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There’s a lot to be said for routine and familiarity, but what if you lose interest in your job, it doesn’t excite or challenge you anymore, or you want to get more out of life? If you’re stuck in a career rut, you don’t have to stay there. In this guide, we’ll explore some steps you can take to move forwards. 

Changing your employer

Many of us get stuck in a rut because we’ve worked in the same place with the same people for a long period of time. If you’ve been with a company for as long as you can remember, you’ve had the same job role for years and you deal with the same clients day in, day out, you may find that work becomes monotonous. You may also start to wonder what life would be like in a different setting. You might also want to consider changing your employer if you’re not happy at work, or you’ve hit a wall in terms of your career progression. If you’re stuck at the same level and your employer isn’t offering opportunities, switching to a different organization could be just the change you need. 

Discovering new environments

Today, it’s possible for millions of us to work from almost anywhere in the world. Remote work has become increasingly popular, particularly since the pandemic. Advanced technology affords us opportunities to combine work with travel, relocate overseas without worrying about losing money and explore opportunities abroad. If you love the idea of being a digital nomad, you’re interested in working for a global business or moving abroad temporarily or permanently, why not take a look at international remote jobs or speak to your boss about working remotely on a full-time basis? Working remotely doesn’t have to involve travel. You can explore different working environments in your city, state or country by becoming a remote worker. Sometimes, a change of scenery can boost motivation and morale and open doors. 

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Exploring a different career path

Changing careers can be a daunting prospect, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re doing a job that pays the bills rather than giving you satisfaction, or you’re keen to explore new avenues based on your interests and passions, it’s worth considering a new path. Some people only discover what they want to do for work later in life while others are eager to try something new. If you are thinking about a change of career, research jobs, find out if you need any additional qualifications or training and learn more about the industry. 

Freelancing

Freelancing has become very popular in the last decade. In 2022, there are more than 70 million freelancers in the US alone. If you want to gain more control of your schedule and make decisions about the jobs and projects you work on, or you don’t enjoy the office culture, freelancing may be a great move for you. When you freelance, you have the option to accept or reject jobs, you choose your clients and set your working hours, and you don’t have to answer to colleagues or managers. 

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Are you stuck in a career rut? If you’ve lost motivation, you don’t like your job or your employer, or you’re keen to embrace other opportunities, environments or working arrangements, you don’t have to stay where you are. Explore different avenues, research, look for jobs and think about what matters most to you. Many people now consider flexibility and job satisfaction more important than salary.