Are you feeling stuck in your career? You’re not alone. Many professionals struggle with career ruts, feeling like there’s nowhere to go within their organization. Joyel Crawford, a renowned career and leadership development expert, shares valuable insights on how to break free from these challenges and take control of your career path. With her unique approach, Crawford encourages individuals to create opportunities for themselves, even when the organization doesn’t offer them.
Create Your Own Career Path: Building Your Own Table
When stuck in a rut, it’s crucial to take the reins of your career rather than wait for opportunities to come. As Crawford puts it, “Sometimes you have to build your own darn table.” This mindset can completely transform how you approach your job. Instead of trying to fit into a role created by others, Crawford recommends that you focus on what you can offer and the changes you can make within your organization.
Crawford shares her personal story of feeling trapped in a role she didn’t want, which led her to explore ways to make her work more meaningful. Instead of passively waiting for a career shift, she took an active role in improving the business. By thinking of herself as an internal consultant, she identified areas within the organization that needed attention and worked to address them. This proactive approach not only helped her escape her career rut but also garnered the attention of senior leadership, ultimately opening doors to new opportunities.
Innovate from Within: Becoming an Internal Consultant
One of the key strategies Crawford recommends is to look for gaps in your current work environment and find ways to improve them. For example, she worked in human resources, where she created employee focus groups to gather feedback on areas needing improvement. With this data, she implemented solutions, not just for her department, but for the business as a whole. This initiative created visibility for her and demonstrated her value to the company.
This mindset—identifying problems and solving them—can push you out of a stagnant position and move you into a space where your skills are recognized. Crawford emphasizes that by taking this approach, you’re not just improving your job; you’re driving change within the organization. Her initiatives led to her being noticed and ultimately promoted to a supervisor role in a different department.
Look Beyond Your Organization: Volunteering and Building Skills
If you find that internal opportunities are scarce, Crawford advises looking externally for growth. Volunteering with organizations outside of your company can provide valuable experience and develop skills that will be beneficial in your current job. “Don’t forget to put those skills on your resume,” Crawford urges. Volunteering may not be paid, but it’s still impactful and demonstrates your dedication to personal and professional development.
Moreover, the skills and connections you gain from external projects can offer fresh perspectives and even lead to new job opportunities. By becoming a board member or contributing to external initiatives, you can enhance your leadership abilities, which in turn can benefit your career in the long run.
Empower Others: Become a Mentor to Break Through Your Own Rut
Another strategy Crawford highlights is mentoring others. There’s always someone looking to grow in their career, and by helping them, you may find a renewed sense of purpose and excitement in your own work. As Crawford explains, “There’s always someone else who aspires to be where you are.” Offering mentorship allows you to reflect on your own journey, which can reignite your passion for your career.
By guiding others, you also improve your own leadership skills, which can open doors to higher-level roles. Crawford encourages professionals to build relationships, share best practices, and offer support to those who are just starting out in their careers.
Take Action: Break Out of Your Career Rut Today
Crawford’s advice boils down to one key message: take action. “Find the pain and fix it. Build your own darn table!” Whether that means improving your current job, taking on external projects, or mentoring others, the key to breaking free from a career rut is to be proactive. Waiting for opportunities to present themselves won’t get you anywhere. Instead, take control and create the career path you want.
