Getting unstuck

Some of us may have experienced a mid-career crisis. This happens when one has to apply force to do one’s job. There is no promotion in employment and it just becomes a default option to settle monthly bills
According to Harvard Business Review, middle age is, on average, the most difficult time of life. In 2008, the economists David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald found that self-reported life satisfaction takes the form of a gently curving U, beginning high in youth, bottoming out in our mid-40s, and then recovering as we get older.
Experts advise that to get out of the problem and feel better in life, it’s important to take a proactive and positive approach by incorporating some techniques into life.
Dr Saleh al Khamaisi, coach and trainer, quotes John Maxwell, who said ‘Change is inevitable, but growth is optional’ and this powerful insight captures the essence of the challenge at hand.
“When an individual finds himself or herself feeling stuck with no clear career ladder to climb, it becomes essential to explore constructive solutions to break free from this catch-22 situation,” he said.
According to him, the key lies in maintaining an open mindset and seeking guidance — whether through senior leaders or by engaging with a professional coach whose thought-provoking questions can lead to practical and actionable solutions. Such interactions often reveal valuable pathways, such as reskilling or upskilling to pursue a lateral move within the organisation, or even explore new horizons.
“Ultimately, the formula for overcoming career stagnation is simple yet powerful: dare to open up, ask, listen effectively, and then act proactively by taking ownership of your journey. With courage and accountability, the path forward becomes clearer, and the promise of growth reminds us that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”
He feels that being career-stuck can be tackled by having perfect emotional intelligence (EQ), which is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions, both our own and those of others. In this context, the first step is self-awareness: becoming conscious of what is happening in our career and how it makes us feel. From there, we can explore the range of options available and carefully select the one that offers the most effective path forward,” Dr Al Khamaisi said
According to Nandhini Nandakumar, psychotherapist and PhD scholar from Lincoln University Malaysia, having a degree alone doesn’t mean we have everything. The first step is to update our resume to match current norms and trends, and to pursue certified courses relevant to our profession. These add value to our profile and open doors to new opportunities.
“Tackling career-stuck syndrome needs an approach that includes self-reflection, setting clear goals, developing one’s skills, seeking guidance and mentorship and building newer opportunities,”says Yusuf Nalwalla, Chairman, Al Yusr International.
Jinachandran, an HR Professional, feels that to overcome the crisis faced by people aged 50+, it is essential to proactively modernise their job search strategy.
“This involves upgrading their professional skills through online courses or certifications to meet current market demands. They should also revitalise their resumes and online profiles to highlight accomplishments and a willingness to adapt.”
Dhanya Manoj, motivational speaker, goes a step ahead, saying one should recognise and affirm his or her emotions, rephrase negative thoughts and comments from outside.
“To address feeling career-stuck with no advancement chances, one should begin by identifying the root cause, which could be a lack of opportunity, skills or drive, then reflect on his or her goals,make short-term plans and preparations, pursue new challenges, broaden our network and invest in professional development,” she said.