How to get out of a career rut

Fiona Clark of Inspired Mums on how to find work you love.

If you’re stressed or frustrated and thinking of changing jobs, or wanting to re-enter the workplace after a break – don’t lose hours hunting for ‘part-time’ jobs online before you know what it is you actually want to do.

This is not only a waste of time, but can be very soul-destroying when you don’t find roles that suit you. If that is you – stop and read on!

This is the advice of career coach, Fiona Clark, founder of Inspired Mums, who often helps mums to discover what truly motivates them.

Fiona has just published a free ebook: For mums stuck in a career rut – 8 steps to finding work you love – and working out what floats your boat is one of the steps.

Of course, flexibility may be important, she says, but you need to work out what kind of work you really want to do first and THEN think through out how you can do it in a way that fits around your family.

A big step towards finding work you love is understanding what truly motivates you. It’s a very individual thing and there are many different motivators. Below are four common ones – take a look and see if any of these give you a real ‘buzz’ at work:

1. Meaning and making a difference:

This rings a particular bell with Fiona, who swapped the world of commercial sales for a job that helps other people and that gives her the meaning she craved. But this word ‘meaning’ will signify something different for everyone – for others it could be working for a charity, becoming a teacher, a social worker or occupational therapist – all jobs where a desire to make a difference is integral to the role.

2. Being creative:

So you’d love to spend all day every day painting, writing, cooking or coming up with imaginative solutions and ideas – in which case creativity is a driving force in your life. Seek out a career where you have the freedom and opportunity to be creative whether through your artistic talent or in your approach to problem solving. This way you are far more likely to enjoy your work!

3. Being an expert:

For some mums being seen as an expert in your chosen field is the secret to true job satisfaction. By becoming a tutor, for example, or consulting to businesses, you can gain a position of importance that will keep you motivated and fulfilled. Recognising that this is a key motivating factor for you will help you begin your career search in the right direction.

4. Making good friends at work:

Is enjoying the company of the people you work with high on your wish list? For some mums a key motivator may be working with people you like. If the “social” side of work is important to you then working from home, however flexible it may be, could be the wrong choice for you whereas the hustle and bustle of an office might be right up your street! The culture of the company you work in should be a key consideration for you as you embark upon your creative job search.

For more tips on how to find work you love that fits around your family and get unstuck from the career rut you may be in at the moment, download Fiona’s free e-book – “For mums stuck in a career rut – 8 steps to finding work you love”. It’s packed with tips, exercises and inspiring case studies to get you out of your rut and on the way to your new career.

*Fiona Clark is a qualified confidence and career coach who founded Inspired Mums to inspire women to reach their full potential at work. She is passionate about helping women find fulfilling, family friendly roles. If you would like more help to understand what motivates you at work, contact Fiona at Inspired Mums to book a 1-2-1 coaching session. Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspiredmumscoaching. Twitter: @Inspired_Mums

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