What’s Holding You Back From Success at Work?

So, you feel like you’re at a dead-end at your current workplace. What do you do in this case? Is the problem you or is it someone else you work with? There could be a number of reasons why you feel stuck and unsuccessful at work and they may or may not be your fault. As harsh as that may sound, sometimes it’s what we need to hear in order to kick ourselves into gear and be better.

 

Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why people feel held back at work.

 

1. An Inability to Speak Up

 

Having social anxiety or not feeling like you have good ideas is a major issue with many people. It can be tough to speak your mind or share ideas if you don’t feel like your voice will be heard or if you’re scared of disproval. Regardless of how speaking up makes you feel, the only way you can move forward in your career is by speaking up for what you believe in and voicing your needs.

 

There are a few things many therapists recommend if social anxiety seems to be your issue:

 

●   Practice mindfulness and meditation. Doing this will physically calm your body and quiet your mind. Meditating at work can be as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing for 5-10 minutes at a time.

●   Focus on what you need to do. Instead of getting lost in your feelings, focus more on what needs to be done. If you’re presenting something at work, make eye contact and use a small fidgeter if you need to.

●   Be realistic with yourself. Even if you feel like you’re going to completely mess up what you need to do, think about each success you’ve had and let that fuel you.

●   Go to therapy. The stigma around therapy is rapidly deteriorating and seeing a therapist is becoming more acceptable in society. Utilizing therapy can give you more tools for dealing with anxiety in your workplace.

 

2. Hitting a Promotional Wall

 

You may also feel stuck in your job if you aren’t given any room for growth. Working somewhere without the possibility of raises or promotions can be demoralizing for someone who is looking to grow their career.

 

3. Blaming Others Instead of Working on Yourself

 

Lastly, you may need to do some self-reflection. If you find yourself blaming others for your inability to grow in your workplace, it’s time to take a deeper look inside yourself and see if it’s really you holding yourself back.