# Do You Have Career Blues?  ## Metadata - Author: [[Elena Verna]] - Full Title: Do You Have Career Blues? - Category: #articles - Summary: Usually hits me every 2 years, like clockwork. - URL: https://elenaverna.substack.com/p/do-you-have-career-blues?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1435249&post_id=138040045&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=4b5bd&utm_medium=email ## Highlights - Career blues leave you feeling tired, unfulfilled, and restless. Could I be doing more? *Should* I be doing more? Am I missing out by staying where I am? AM I FALLING BEHIND? And the feeling is crushing times, blurring your vision. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4jrbnmcv1b7zctefyarqtv)) - Here are 3 steps I recommend taking to avoid falling into the career blues: 1. Commit to regular reevaluation 2. Give your current job a makeover 3. Explore career optionality ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4k0bcy01cvg6h5h8dmypq1)) - Actively weigh out the opportunities in front of you and make the choice to stay based on genuine desire, not just by default. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4k27kxswvags337pbg71y3)) - Too frequently, we expect our managers to be psychic, hoping they will simply recognize our value and automatically present us with new opportunities. But let's step into the shoes of a manager for a moment: If they do see you performing well, they may not want to risk distracting you with other assignments. Or, they simply may not have anyone else suitable to take on your current tasks. Or maybe, just maybe, they don’t even know about your career aspirations. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4k3fsz94xc3hj5xebw4j9p)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - **Open a Dialogue with Your Manager:** Discuss your aspirations. It's essential for your manager to understand your goals and, ideally, to be eager to support you in achieving them. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4k46rpjgvj6bxdhgv47vya)) - **Consider Your Succession Plan:** If there are tasks that now feel routine to you, consider delegating them to someone else. This could be a valuable learning experience for them and might free you up to tackle newer challenges. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4k4m5ytmxm9mxvd16zbf9k)) - Find a balance between being overly assertive and too passive. Consider having quarterly discussions with your manager, where you set clear and measurable goals within a timeline that suits both of you. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he4k58pcsr6r553gdeetydr8)) - Here are 3 steps I recommend taking to avoid falling into the career blues: 1. Commit to regular reevaluation 2. Give your current job a makeover 3. Explore career optionality ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdfcz23hjn0fs4b05qvrvyfh)) - Give your current job a makeover Does your current workload seem monotonous? Do you feel as though you've hit a plateau in your learning? Do you often feel unappreciated? I have just one question for you: **Have you discussed these feelings with your manager?** ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdfczrtydg8twztqf01n67dm)) - Here's what I recommend doing: 1. **Open a Dialogue with Your Manager:** Discuss your aspirations. It's essential for your manager to understand your goals and, ideally, to be eager to support you in achieving them. Managers often have visibility on various opportunities where you could be a good fit, but they need to be aware of your aspirations and direction. 2. **Consider Your Succession Plan:** If there are tasks that now feel routine to you, consider delegating them to someone else. This could be a valuable learning experience for them and might free you up to tackle newer challenges. 3. **Set Realistic Expectations:** Remember that significant changes don't happen overnight. Everything has its own time and place. Find a balance between being overly assertive and too passive. Consider having quarterly discussions with your manager, where you set clear and measurable goals within a timeline that suits both of you. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdfd082rh3srh4e20drcejvp)) - I'd recommend dipping your toes into **Public Speaking, Newsletter, Contracting,** or **Advising**. Each of these can beautifully complement your primary job. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdfd0jd0fpgxb24q7e63za1a))