How to Progress Your Career: 6 Simple Ways to Get Unstuck

It’s not uncommon to feel stuck in your career. You find yourself doing the same thing day in and day out and that can be a bit monotonous. But what’s worse is that the monotony eats at us over time, killing motivation and negatively impacting our productivity. And who wants to work the rest of their life in a job that doesn’t inspire them? You can do better than that.

There’s no reason to settle for a job you don’t love and sacrifice opportunities to progress in your career. But how can you dig yourself out of a hole of self-discouragement, understand how to progress your career, and find something that makes you feel passionate about your work again? Here are six easy ways to get out of that rut and get back to doing what you love.

1. Stay positive by focusing on the big picture

If you’re not feeling fulfilled at work, it’s easy to slide into pessimism. That lack of motivation often spills over into your job search—you just don’t have the same drive. But you can’t let the negativity consume you.

If you’re dreading Monday, or feel wasted in your current role, take a moment to think about the bigger picture and envision where you’d like to be. Shifting your focus to the positive things on the horizon puts you in the right mindset when new opportunities to progress your career come along.

2. Do your research on internal and external opportunities

Feeling stuck often stems from believing there’s nowhere left to grow in your current job. But that might not be true. Have you considered talking to your manager about how your role could evolve?

Many people assume career progression only means moving up, but careers can grow in many different directions; it’s just about finding the direction that interests you.

Start by exploring roles within your organisation that might feel more meaningful. A sideways move could be just what you need if the work aligns better with your strengths.

If nothing internally inspires you, start researching new roles in other organisations. Think about whether you want to stay in a similar charity or work with a different cause. Understanding how your skills can be transferred is a core part of knowing how to progress your career strategically.

3. Think outside the box when planning your next steps

Many careers have clear cut progression lines where you know exactly what you need to do next to reach an end goal. The charity sector, however, isn’t always like that. You can forge your own path and get ahead by finding new ways to further your cause.

Many charity sector workers feel stuck because they can’t see what comes next. Spend time thinking about what you truly want from your job, and if the route doesn’t exist, create it for yourself.

It can be incredibly helpful to reach out to other charity professionals and learn from their journeys. Platforms like CharityConnect or LinkedIn are great places to start. You can even message people directly to gain insights into how to progress your career based on real experiences.

4. Ask for help and use your network wisely

And that brings us to our next point—no man is an island. If you want to break out of that rut, you’re going to need the help of others. Ask a friend to read over your CV, or a colleague to help you pinpoint your strengths. If reaching out to people you know feels uncomfortable, you can find guidance online.

You could also work with a professional career advisor. They can help you discover why you’re feeling stuck and advise you if should consider moving on from your current role or organisation. Even informal conversations with friends in the industry can help you see where your skills can be put to the best use.

5. Identify your unique strengths and USPs

What makes you stand out? There’s a reason you were hired for your current job. Really sit and brainstorm what makes you such an asset to your charity. Once you understand your Unique Selling Points (USPs), you can better position yourself for roles that align with your values and passions – an essential step in learning how to progress your career.

6. Strengthen your communication skills

Strong communication is vital any job, but especially in the charity sector, where you may work with sensitive subjects and vulnerable people.

Learning to communicate with clarity and adaptability helps you navigate challenging situations and demonstrate your value. This makes it far easier to progress, shift roles or take on responsibilities that move you closer to your long-term career goals.

Ultimately, progressing in your career isn’t about staying stuck in a job that doesn’t drive you. It’s about knowing what you want, recognising your worth and communicating it clearly. Put these tips to good use and you’ll not only learn how to progress your career, but also find a fantastic job you love and a cause you can truly get behind.

Start searching for roles today.

This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated to ensure relevance and to reflect the current job seeker experience.