Do you feel like it's time for a change? Are you counting the hours as soon as you get to the office, behind your computer screen at home, or in that coffee shop you love so much? Do you wish you could follow your passion or feel more challenged in your current career?

If you're stuck in a career rut, you're not alone. Career stagnation is a common issue many people face at some point in their working lives. It's one of the main reasons people come to me for help. We get stuck in our careers for various reasons – we might not be happy with what we're doing or feel like we've hit a dead end. Sometimes we feel like there's more we could be doing with our lives or that we're just not progressing in the way we want to. Financial concerns often play a part in it, too, as we feel like we can't afford to make a change or take a risk.

Whatever the reason you might feel stuck right now, there are a few key traps that can lead to career stagnation, and it's essential to be aware of them to get unstuck or to avoid them altogether.

What to do when you feel stuck in your career?

If you're feeling stuck in your career, taking action and making some changes is crucial. Otherwise, you'll only become unhappy and feel like you're wasting your time.

If there's one thing I know about helping hundreds of people get unstuck, the longer you wait, the more stuck you feel. Another reason why so many people stay stuck is that they overthink things to the point of never taking any action at all. Instead of doing something about our situation, most of us wait until the magical day when we won't feel so stuck anymore before we do something about our situation.

The problem is, you cannot think yourself out of anything. If you want to change, eventually, you have to go out and do something. This article will explore the five worst career stagnation traps and how you can avoid them to get unstuck and move your career forward.

Trap 1: You're in the wrong career

The first trap is self-explanatory – you might be in the wrong career altogether. If you're in the wrong career, you're not going to be challenged, you're not going to enjoy what you're doing, and you're not going to feel motivated or fulfilled. This is a common problem and is often the root cause of career stagnation.

The only way to get out of this trap is to make a career change. And while that might seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be. Plenty of resources are available to help you figure out what you want to do and how to make the transition. Career coaching can be a great way to get some guidance and support if you're unsure how to start.

Trap 2: You're in the wrong job

The second trap is similar to the first, but it's not as drastic. You might be in the right career but in the wrong job. This can happen for several reasons – maybe you took a job because it was the only one available at the time, or you took it for the money without thinking about whether you would actually like it.

Whatever the reason, it will be difficult to feel challenged or motivated if you're in the wrong job. The good news is that this is an easier problem to solve than being in the wrong career. You don't necessarily have to make a career change, but you might need to make a job change.

You can do a few things to figure out if you're in the wrong job. First, ask yourself whether you actually like what you're doing on a day-to-day basis. If the answer is no, it's time to start looking for something else. Second, think about whether the job is challenging you and making you grow. If it's not, you'll probably not feel fulfilled in the long run. Finally, look at the company culture and values – are they aligned with your own? If not, it might be time to move on.

Trap 3: You're not progressing

The third trap is that you might be stuck in a job that's just not going anywhere. You're not being promoted, you're not being given more responsibility, your skills are being underutilized, and you feel like you're just treading water. This can be a frustrating situation to be in, especially if you're ambitious and want to move up in your career.

The first thing to do is to have a conversation with your boss about your career goals and what you need to do to progress. If they're unwilling to help you, it might be time to look for another job. But even if they're willing to help, there might not be any room for progression in your current role. In that case, you might need to look for a new job anyway.

Sometimes your lack of progress is not due to a lack of opportunity or promotions but because you're too comfortable. If you're comfortable with where you are in your career, it can be tempting to stay there. But comfort can lead to complacency, and if you're not challenged, you might start to feel bored or unchallenged in your role. It's important to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and try new things, even if it means taking a risk.

Trap 4: You're in the right career, but you're not being challenged

The fourth trap is that you might be in a job that's just too easy. Especially for creatives and entrepreneurs (as well as creative generalists), it's important to be challenged to use our intellectual and creative skills. If you're not being challenged, you're not learning anything new. This can be just as frustrating as the last trap because it can make you feel like you're wasting your time.

The solution to this problem is similar to the previous one – you must find ways to challenge yourself. This might mean taking on more responsibility at work or finding side projects or hobbies that push you outside your comfort zone. It's also essential to continuously learn and keep up with new trends in your industry. This can be done by reading books, attending conferences, or taking courses.

Trap 5: You're not aligned with your interests and passions

The fifth and final trap is that you might be in a job you don't love or that isn't aligned with the stuff that makes you get out of bed in the morning. Maybe you took it for the money or because it was the only thing available then. But whatever the reason, if you're not passionate about your work, and if the work isn't interesting to you, then it's going to be challenging to feel motivated.

The only way to get out of this trap is to make a career change. And while that might seem daunting, it's important to remember that staying where you are will only make you stagnate more, not less.

Making a career change can be a big decision, but it's important to remember that you're not stuck in your current situation. If you're unhappy with your career, there are things you can do to change it. The first thing to do is to identify which of the five traps you might fall into. Once you've done that, you can start taking steps to get out of the trap and move forward with your career.