Does every day at your job feel like Groundhog Day? Is your to-do list never ending? If you’re in a rut in your job, I see you and I get it. Throughout my career, I’ve felt stuck in a rut many times, and it is anything but fun. What if I told you there are three secrets to getting out of a rut and back to enjoying your work? Ready to save yourself from another day of dreading your work? Here are my sure-fire ways to get out of a rut at work.

The perks of being in a rut  

Being in a rut at work isn’t necessarily a bad thing because it can inspire good changes. Feeling stuck is not fun, so you’ll be motivated to make changes to prevent future ruts. Every time I found myself facing this challenge, I made changes that needed to happen. So, think of your rut as a sign that it may be time to do something differently. Perhaps you’ll realize it’s time for a new role or that you have the power to get more of what you like about your job and less of what you hate.   

1.    Focus on what you like about your job.

Don’t you hate it when you’re trying to fall asleep, but your mind is racing with thoughts about a terrible part of your job? Yeah, I hate that, too. Ever notice how people talk most about what is frustrating or draining about their job? You likely know all about your work bestie’s biggest grips or your partner’s unreasonable boss, but little about the aspects of their job that they enjoy.

Early on in my career, I focused on everything I loathed about my job. I was so set on fixing those parts of my job that I completely ignored the aspects of my job that I loved. At one point, I had a client who was impossible to please, and I spent a lot of time thinking about it and lamenting to coworkers, family, and friends. Meanwhile, I paid little attention to my other clients who were quietly extraordinary and gave me opportunity to shine. Fortunately, I later learned that I was unknowingly self-sabotaging by not practicing the art of gratitude. We get more of whatever we focus on. Once I began being grateful for everything I liked about my job, I began receiving more of that, and less of what I loathed.

Right now, think about all your responsibilities and experiences at work. Ask yourself: what lights me up? Whatever earns a spot in that list is exactly what you should think about, talk about and appreciate.

2.    Make it known to your boss and your coworkers what you like about your job.

Ever notice that in most work meetings, focus tends to be on issues that need resolution? In those discussions, it’s easy to tell what is frustrating or tiring for you, your boss or teammates. In the hustle of getting stuff done and solving problems, no one really takes time to celebrate what’s going well or what anyone’s enjoying. The positive stuff is just not top of mind. Be the one who shifts the conversation – even if only briefly. Share an update about something that is going well or what you enjoyed about a project.

You may assume that your boss and teammates know what you enjoy and the kind of projects you like to take on. But people aren’t thinking about you or how you feel because they’re focused on their own likes and dislikes, and they’re not mind readers. That’s why it’s important to be vocal about what you enjoy and what your ideal responsibilities look like.

Take time to note successes, examples of great teamwork and why you particularly enjoyed a project or client. If you make it known intentionally what you’re grateful for, you’ll get more of it. Raise your hand for projects that you think could lead to more like it. These are projects that will make your talents shine, and you’ll be better positioned for your role to change and be fuller of what you want.

A teammate recently told me that she really enjoys a certain type of project. Since then, I’ve looked for opportunities for her to participate in projects that align with that interest. She opened opportunity doors for herself simply because she took 10 seconds to tell me that fact in passing one day.

A gratitude journal is another effective way to quickly capture what you like about your job and help keep your perspective in check, so you don’t go down the negative thought path.

3.    Distinguish work ruts from personal life ruts.

Think about a coworker who is always complaining about their job or your employer. They probably blame their job for preventing them from living the life they want. Throughout my career, I often blamed my job for making me too busy with work to go to the gym, eat healthy lunches and pursue my writing interests. The truth was that I was not prioritizing those things, but it was way easier to point a finger at my employer. Since then, I’ve learned to take responsibility for my own prioritization.

We often mistakenly blame our jobs when we’re actually in ruts in our personal lives. Boredom or lack of fulfillment in aspects of your personal life could be causing your feelings of being stuck. You can distinguish between the two by making changes in your personal life. Think about the things you loved to do as a kid or young adult. Pick up those hobbies again. When I was 26, I felt completely stuck in my life, and dreaded my job and every other element of my life. I started doing things that I loved to do as a little girl. I enrolled in a creative writing course at my local community college. That brought me so much joy and led to making new friends and a fulfilling side career as an author.

Make plans to do things you don’t normally do and make time for it no matter what. Even if you’re a busy parent, take 15 minutes to do something for you every day. Make a system and stick to do it. When you are taking good care of yourself at work and in your personal life, but you still feel like you’re in a rut at work, then you know it’s time to make a career change.  

There you go! Those are my go-to ways to get out of a rut at work. You now have the tools to get unstuck and move forward.