Are You Stuck?

If you feel you are stuck in your job because there is nothing else you could do, I encourage you to put on your creative cap and think about different things you could do. Start by making a list of activities you have done that you enjoyed. These could be things from your work life, community or church activities, or other aspects of your personal life. If you feel your job has changed over time and you no longer enjoy most of the tasks you do, also list the previous tasks you did that you enjoyed. Spend some time creating your list, and then begin identifying the common themes in the activities you identified. Does it include planning the project, creating something, helping people, etc.? Review that information to get ideas about activities that you may want to include in your new work situation. Then work on creating a list of career possibilities that would include your preferred activities. Include all careers you can think of - even if they are not your most attractive options. Just knowing that you have options can help you expand the list of possibilities for serious consideration. Once you have narrowed your list of possible career directions, you may need to do some checking to find out what the actual requirements are for each option, skills needed, values that may be met in that type of work, and other important factors. Then you can eliminate any options that would require more preparation than you are willing/able to undertake. Work through your remaining list to prioritize the potential career directions you have identified and develop your plan to achieve that career or occupational situation. Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing career coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is recognized as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/. To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.