We all have those times when we feel stuck. You’re in your job and getting the job done, but things aren’t quite improving as you had hoped. You want to grow — move forward in your career, assume greater responsibilities, and become more prominent in your field — but there is this one huge obstacle: You do not want to go back to school. Perhaps you just do not have the time, funds, or perhaps you are just not interested in earning a degree or diploma. And let’s get realistic: you may be thinking, “I’m not a superstar, I’m average,” so how can a person like you be any different from all the folks around you who are achievers?
Good news: You don’t need a special degree or be unusually talented to excel at your job. The truth is, you can get better at your career, even if you think you are “average,” and you can do this without going back to school or earning another degree. You just need the right attitude and tools to allow you to get better where you are.
If you’re stuck and wanting to advance professionally but don’t have time to return to school, then read on. Here is how to advance, enhance your career, and become unstuck, beginning today.
1. Know Where You Are — and Where You Want to Go
The first step to development in your career is to be aware of where you are now and where you’d like to be. You are “average” if that’s how you perceive yourself; a lot of people are “average” sometimes when they are working. The important thing is to observe that feeling, accept it, and then use it to advance yourself.
What to do:
* Self-reflection: Consider your career and where you are now. Are you receiving the opportunities you desire? Are you stagnating due to your field, company environment, or areas in which you need to build up your skill set? Identify the specific things preventing you, such as not being assertive, not possessing the necessary skills, or being unsure of what you actually desire to do.
* Establish clear goals: Consider where you would like to be in 6 months, in a year, or in 5 years. Do you need a promotion? A new, more responsible job? Or do you simply wish to be more effective at your current job? The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you will be able to create a plan for achieving it.
Once you know where you are and where you need to be, it’s time to move in the direction of your goals.
2. Start Learning — But a Degree Is Not Required
If you’re feeling “average” because you think your skills just aren’t good enough, it’s time to upgrade yourself. But with one proviso: you don’t need to go back to school and earn a degree. You can do a lot on your own. Some of the most valuable skills are learned through online courses, books, podcasts, and in-house training — not in school.
What to do:
* Low-cost and free learning resources: Online sites such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer low-cost and free courses on all sorts of subjects like leadership, project management, and technical skills such as computer programming, graphic design, and marketing. You don’t need to do a long degree course; start with a short course you’re interested in or one that will contribute to your skill set.
* Audiobooks and books: Reading is very important. Find books that help you with your career goals. Do you want to be a better communicator? Listen to “Crucial Conversations” or “The Art of Communicating” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Do you want to be a better leader? “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek might really help.
Why it works:
Learning at your own pace can make you more confident and identify areas that are career-specific. Also, when you acquire new skills, you become automatically more effective to your employer and colleagues, even without a degree.
3. Make the Most Out of Your Current Job — Ask for New Challenges
One of the fastest ways of advancement at work is learning to take on additional responsibilities. If you don’t feel like you are advancing, it might be because your present role isn’t bringing the challenge you seek. Find ways to take on projects that challenge your abilities.
What to do:
* Collaborate on other departments’ projects: If your role permits, request to collaborate on projects that are not part of your regular work. This will put you in touch with new challenges and aid you in communicating with other teams.
* Take ownership of a problem or a task: Recognize the area of your team or company that can be enhanced or needs help. It could be streamlining a process, making team members more communicative, or customers more content. Come up with a solution and take responsibility for resolving it.
* Request feedback frequently: One of the easiest ways of improving is to understand how you can improve. Ask your supervisor or co-workers to provide feedback on your work, and use it constructively to be a better person. Being receptive to criticism also demonstrates that you are humble and ready to develop as an individual.
Why it helps
Push yourself and demonstrate leadership qualities and your employer will recognize you are capable of more than you are doing. You will also build a reputation as being someone who gets the job done.
4. Be Friends and Network — Even If You’re Not “The Best”
Networking is the key to professional success, and you do not need to be an extrovert socialite to network. A solid network of contacts can lead to new opportunities and also provide access to learning from others in your line of work.
What to do
* Attend industry events (in person or virtually): Whether a conference, a webinar, or a networking lunch and learn, attending can introduce you to new individuals who can offer good advice, guidance, or even an employment opportunity.
* Use LinkedIn to network with new contacts: Don’t just link with people — engage with them. Like their posts, comment on them, join groups that are relevant to you, and post articles or content that are relevant to your field. Networking is less about what people can do for you and more about building solid, useful connections.
* Get a mentor or accountability partner: Nice to have someone who is smarter than you to lead the way, or someone who will encourage you to keep yourself on track. Identify mentors within or outside of your organization who can demonstrate how they did it and how you might do it differently.
Why it works:
Even if you’re not yet the “best” at something, relationships can accelerate you. The right relationships can also expose you to opportunities that you would otherwise have never seen and give you good counsel from people who’ve been in your shoes before.
5. Notice Soft Skills — They Matter More Than You Realize
At work, it’s not necessarily about being the most intelligent or capable individual — it’s usually about your soft skills. These are the intangible things like communicating well, being able to adapt to change, being sensitive to feelings, and being able to solve problems that set people apart.
What to do:
* Enhance communication skills: Writing, speaking, and listening are crucial to working effectively with others. Attempt to communicate your ideas and thoughts effectively in presentations, emails, or meetings.
* Develop emotional intelligence: Start observing your own feelings and how they impact what you do. Create means of managing stress and observing your peers’ feelings. Such skills are positively essential to working and leading.
* Be adaptable and solution-oriented: When it all goes pear-shaped (and it will), your response is the key. Try to remain cool when things get difficult, seek solutions, and remain optimistic.
Why it works:
Soft skills are what make individuals special, even if they’re not otherwise excellent. Being emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and communicative will make you a better employee, boss, and team player.
6. Take Care of Yourself — Growth Needs Energy
Last but not least, keep in mind that self-care is crucial to your professional development. You can’t give what you don’t have, and if you feel stuck, maybe your physical or mental health requires some overhaul. A good lifestyle will serve you well in doing your best job.
What to do:
* Exercise regularly: Regular exercise boosts energy, enhances mood, and makes you more efficient. It even lessens stress so that you can manage your job’s stress better.
* Be mindful of your mental health: Prioritize resting, learn to stay present, and set boundaries to avoid burnout. If you are too stressed out, don’t think twice about seeking professional assistance.
* Balance work and life: Take time on your personal life, hobbies, and friends outside of the workplace. The better-rounded you are, the more energy you will have to invest in your professional development.
Why it works:
If you take care of yourself physically and emotionally, you are healthier, more productive, and stronger. You can’t grow if you are exhausted or sick — caring for yourself will set you up to be successful in the long term.
Final Thoughts
The message is unmistakable: you don’t need to be special in order to grow in your career. Regardless of whether you are stuck, “average,” or lost, you can change and advance in your career. By acquiring new skills, overcoming new obstacles, networking, and caring for yourself, you can create opportunities and accomplish more in your career — without going back to school.