How to Focus After a Mid-Career Slump
Posted January 18th, 2017
Once you’ve been a part of the workforce for around 20 years, it’s common to feel like you’re stuck in a bit of a rut. Maybe you’ve been in the same position for years or have grown overly comfortable with your daily tasks. Regardless of the cause, you don’t have to accept this as your new normal for the rest of your career. In fact, there is still plenty of time to experience something that reinvigorates you and makes you excited to return to work every day.
So, how do you take the second half of your manufacturing career and make it a bigger adventure than the first? By looking at it as an opportunity for change.
Evaluate Your Dreams
There’s a decent chance that the career goals you had when you entered the workforce don’t completely reflect what you dream about doing today. So, feel free to change things up now that you have experience in the field. Think about what sort of job duties you would enjoy or if there is something you would like to learn that you haven’t had a chance to yet.
By considering what peaks your interest, you can help identify where you would ultimately like to be. Then, you can create a new idea for the rest of your career instead of dwelling on goals that may not actually be your goals anymore.
Make a Plan
Planning your career is just as important today as it was when you began. Now that you have a new idea of where you’d like your career to go, formulate a plan for making that a reality. Consider whether you need additional training or education, or if you need to seek employment opportunities elsewhere. Focus on mapping out a step-by-step plan to success, and see what it takes to get to from where you are to where you want to be.
Reach Out
As you determine what road you need to take to reach your new goals, it is time to get your network involved. This could be as simple as communicating with those with which you are currently connected, or taking steps to get to know the right people. Regardless of the method, it is important to open the lines of communication.
Many people find new opportunities based on the connections they have and not the positions listed on a job board. So find people who are working in positions that lead to your dream, and begin to stretch your network to reach them.
Embrace Change
If your new career goals have you leaving your current line of work, don’t be afraid to explore what that would take. Look into educational opportunities or research whether your current skills can transition you into something new. Or, if you want to give a new position a try before you fully commit, see if there are midlevel internships or volunteer opportunities that would let you get some hands-on experience.
While it may be a risk to try something new, it can be one worth taking. You may find yourself one step closer to your new dream job or, if it doesn’t pan out, you have your cumulative experience to help you secure a new position.
If you are interested in trying something new, whether with a new company or in an entirely new field, the professionals at Bayside Solutions can help you take the next step on your new career path. Contact us today and let our experience help get you moving in the right direction.
