision. Breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps will make them less daunting. 4. **Learn and Adapt:** Use the setback as a learning experience. Analyze what you could have done differently and apply those lessons moving forward. Adaptability & coachability is key to professional growth. 5. **Positive Self-Talk:** Train your mind to focus on the positive aspects of your journey. Replace self-doubt with affirmations that reinforce your abilities and potential. 6. **Seek Support:** Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or friends for guidance and encouragement. They can offer fresh perspectives and valuable advice to help you navigate challenges. 7. **Skill Enhancement:** Invest in continuous learning. Acquiring new skills not only boosts your confidence but also makes you a more versatile and valuable asset in your field. 8. **Network and Connect:** Attend industry events, seminars, and workshops to expand your network. Building relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities, friendship and collaborations. 9. **Celebrate Progress:** Acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest victories along the way. Each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to your overall progress.☀️☀️☀️ 10. **Stay Persistent:** Regaining positive momentum takes time. Stay persistent and committed to your goals, even when faced with obstacles. Your determination will eventually pay off.🙏 Remember, setbacks are a natural part of any career journey. Embrace them as opportunities for growth and transformation. 🔥🚀 #CareerGrowth #PositiveMomentum"

Despite a rocky start as a software engineer at Google, I was able to compensate for 2.5 years of career stagnation with 2 promotions within one year, followed by becoming a Tech Lead. How did I do it? I took charge of my career and doubled down on my self-management skills. In the workplace, self-management is one’s ability to solve problems independently, show self-awareness, and operate autonomously. For optimal career growth, you still need to self-manage even if you have a manager. Managers don’t have the time or energy to handhold everyone. It’s not a scalable management strategy. When you self-manage, you're not only lightening your manager's workload but you’re also positioning yourself to receive more strategic and high-level guidance. That way, instead of discussing tactical things you can figure out on your own, you and your manager can spend your precious 1-1 time talking about where your career is heading, and how to get grow and get to the next level. The skills needed to self-manage: 1/ You can manage your timelines and deliverables 2/ You can make decisions independently 3/ You find the drive within yourself to start and keep going 4/ You can deal with your emotions in stressful situations 5/ You handle most conflicts on your own without needing to escalate 6/ You don't need your manager to give constructive feedback to others 7/ You build and manage your stakeholders 8/ You own your career development To read my story and learn more about how to build each of these skills, read my in-depth explainer: https://lnkd.in/dppGXpja

One of the biggest career setbacks people face is sticking around at a job they are increasingly disengaged with. So many of you have reached out to me because you’re curious about consulting or starting your side hustle. Everyone thinks if they want to start consulting, they need to quit their jobs tomorrow, but here’s the thing - if you realize you want to make a change, that doesn’t mean you need to walk out the door right away. Acknowledging you’re in a career setback does not require you to completely blow your life up. In fact, I highly recommend you think twice before you give up that steady paycheck. Last week I participated in an Instagram Live with Neha Leela Ruch's Mother Untitled, and so many people in her community wanted to know how to get started in consulting while still holding down a full time job. The biggest barrier to building while you’re a 9-5 employee is time. Your job demands so much of you, but you still want to focus on what comes next. So what do you do if you know you’ll eventually want to make a move but aren’t ready to do anything drastic just yet? Feel free to try out my “monthly milestones method.” To start laying the foundation for what you eventually want to build and overcome the barrier of not having enough time, set out to accomplish one milestone every month. So how does it work? Make a goal every single month. Dedicate 15 minutes a few days a week to working towards this mini-milestone. Maybe start month one by writing up your capabilities and services. Then once you’ve articulated what those are, use month two to build your website. Buy a domain. Pick a Squarespace template and play around. Month three can be all about finance. Set up your invoicing process. Go from there. Design a logo. Write your first client proposal. Form your LLC. (Fun fact: this is also how I planned my wedding in 2016 - and I have shared my iconic wedding planning spreadsheet with so many of you in the years since.) When you build out these small steps towards creating your own business but you keep your goals manageable by setting out to accomplish only one milestone every month, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and have a solid foundation in place by spring 2024. Here's a sampling of how you can approach months 1-3. So, what are you waiting for?

Sometimes job seeker come to me when they're unhappy with the current role looking for something new. We've all been there. That sinking feeling on Sunday night, the dread that creeps in as you inch closer to your desk. If you're finding yourself increasingly unenthused by your current work situation, know this- you're not alone! But feeling stuck is one thing, staying stuck is another. Here's your roadmap to ditch the hamster wheel and find work you love: 1. Self Reflection: Before hitting "career crisis," understand why you're unhappy. Dull tasks? Misaligned skills? Toxic vibes? Pinpointing the culprit helps plot your escape route. 2. Rekindle the Spark: Not all hope is lost! Volunteer for new projects, seek mentorship, or talk to your manager about adjustments. Sometimes, a tweak is all it takes to rediscover passion. 3. Reassess Your Priorities: Maybe the unhappiness goes deeper. Is this role aligned with your overall career goals? What kind of impact do you want to make? Clarifying these questions guides your next move, whether it's a course correction or a bold career shift. 4. Upskill & Recharge: No matter your decision, invest in yourself! Online courses, workshops, or networking in your desired field keeps you engaged, expands options, and boosts confidence. 5. Prepare for Your Next Chapter (Gracefully): Leaving seems inevitable? Update your resume, build your online presence, and discreetly reach out to your network. Remember, professionalism is key – bridges you burn might lead to future opportunities. This is your journey, not a race. Celebrate small victories, listen to your gut, and don't hesitate to reach out for support. And hey, I'm here to help! Feel free to reach out.

Is a career step down real for new immigrants to Canada? 🤔 First and foremost, it's essential to recognize that the concept of a career "step down" is not set in stone. It varies depending on factors like industry, market conditions, and the demand for your skills. My Personal Experience: When I immigrated, I took step’s’ back in my career. However, my experience and skills allowed me to bounce back quickly. Here are some key points to consider as a new immigrant facing a similar situation: - Don't Judge by Title: Avoid making comparisons based solely on job titles. Consider factors like industry size, company size, job responsibilities, and compensation. For example: A senior manager in a 100$mm revenue company or business size may be equivalent to a manager in a billion dollar revenue size company. - Value Experience: Immigrating and starting fresh in a new market brings forth unique opportunities, such as the chance to embrace diverse roles and projects that enrich your skill set. Contrary to doing the same thing repeatedly, this journey prompts us to ask: When you claim five years of experience, is it genuinely five years of growth, or is it merely one year of experience repeated five times? Real experience stems from pushing boundaries, venturing outside your comfort zone, staying curious, never resting on your laurels, and constantly expanding your knowledge. Immigration to Canada offers precisely this opportunity. - Persevere: Embrace perseverance; view career setbacks as the tension in a catapult, essential for a powerful launch. Utilize this time to cultivate additional skills or pursue your passions on the side. For instance, I kickstarted my e-commerce venture, which later paved the way for my exciting journey on YouTube, career/success coach (details in the comments). - Long-Term Perspective: Overnight success is decade in the making: envision your career, or any life endeavor, with a 10-year perspective. What we perceive as success is merely the tip of the iceberg, concealing countless hours, sweat, and years of dedication beneath the surface. Therefore, a year or two of setbacks, as long as they steer you in the right direction, are insignificant in the grand scheme of your journey. - Network and Gain Experience: Taking a lower-level position can help you connect with professionals in your field and gain valuable Canadian work experience, which is highly regarded by employers. This can help you to find your dream job down the road. - Consider the Whole Package: Despite all I shared above sometimes, you may need to compromise on your career trajectory. But weigh this against the overall improvement in your quality of life for you and your family, which can be especially significant for immigrants from third-world countries like myself. Remember, success is a journey, and resilience is your greatest ally. Embrace the challenges and seize the opportunities that Canada offers to newcomers. Love to get your thoughts.

Change is a choice. But so is stagnation. Growing up, I was taught to aim for perfection. To never falter or deviate from the path laid out for me. This quest for perfection became my prison, stifling my growth and leaving me fearful of every possible change. Then, life threw me into the deep end. I was tasked with starting a new business unit from scratch, despite knowing nothing about it. This experience taught me the power of embracing change. It transformed me from a doctor into an entrepreneur. I learned to see change not as a threat, but as the very essence of growth. Here's how to harness change in 5 steps: 1️⃣ Acknowledge the Fear - Recognize what holds you back. Is it fear of failure, or something else? 2️⃣ Educate Yourself - Change feels less daunting when you understand what you're dealing with. 3️⃣ Start Small - Big changes are a series of small steps. Take the first one. 4️⃣ Seek Support - You're not alone. Lean on mentors, networks, and communities. 5️⃣ Reflect and Adapt - Change is not a one-time act. It's an ongoing process of adaptation. Change has been my ally, not my adversary. It's reshaped my career, my identity, and my life's work. Embracing change turned my once-perceived failures into stepping stones for success. ✍️Your turn: What change are you holding back from? ♻️ Know someone struggling with embracing change? Share this post with them.

Early on, I struggled to deal with career setbacks and went on downward spirals. I eventually understood that setbacks were a normal part of everyone's career and build mental models to bounce back stronger and faster. A friend of mine who was having a great career at a top tier company suffered a setback and turned into a shell of themselves. Looking at their struggles motivated me to put together a talk on "Bouncing back from career setbacks". I talk about my own career setbacks. And share a framwork for dealing with career setbacks: 1. Self-Compassion 2. Radical Acceptance 3. Isolate Learnings 4. Develop Skill Growth Plan 5. Redefine Career Goals 6. Find Balanced Life 7. Social Comparison 8. Build Accountability & Support System If you are struggling with dealing with a career setback, take a listen. If someone you know is struggling with a career setback, please share it with them. https://lnkd.in/gXi-dPQg I have a lot of gratitude for my managers and coaches who supported me through those journeys. Thank You!