If you’re mid-career and feeling stuck, it can help to take some time to reassess where you are and what you want out of your career. It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of your long-term goals. Here are a few things you can do to get back on track and find joy in your work again:
1. Grow your network.
One of the best things you can do for your career is to expand your professional network. Connect with people in your field, attend industry events, or join a professional organization. Plus, talking to new people can give you a fresh perspective on industry trends and may even open up new opportunities.
2. Learn a new skill.
If you’re feeling stagnant in your career, learning a new skill can be a great way to shake things up. Taking on a new challenge can help you feel more engaged and motivated at work. Adding a new skill to your resume can also make you more attractive to future employers. Take a class, read some books, or do some online research to learn something new.
3. Rethink your finances.
If you’re unhappy with your current situation, it might be time to reconsider your financial goals. Evaluate your budget and see where you can make some changes. Perhaps you need to save more money for a future career move or invest in yourself by taking courses or attending conferences.
You might be well on your way in saving for retirement, but mid-career can be a good time to think ahead to alternative sources of retirement funding. For example, you might consider a permanent life insurance policy like universal life insurance, which comes with a guaranteed death benefit. Permanent life insurance also has a cash value component that grows over time, and you can borrow against the cash value for any reason (it’s important to note that borrowing against the cash value will affect the death benefit until you’ve paid the loan plus interest back in full). This can become a source of additional cash flow in retirement, especially during market downturns when you don’t want to take money from your market-dependent investments. It can also help you manage taxes.
4. Remember why you’re in your line of work.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget why you got into your chosen field in the first place. Take some time to reflect on what you enjoy about your job and what motivates you. Reconnecting with your passion can help reignite your love for your career. Thinking about why you started in your field can also help you realize your motivations have changed over time. If you’re no longer passionate about what you’re doing, it might be time to consider a change.
5. Reconnect with your passions.
If you’re feeling uninspired at work, it might be because you’re not doing something you’re passionate about. Take some time to reconnect with the things you love outside of work. Pursue a hobby, volunteer for a cause you care about, or take a trip to somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. When you bring more passion into your life, it can be infectious and make your work feel more meaningful. You may even find a way to incorporate your passions into your work.
6. Consider a career change (or realignment)
If you’re really unhappy with your current situation, it might be time for a complete career change. This can be a big decision, so do your research and make sure it’s the right choice for you. But if you’re feeling unfulfilled in your work, a career change could be just what you need to get back on track.
A career change could also mean a slight pivot. Likely, your field has changed since you started, and new opportunities are available. Maybe you’re in sales and want to move from a corporate environment to a non-profit or tech to do something that aligns more with your interests. Maybe there are opportunities in your organization to take on new projects or join committees. Making a fulfilling career change might just take putting a few feelers out there.
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