What to Do When Your Career Has Gone Off the Rails

Shortly after starting a new job many years ago, I accidentally deleted thousands of files resulting in an emergency effort to retrieve them. Fortunately, all was not lost, my mistake was fixed, and I remained in the job for many more years.

However, sometimes we make mistakes that have lasting consequences, both at the job and to our career. Sometimes we feel there is no path forward or that we don’t know where to turn next.

In those times, it can be best to step back and consider how to move forward. Here are some things to do when you feel like your career has gone over the deep end.  

Go to a conference. It can be good to get away, clear your head, and be inspired by the fresh ideas and insights to be gained by attending a good conference in a great city. You’ll also meet new people who can provide a new perspective on your career.

Consult with a mentor. Talk to someone you trust and whose opinions you respect. The wisdom of others can be a great support in times of stress and can allow us to develop a better understanding of our current situation and future career opportunities.

Take a class. Similar to attending a conference, going to a class and learning something new can open up possibilities you hadn’t previously imagined and might even lead you to pursue a new career path.

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Think outside the box. When things have gone wrong and we’re frustrated in our career decisions it can be easy for our thinking to remain in a rut, and for us to consider easy answers. Avoid this tendency and seek out creative ideas and approaches. The first step is to be open and avoid easily dismissing ideas or suggestions that are uncomfortable.

Do nothing. This might seem counter-intuitive but sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Time can change our perspective on a situation and help us see things in a new light. Sometimes it’s better to do nothing than to jump to a quick decision that you might regret later.