When you were younger, you may have looked forward to the time when you’d be well into your career and totally thriving. But as many people actually move into the workforce and get some experience under their belts, they often find that they’re a bit disillusioned by what their chosen career really entails and how it fits into their life. Luckily, there are usually things that you can do to make these kinds of situations better, regardless of why you might be feeling this way or what’s going on.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three things to try when you’re struggling within your career.
Find Support From Within Your Organization
When you’re having a difficult time at work, one of the first things that you should do is seek out support from within your organization.
If you’re comfortable speaking with your boss or supervisor about how you’re feeling and what’s going on, they can be an invaluable resource to you. They may be able to work with you to make adjustments to your work or your workload so that things are more manageable to you.
Additionally, speaking with your coworkers or colleagues can also be beneficial. Especially if the feelings that you’re having are common to people in your line of work, being able to speak about these things could be just what you need to start working through what’s going on. This type of peer coaching, be it formal like with a nurse health coach or informal as you go out with coworkers when you clock out, can be a great way to get the help you need.
Look For Support Outside Of Your Organization
Sometimes, there might not be people that you work directly with that you want to seek help from. Luckily, this isn’t your only option. There are also people outside of your organization that can and will support you as well.
Depending on your career, you might be able to find groups like the National Police Association or teachers’ unions that are meant to be there and support people in these chosen fields. You can also seek out counseling from professionals either in your field or in mental health who can help you see past what you’re going through now and help you make a plan for a brighter future.
Give Yourself A Break
In some situations, what can be incredibly helpful when you’re feeling overwhelmed at work or like you’re struggling with your career is to just take a step back for a minute. So if you’re able to, consider taking a short vacation or even just a mental health day so that you can put away the stresses of your job for a short time and refocus on what you’re doing and who you are. This can be a great way to give yourself the care you need and allow you to potentially look at problems and issues in a new light when you get back to work.
If you’re having a particularly hard time within your career right now, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you figure out how you can work through this successfully.
