10 Reasons You're Stuck in a Rut in your Career

Every career has its ups and downs, but the job market is so competitive today that even a bit of stagnation can leave you out of step with the times. Here are 10 reasons you're stuck in a rut in your career and might not be moving forward to get ahead.

1) You're only thinking about yourself

We all want to get ahead, but sometimes focusing on your own wants and needs can leave you feeling like you're going nowhere. In today's market, you need to think about how the smart decisions that get you ahead of the pack might also benefit those around you. One way to make sure everyone is working toward a similar goal is to take a career break to reconnect with the people and places that matter most in your life.

2) You're not keeping up with the news

Keeping up with what's happening in the world can put a fresh perspective on your career. When you don't know the latest trends, you can be left behind as others strive to make themselves valuable in new and better ways. Check out websites like Huffington Post or The Economist to stay informed of business and economic headlines so that you're always aware of what's going on around you.

3) You're not networking professionally enough

The old fashioned way of getting ahead isn't working so well anymore, but there's still plenty of room for making connections with industry leaders who can help forward your career. Being in the know is a great way to keep up with what's happening, and cultivating these contacts can help you advance your career.

4) You're not taking advantage of digital marketing

While it's true that not every professional should be using digital marketing tools, those who aren't often find themselves a step behind. If you're not thinking about leveraging the power of your brand to reach out to more potential customers and clients, then you're losing valuable business. Today's marketplace is all about going where the people are, so make sure you have a presence online if you want to get ahead.

5) You're not capitalizing on social media channels

When you're not taking advantage of the power of the internet, you might be missing out on a whole lot of potential business. If you aren't making sure that your company is represented in all of your social networking and networking channels, chances are that you're going to have a hard time attracting new customers. This can leave you squeezing blood from a population that doesn't need another website or blog post, but needs to see what the company is all about through video, audio and images.

6) You're not thinking strategically enough

In the corporate world today, it's not enough to just do a good job. If you're not thinking carefully about how your work affects the bigger picture, then you might fall behind in the long run. Keep your eye on the long term goal and make sure that each of your actions is building toward something meaningful and lasting.

7) You're not working with the right tools or knowledge

There are so many amazing tools that are out there for making things easier, but if you aren't using them in an efficient way then you might just be spinning your wheels. Make sure that you aren't wasting your time and money on anything that doesn't truly contribute to your bottom line.

8) You're not taking advantage of technology

The more virtual the world becomes, the more important it is to keep up to date with what's out there. If you aren't using the latest technology to your advantage, then there's a good chance that you're falling behind. In today's fast paced society, a missed opportunity can become a lost opportunity, so make sure that you don't lose out.

9) You're not utilizing social media and video marketing properly

Social media is often viewed as a marketing tool, but it also has plenty of other uses as well. If you're only using it for marketing then you're missing out on all of the other opportunities that are available. Video marketing is a fantastic way of engaging people on a personal level, and it's also a great way to build trust and rapport with your customers.

10) You're not using LinkedIn right

LinkedIn is one of the most important tools in your professional arsenal, so make sure that you aren't missing out on any of its countless benefits. If you aren't building a solid profile that showcases your knowledge, experience and image then chances are that you're going to have fewer contacts than those who are doing better at this game.

Conclusion

Are you stuck in a rut in your career? If so, take a few minutes to review this list and see if you can find any openings to make things better. There are plenty of ways that you can make sure that your goals are the top priority, and there's no better time than the present to make sure that progress is made. Just remember to think about all of those around you when doing so. Choose to work smarter, not harder, and keep moving forward toward more opportunities.