Five Ways to Reignite the Spark in Your Career

Have you lost the passion…the special feeling you once had when you walked through the front door? Do not throw in the towel just yet! You may be bored with your job, but most likely after you freshen up your resume and move on to your next position, you will fall into the same boring rut. “It’s not the job – it’s you!” Before you do anything drastic, consider these five ways to reignite the spark in your career.

When possible, outsource or delegate certain tasks.
In a TED talk titled The Power of Passion, Richard St. John recommended that professionals spend no more than 20 percent of the day completing work assignments that they do not find enjoyable. Often, careers start with entry or mid-level positions focused on to-do’s that are particularly challenging. As your career grows, your responsibilities may become tedious, boring or especially frustrating. This shift can dull your professional fire.

Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. Write down the tasks that you love on the right side and those that are more of an energy drain on the left. Are you spending at least 80 percent of your time on the right side of the paper? If not, look for ways to offload some of those left-side duties. If you cannot delegate or outsource those jobs entirely, seek out creative ways to adjust your schedule so you spend more time on the favorable tasks.

Attend a trade conference.
Take a few days or even a week to immerse yourself in an element of your industry that excites you. Discussing business trends and engaging in conversations with like-minded people may ignite something within you. It only takes a few words, one sentence, or a short story to deliver an “aha” moment that alters your mindset.

Find your identity beyond the office.
Revisit an old hobby or research a new experience that has been on the backburner. Do you hear your colleagues talk about things they do in their free time that sound exciting? Just as you cannot count on one person to satisfy every need, a job will be more fulfilling when you are not relying on it as your main purpose in life.

Consider creating a charitable initiative within your organization that benefits the community. Even if you are not paid for the extra work, it can enhance your image within the office while bringing great benefit to the nonprofit you select and more meaning to your daily rhythm.

Shake it up.
You may need to get up earlier, go to bed later, evaluate your inner circle or make other adjustments to bring excitement back into your world. While this can cause some anxiety, move forward with confidence. [Tweet “The best career path is one that is challenging, personally fulfilling and professionally successful.”]

Accept the truth.
You may truly be in a job that is not a good fit. The environment is wrong, or the corporate culture may not be compatible. You cannot make it work, and you have to plan your exit. Leave on a good note and do not burn any bridges on your way out. Ask for wise counsel before making the decision to move on and trust that doors will continue to open in your favor.

For more of Diane’s business etiquette tips, check out Why You Need an Exit Strategy on the Huffington Post.