You wake up, get ready for work, sit at your desk, and realize . . . you’re not excited for your day to begin. You don’t feel like doing much of anything. You have no goals for the day, the week, or for any kind of future with the company. How did your day-to-day get so darn dull? And can you push through this rut and bring back the thrill?

You may be stuck in a rut if…

1. Your employer is coming up short. Is your employer giving you promises, promises? You’ve crushed all your performance goals, and you’ve excelled at every step on the way to that promised/heavily insinuated bonus, salary increase, or promotion. Your back hurts from all the pats for that organization-changing project you led. But other than an appointment with the chiropractor, there’s been no payoff for you. What happened to those promises of greatness? To find out, you may need to take a deep breath and have an honest talk with your boss. Vague timelines, hemming and hawing, or an outright refusal may be a green light to shop your talent somewhere that will value your contributions—and keep their promises.
2. You’re doing the same old, same old. Your job used to be fun! Interesting! Challenging! And now it’s just These mundane tasks are wasting your talent. And as the level of challenge drops, so drops your level of interest, so much that you may wonder whether this job is right for you anymore. When you’re stuck in this rut, it’s up to you to go after the challenges you need to succeed. Ask to participate in or even spearhead a major project. Ask to join a committee. Ask for a professional-development plan. Let your boss know you want to do more, and ask for support.
3. You’re letting your skills stagnate. See that professional-development plan in #2 up there? Broadening your professional skill-set can only help you excel in your current position, and to possibly get noticed for others. Many astute managers will notice your lack of interest in learning and growing, and will assume you’re either not so interested in your position, or that you’re happy to camp where you are. If you’re not a happy camper, dispel this notion by seeking out the conferences, courses, workshops, and ride-alongs that will expand your knowledge base.
4. Your assignments have dropped off. If you’re no longer management’s point person on those fun and challenging projects, what’s changed? You may be stranded on a plateau, working at a high level, but no longer within reach of those high-profile projects. Remind management of your value-add—see if you can come up with a project of your own that will bring value to the organization and show off your project-management skills.
5. You truly are a happy camper. Yes, you’re mired in place, but you’re not really unhappy about it. You’re not especially motivated to better yourself or to take on more responsibilities. You’re content to get by on the bare minimum. If that’s you, do what makes you happy and keeps you sane, but just know that this lack of ambition won’t go unnoticed. When you stop getting the projects and the praise, and you stop reaching for more, you may stick yourself in a more permanent rut than you’d intended!