Six Tips for Overcoming Roadblocks in Your Career

You’re in the middle of your career journey, and everything seems to be in order. You’re cruising at a comfortable pace. You’re consistently hitting your targets. The last project you were working on was finally approved. Suddenly, you hit a bump in the road. Something is preventing you from taking another step.

Overcoming roadblocks in your career is an inevitable part of the journey. No matter what point you’re at in your professional life, you’re bound to encounter hurdles. Some of them can set you back, halt your progress, or even derail your plans. Some challenges will even make you question your abilities. You might be dealing with an excessive workload, conflicts with colleagues, lack of motivation, or you’re simply stuck in a role that doesn’t match your skills.

(For guidance on navigating professional challenges, Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg offers insights into resilience and leadership in the workplace.)

Overcoming Roadblocks in Your Career Leads to Growth

Whatever obstacle you’re facing in your job, it’s part of the path to growth and success. There are valuable lessons to be learned. And overcoming the obstacle can take your skills to the next level. By the end of it, you’ll certainly be a better version of yourself. Here are some tips that can help you break down any barrier in your career:

1. Toss Fear in the Backseat

Fear is a normal part of life. It’s what stops people from doing things that might cause harm. But when you’re dealing with an obstacle in your career, you need the courage to resolve it. In order to come up with logical solutions, you shouldn’t let fear get in the way. If you feel afraid of facing a particular obstacle, try to think about how you will feel once you overcome it. Will you feel fulfilled? Will you feel relieved? Try to focus on that feeling and let it drown out your fear. The only way to learn from what you’re going through is to buckle down and face it head-on. 

2. View the Obstacle as an Opportunity

Our brain has a bundle of nerves called the reticular activating system (RAS). It receives directions and decides which ones are useful and which ones are not. This fact means that you can program your mind to view problems in a positive light. Try to think about what you can gain from the challenge. It could be an opportunity to learn. It could also be an opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Having the right attitude is a must when it comes to overcoming roadblocks in your career. You can’t always control the circumstances around you, but you can always control how you react to them. 

3. Don’t Take Shortcuts

You might feel like the career roadblock you’re currently facing is causing you to fall behind. It can get tempting to apply a quick fix just so you can get past it, but that can only cause the problem to come back. Take time to really think about the obstacle. Figure out the causes, the factors surrounding it, and all the possible solutions. It’s better to work slowly and surely when it comes to overcoming career obstacles.       

4. Explore All Possible Routes

One of the keys to overcoming roadblocks in your career is keeping an open mind. You might be used to solving problems in a certain way, but it’s not always going to be applicable to every challenge. Are there areas where you can compromise?  Being willing to adjust can help you find more potential solutions in overcoming career obstacles. If your first attempt at solving an issue doesn’t work, keep trying. Broaden your perspective, and try to list alternative ways to work it out. Try to look at the obstacle from as many angles as possible. 

(The Full Focus Planner can be an invaluable tool to stay organised and track your goals.)

5. Ask Others for Directions

In truth, there are some challenges that are too difficult for just one person to handle. Consider asking for advice from your colleagues or friends. They might have different ideas and perspectives about the matter. Just make sure that before you ask for help, you’ve already thought through the issue on your own and that you’re not asking for a handout. If they ever need help in overcoming career roadblocks, try to return the favor as well. 

6. Keep Your Eyes On the Finish Line

When you’re facing a difficult career challenge, it’s easy to lose sight of your long-term goals. You must keep your eyes on the big picture. Remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. Take a moment to visualize the dream you’re working toward. What steps do you need to take to realize that dream? Your actions for overcoming roadblocks in your career should be aligned with your goals. Likewise, focusing on your dream can help you stay motivated, no matter what obstacle gets in your way.

Taking One Step at a Time in Overcoming Career Roadblocks

The next time you find yourself in the middle of your career journey and you hit a bump in the road, pause and breathe. Take one step after another, and even though the battle may be long, you can be sure that overcoming roadblocks in your career is underway.