Stuck in a Rut Get Out of Your Career Comfort Zone

Stuck in a Rut Get Out of Your Career Comfort Zone Stuck in a Rut Get Out of Your Career Comfort Zone We’ve probably all heard this old adage when it comes to fitness: to exercise muscles in new ways, get out of your comfort zone, and achieve better- and motivating- results. The same advice applies when it comes to your career: move beyond your zone of familiarity if you’ve been stuck in the same job, using the same skills, and interacting with the same people in the same ways.   Especially for those of us who are mid-career, it’s easy to get comfortable with what we know, if we’ve achieved a certain level of success- not to mention the comfort of getting a regular paycheck. But therein lies the rub. Moving out of your comfort zone can be scary, but it’s really the smart thing to do when it comes to your career. And that means more than just finding ways to keep your skills current. It means keeping your resume fresh by exploring completely new skills, taking classes that move you to think about your current job in new ways, or finding a spark that may even fire you up toward a new career altogether. Working in a traditional office environment can be another kind of “comfort zone.”  Just as pushing yourself in a fitness program can be inspiring, finding work that offers the benefit of a flexible schedule or a telecommuting option can push you in new and unexpected directions. Here are some ideas to help get you out of your career comfort zone: 1. Take an online career assessment. If you’re stuck in a career rut, you might be stuck in the wrong career entirely. A number of organizations offer free online tests that can help you figure out which career might make you happy. 2. Find a course that teaches you something completely new. Especially in the ever-evolving world of technology, there’s always new stuff to learn. What’s more, looking at activities you may think of as recreational passions may be a good place to start cooking, crafts, gardening, or anything that floats your boat. 3. Experiment on the side. Telecommuting and flexible jobs are particularly adaptable for people thinking of breaking out of their current career mold. Remote work for a company in a new field may give you a fresh perspective. 4. Tap into your inner entrepreneur. If what you really want is to be your own boss, then “hanging out a shingle” can be the truest expression of moving out of your current comfort zone and into something completely different. Money concerns may an issue, so some advanced financial planning may be in order. Above all, remind yourself: change is good! It can be intimidating, but change can lead to real growth, both personally and professionally. Readers, are you stuck in a career comfort zone? Tell us about it in the comments section below!