If I go to another wedding that uses a Dr. Seuss quotes, I'm going to have to put my hand up at the 'does anyone object' bit, I swear. But... there is a quote I can't get out of my head and so 'for work purposes' it's allowed.
'Unslumping yourself is not easily done.'
If you're in a slump, where it's career or elsewhere -- give yourself a break, it's really, really hard to unslump yourself. This is why you need a plan and a person (or 3) to help you. Even if you're smart, successful, organised etc... people generally aren't very good at taking advice from themselves.
This isn't a gratuitous plug for business, it's something I wanted to write because the clients I've had recently who just get so angry with themselves about not having their shit together, or thinking they should know this stuff and getting frustrated about not being able to just do this stuff themselves. You do, but it's why everyone's got personal trainers now right? You know you should eat healthy and run around every day until it hurts (that's the technical term), but most of us need someone to kick us into action, get us past our comfort zone and hold us accountable.
Career-wise, this can be a mentor, a friend, a colleague, a coach. Start with someone you trust at work. This isn't for a whinge (that's what you do with your mates over a beer); figure out what they can help you with. What's working, what's not, but importantly be clear on what that person can do to help you - even if it's just figuring out what the next/first step could be.
Asking for help is not admitting defeat or showing weakness. If anything it shows strength in clarity, self-awareness and a drive for self-development. Hell, don't call it help, call it bouncing ideas around, whatever takes it out of that zone for you and makes you comfortable getting others on board. Did you know two-thirds of CEOs get outside coaching?
Miles Group CEO Stephen Miles in a statement. "We are moving away from coaching being perceived as 'remedial' to where it should be something that improves performance, similar to how elite athletes use a coach."
Even Coaches have coaches, Doctors have doctors, and Psychologists have psyches.
Even if you know what you need to do, whether its glaringly obvious, or somewhere deep at the back of your mind, everyone can benefit from support, and sounding board, a cheerleader or a kick up the arse.
Decide which one you need, choose the right person for the job, invite them for a coffee (I mean Coconut Water (sorry Mike, my PT)) and start the conversation.
There are over 7 billion people on this planet, there is no need to unslump yourself on your own.