Dissatisfied content: stagnant career syndrome

Sitting here this morning working at home (I’m a real estate agent), I turned on the television. One of the great daytime shows of all time was broadcast: The Price is Right! Bob Barker, what a career! What if he hadn’t jumped at the opportunity when it was introduced 35 years ago? How did walking through that door of opportunity change your life? I’m sure it would have been successful elsewhere, but would it have been at the same level? No one really knows the answer to that question. But we do know the answer to what made him say “yes” to that opportunity!

What about you and your career? Have there been opportunities that presented themselves but you refused to “walk through that door”? If so, why not? Is the fear of the unknown such an intense fear that you freeze in one place? Is the comfort level such that you don’t want to upset the apple cart?

Change is something that we as human beings do not accept, at least with enthusiasm. Even in your current position, have you ever had any changes to the rules or procedures? What is your initial reaction? Are you so focused on your paths that adapting to change creates stress? Sometimes change is good. I heard him say once, or maybe I read it somewhere, that if “you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” There is truth in those words! Isn’t there a better way to do what you do?

Dissatisfaction with your current situation is a sign that you need to implement some kind of change. Maybe it’s just a procedural modification? Maybe it’s a new approach. When things stagnate, we often suffer from tunnel vision. Opening up to new ideas, new methodologies, is the first step towards recovery: recovery from the disease of the stagnant race syndrome.

What are the symptoms of stalled race syndrome? Some of the symptoms include lack of enthusiasm, seeing the glass as half empty (pessimism), repetitive processes without positive results, and unsatisfied satisfaction (oxymoron?). These manifestations, when combined, leave you in a state of confusion. Confusion about your future. Confusion about what to do next.

So how do they respond to the stagnant race syndrome? First of all, don’t just focus on the glitches. Sure, you have to identify the things that are working. They may not be producing results at the level you want, but they are contributing positively to your career goals. You must also identify the things that are not working. Write down all of these activities. When you put the problems on paper, the image will be in better focus. Put the goal or objective on paper.

What are some changes that need to be implemented? Maybe it’s something as simple as getting additional education or skills. Maybe it’s just the environment you’re operating in? Don’t forget that those around you can be the anchor that sustains your career? It could be that the processes you are running are appropriate, but the environment does not support your success. Let’s say you are a farmer. You have mastered the technique of planting a garden. You know the time of year to plant, the types of crops that your environment favors, how to operate the necessary equipment, all the steps. However, if the soil (environment) is not suitable for the desired results, nothing will ever develop. If a harvest is the result of your efforts, it may not produce the largest harvest for the efforts invested. To maximize the performance of the efforts, the farmer simply must plant in the right soil or modify the soil with fertilizers, to maximize its yield.

After all, this analysis was the only modification that required a change to his environment. However, a modification in the environment. Is it time to make a change in your environment? Recognize the situation for what it is and plant your crop in new soil! You may have no idea how big the crop will be. Taking advantage of the opportunities and resources available may be all that is needed to cure this: the stagnant career syndrome. Good luck and may your harvest be abundant!