Do you have career blues?

Usually hits me every 2 years, like clockwork.

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Every 2 years on the job, like clockwork, something happens in my brain: All of a sudden I’d start to get antsy. You probably know what I mean. That phase where your current job turns into yesterday's leftovers, and new opportunities look like a five-star dinner. And the recruiting pitches never help. Constantly painting an enchanting picture of a bustling 'hyper-growth' company with a stellar culture where you’re apparently "the chosen one" the hiring manager has been dreaming about (or some other bullshit narrative). Consequently, you start nitpicking at your current role—those pointless meetings, the dreadful planning processes, and, oh, that one colleague you don’t get along with…

Suddenly, the current job feels like it’s holding you back and jumping ship appears to be the only salvation.

Career blues are real

Career blues leave you feeling tired, unfulfilled, and restless. Could I be doing more? Should I be doing more? Am I missing out by staying where I am? AM I FALLING BEHIND? And the feeling is crushing times, blurring your vision.

LinkedIn does not help. Everyone’s profiles look like rocket ships and the feed is filled with new job announcements and promotions humblebrags. Failures, stress, tears are masterfully omitted.

However, here's a plot twist: Diving headfirst into another role might just set you up for a sequel of the stagnation you're trying to escape from. It's riskier and potentially gloomier than giving your current job a TLC. 

Here are a couple of harsh realities to watch out for:

• Misaligned Recruiter Goals: Recruiting is on a mission to 'catch' you, not necessarily ensure a happily ever after. Job descriptions might as well be fairy tales full of rainbows and unicorns – the kind that apparently have a knack for pooping revenue. Yet, the untold chapters reveal internal chaos, cross-functional gridlocks, over-controlling managers (and, ahem, CEOs), the product is a feature factory, and/or that nobody has any idea why they are growing. And hey, recruiters, no shade. Y'all are stellar within the orbits you're trapped in.

• Your Role in *Their* Story: If things go south, to the company, you're just a blip. They'll bid you adieu and roll out the red carpet for the next starry-eyed candidate. But for you, the spotlight lingers. Explaining that "brief stint" becomes your recurring monologue for a decade. Questions about "Why didn't it work out?" and "Why did you leave so soon?" will never stop.

Yes, that’s right: There's a high chance of déjà vu, where the new gig feels eerily like the old one—or potentially an even more chaotic reality.

So, the next time the grass looks greener, remember: sometimes, it's just better lighting.

What to do instead? 

Here are 3 steps I recommend taking to avoid falling into the career blues:

1. Commit to regular reevaluation

2. Give your current job a makeover

3. Explore career optionality

Commit to regular reevaluation

It's easy to get caught up in the routine of just drifting along in our career. However, true success requires effort and dedication. Part of this commitment is regularly assessing your job and the overall job market to ensure you're in the best possible position.

So, when recruiters reach out, take it as an opportunity. But remember to be diligent and reverse interview relentlessly.

Always make a conscious decision about your current role. Don't simply remain in a job due to a perceived lack of options. Actively weigh out the opportunities in front of you and make the choice to stay based on genuine desire, not just by default. Remember, while other opportunities might seem more enticing from a distance, appearances can be deceiving. What looks like lush, green grass might just be artificial turf. By evaluating other roles, you might find that you appreciate your current position even more.

I go as far as encouraging my team to interview at least once a year. I want them to make an explicit decision to stay on my team, not to just blindly go with the flow. And sometimes better opportunities present themselves, which I’m ready to support them in :)

Give your current job a makeover

Does your current workload seem monotonous? Do you feel as though you've hit a plateau in your learning? Do you often feel unappreciated? I have just one question for you: Have you discussed these feelings with your manager?

Too frequently, we expect our managers to be psychic, hoping they will simply recognize our value and automatically present us with new opportunities. But let's step into the shoes of a manager for a moment: If they do see you performing well, they may not want to risk distracting you with other assignments. Or, they simply may not have anyone else suitable to take on your current tasks. Or maybe, just maybe, they don’t even know about your career aspirations. 

Here's what I recommend doing:

1. Open a Dialogue with Your Manager: Discuss your aspirations. It's essential for your manager to understand your goals and, ideally, to be eager to support you in achieving them. Managers often have visibility on various opportunities where you could be a good fit, but they need to be aware of your aspirations and direction.

2. Consider Your Succession Plan: If there are tasks that now feel routine to you, consider delegating them to someone else. This could be a valuable learning experience for them and might free you up to tackle newer challenges.

3. Set Realistic Expectations: Remember that significant changes don't happen overnight. Everything has its own time and place. Find a balance between being overly assertive and too passive. Consider having quarterly discussions with your manager, where you set clear and measurable goals within a timeline that suits both of you.

With an action plan in place and internal allies to support your journey, your current role may suddenly seem like a much more promising fit.

Explore career optionality

Now, to my favorite section. 

Relying on just our full-time job for all our professional happiness? Kinda like putting all our chips on a single number in roulette. Risky! Why not spread out the odds a bit? At some point, if you’ve had enough spins without the payout you want from a full-time gig… you might even consider removing your chips from that slot entirely.

But now you're wondering, "Okay, sounds cool, but where do I even begin?"

I'd recommend dipping your toes into Public Speaking, Newsletter, Contracting, or Advising. Each of these can beautifully complement your primary job.

Public Speaking

Public speaking may sound terrifying. Most of us picture ourselves tripping on stage or forgetting our lines. But, trust me, it's like riding a bike—wobbly at first, but then you're cruising. Here’s what's in it for you:

•   It hones your brain to pick out what really matters and what folks find intriguing.

•   It's like a megaphone for your personal brand.

•   You'll find your tribe—others wrestling with the same beasts.

Newsletter

Starting a newsletter helps you think strategically, learn to communicate clearer, begin creating your brand, and, most importantly, start building your audience. Once you get the hang of it, you can even make money from it. Checkout my substack journey from 0-$30K ARR in 6 months here. 

Contracting Work

Imagine being a pinch-hitter in a baseball game. You’re brought in for a specific hit. That's contracting for you. Dive into specific projects, do your thing, and then bounce. Perfect if you're someone who loves getting their hands dirty without being tied down.

Advising

This is like being the wise owl in a story. Instead of doing, you're guiding. Sharing your epic tales, your wins, your "I can't believe I did that" moments, and helping someone else navigate their journey. If you've been around the block a few times and have those leadership skills, this one's for you.

All 4 can spice up the usual 9-to-5 routine. So, why not try something different? You might just stumble upon a brand-new way to enjoy your work! 

You got this!

Whether it’s seeing someone else’s promotion or just a general sense of meh-ness, it’s understandable to feel restless at work. But by keeping these steps in mind, you’ll be ready. Whether you decide to double down on a role where you’ve reignited the spark, make a jump because you know you deserve it, or leap all the way into something totally different, I hope these steps will help you feel prepared!

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Edited with the help of Jonathan Yagel, storytelling magician.