Messages come at you relentlessly: 

·        You are a success in your current role. 

·        Be grateful you have a job. 

·        The grass is not always greener on the other side.

So, you stay long after the excitement is gone. And you feel stuck.

Your career functions very much like a capsule, a container that protects you and offers comfort. Yet, career capsules are also deceptively fragile. Intellectually you know your security could dissolve at any moment due to circumstances outside your control. But you stay because the unknown of the next chapter is just too scary.

As you rollercoaster through the good days and the bad, your self-esteem takes a beating. You see others starting entrepreneurial ventures, changing jobs, and stepping into unchartered territory. It looks great, but you wonder, how do they sleep at night?

Your desire to protect your current career capsule makes sense. You have bills to pay, a track record of success, and relationships you value. You might feel guilty about leaving or perhaps other people in your life enjoy the benefit of your career capsule, so they pressure you (overtly or covertly) to hang in there.

I do not think it is the end of the world if you stay in a job that has lost its luster. The potential downsides of walking away from a steady paycheck, benefits, and retirement are substantial. Stop feeling guilty! You are functioning as a highly responsible, logical human.

Here’s the good news: You are your own best medicine. Here are some steps you can take to unleash your potential without risking everything you have worked so hard to protect:

·        Take a measured approach. Test out your alternatives, invest in a certificate program, or conduct some informational interviews. You can explore options while maintaining the security of your current role.

·        Take a comprehensive career self-assessment. Find out what makes you tick. Determine what values drive you at the deepest level. Identify your natural strengths. Gain the validation and direction that comes from self-knowledge.

·        Ask for help. Find a mentor or a career coach who can give you both support and perspective. Manage your emotions and avoid impulsive choices. Plot your strategy with input from others you trust.



I leave you with this, you can be happy in your career for long periods of time. But, as you grow, your career may not always grow with you. It may be time for a new career capsule.