Career stagnation is not a failure, but a signal. A signal that it’s time to pause, reassess your path, and move forward — consciously. In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step plan to get out of the feeling of being stuck and regain your career energy.

1. Acknowledge that you are truly stuck

This is not weakness or “just psychology.” It’s an honest starting point. You are not lazy or “too picky” — you are looking for a path that aligns with your values, experience, and desires.

Recommended reading:
📘 “Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Career” — Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
This book is based on the Stanford d.school approach and helps you rethink your career path through a series of exercises.

2. Identify what exactly is dissatisfying

Stagnation can be caused by various factors:
— You’ve outgrown your current role
— No development or challenge
— A mismatch between the company’s values and yours
— Loss of meaning

Break the situation down into components and identify where exactly it “hurts.”

3. Reconnect with your strengths and interests

What are you good at? What gives you energy, even when you’re tired? Sometimes we forget what brings satisfaction because we’ve spent too long in “survival mode.”

🛠 Tip: Use a personal SWOT analysis — evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Recommended reading:
📘 “The Strength in You: How to Discover Your Talents and Find Your Life’s Work” — Toma Zentay
A practical book with examples and tools for self-discovery.

4. Experiment

You don’t have to quit or switch fields right away. Try new things gradually: take on a project in a related area, apply for an internal position, or work with a career coach.

🌱 Small actions lead to big changes.

5. Build a new career plan

Once you’ve gathered insights, it’s time to build a conscious strategy. It may include:
• new skills
• a shift in focus
• preparing for a new level (e.g., leadership)
• or even a pause — as a resource, not a defeat

Stagnation is not a dead end, but an invitation to grow. If you feel like you’ve stopped — it means it’s time for the next step. And that step doesn’t have to be drastic or dramatic. It can be small, experimental, but your own.

You are not alone. Everyone has periods of doubt and searching. What’s important is not to stay stuck alone, but to seek support, dialogue, and structure.