How to... get out of a career slump
Because it's not all goals, goals, goals in January is it?
Welcome back to Lead with Intention!
How are you feeling today?
No, really?
I ask this, because I think it’s the most valuable question we can ask ourselves and others during the cruelest month of the year.
Along with…
How can I help?
If you do anything today at work, ask yourself and others around you, these two questions. And see what unfolds…
(And if I can help in any way, then you know where I am…)
Anyway, what’s this got to do with leadership Louise?
Here’s what…
The prevailing narrative is always that January should be the most productive month for our careers. We should emerge from the holidays fully prepped, rested and ready to go. Ready to smash our appraisals, set those goals, go forth and conquer.
And yes, January can be a great month for this. (And here are some primers on goal setting and nailing your appraisals if you need them.) But if like so many people, this month is a STRUGGLE - for so many reasons (mine include the menopause and the weather, because I’m 48 and a Brit, your mileage will vary of course!) - then consider this your official permission to cut yourself some slack.
Now, let’s get real shall we? I’m not advocating you stop showing up for work, or start doing a bad job. But simply give yourself some grace if you’re not firing on all cylinders right now. This month will end, the sun wil come out again and you will find your way back to full productivity in a way that works for you.
So, if you’re feeling it today (I mean, the rain actually does not stop does it…), then here’s my advice on how to navigate and eventually exit any career or professional slump you may find yourself in. As a leadership and career coach, I work with so many brilliant senior professionals who need some headspace and a safe place to explore what’s on their mind, so consider this your space today.
The very first thing I want to recommend to you is this video, which I’ve shared before, because it’s…magical. When we’re thinking about how we want to feel at work and in our career, I use THIS as my barometer. Do i have shiny eyes at work? Do the people I work with have shiny eyes?
AKA are we finding joy, presence, connectivity, purpose and meaning in our work?
Take 5 minutes out of your week and watch this, then reflect on the question I’ve just posed you. Really think about it and sit with the answers honestly. What is your self-reflection telling you about how you feel right now about your work?
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And here’s my advice as a leadership and career coach (and importantly, someone that has navigated the ups and downs of corporate life over more than 20 years - yikes I’m old!) if you want to beat the January blues and get your professional year back on track…