Fears are often a game stopper. They are often seated in our
subconscious as the result of experiences, beliefs, and thoughts.
Once they are rooted in our subconscious it takes a
reboot to remove them.
The surgery is not a difficult one. We can reprogram our
subconscious one thought and belief at a time until we have changed our
paradigm.
Fears have accumulated in our subconscious and act as
limiting beliefs.
If we feed our subconscious new positive thoughts about
who we want to be and what we are going to do to get there, (Our Transformation)
we will soon have a new operating subconscious system. Our reboot. Our new
paradigm.
How "Stuckness" Fuels Fear:
- Fear
of Stagnation: Feeling stuck can breed the fear of
being left behind, becoming irrelevant, or not progressing in their
career.
- We
might worry about our skills becoming outdated or missing out on
opportunities.
- Fear
of Unfulfillment: Being in a stagnant role can lead
to a fear of not reaching our full potential or finding true satisfaction
in their work.
- This
can create a sense of unease and anxiety about our long-term career
trajectory.
- Fear
of Being Overlooked: Middle managers who feel stuck
might fear that their contributions are not being recognized, hindering
future advancement or even making them vulnerable during organizational
changes.
- Fear
of Losing Relevance: In a rapidly evolving business
landscape, feeling stuck can trigger the fear of our skills and experience
becoming less valuable, impacting their future employability.
- Fear
of Disappointment: We might fear disappointing
themselves or others (family, mentors) if they don't achieve their career
aspirations.
How Fear Contributes to
"Stuckness":
- Fear
of Change: The prospect of moving out of a
comfortable (even if unfulfilling) role can trigger fear of the unknown,
failure in a new position, or disrupting existing relationships.
- This
fear can prevent us from seeking new opportunities.
- Fear
of Failure: Middle managers might be hesitant to
take risks or pursue promotions due to the fear of not succeeding in a
more challenging role or making mistakes with greater responsibility.
- Fear
of Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone: Feeling stuck
can sometimes be a byproduct of staying within familiar boundaries.
- The
fear of venturing into new areas, learning new skills, or taking on
unfamiliar challenges can perpetuate this stagnation.
- Fear
of Difficult Conversations: Addressing the feeling
of being stuck might require difficult conversations with superiors about
career development or seeking feedback.
- The
fear of these conversations can prevent us from taking necessary steps.
- Fear
of Not Being Good Enough: Underlying the feeling
of stuckness can be a lack of self-belief or a fear that we don't possess
the necessary skills or qualities to advance. This fear can paralyze us
from pursuing growth opportunities.
The Vicious Cycle:
The interplay between feeling stuck and experiencing fear
can create a negative feedback loop:
1. Feeling
Stuck: Leads to frustration and a sense of stagnation.
2. Increased
Fear: This stagnation fuels fears about the future and our
capabilities.
3. Avoidance
Behavior: Fear can lead to avoiding actions that could alleviate
the feeling of being stuck (e.g., seeking new roles, asking for development
opportunities).
4. Reinforced
Stuckness: This inaction further reinforces the feeling of being
stuck, perpetuating the cycle.
The Middle Management Context:
This alignment of stuckness and fear can be particularly
acute for middle managers due to their unique position:
- Sandwiched
Responsibilities: They often have pressures from
both senior leadership and their direct reports, potentially limiting
their autonomy and creating a feeling of being trapped.
- "Plateauing"
Concerns: The middle management level can
sometimes feel like a plateau in our career progression, leading to
concerns about future advancement.
- Visibility
and Risk: Moving up often involves greater
visibility and potentially higher stakes, which can amplify the fear of
failure.
Breaking the Cycle:
Addressing this alignment requires interventions that
tackle both the feeling of being stuck and the underlying fears. This might
involve:
- Self-Reflection:
We should start with identifying the root causes of our stuckness and our
specific fears.
- Goal
Setting: We define clear career goals and
develop actionable steps to move forward.
- Skill
Development: We find opportunities to learn new
skills and build confidence.
- Mentorship
and Coaching: We find mentors and sponsors for guidance
and support to navigate career transitions and overcome fears.
- Reframing
Negative Thoughts: Challenges limiting beliefs and
fostering a more positive and growth-oriented mindset.
- Taking
Small Steps: We start with small, manageable actions
to build momentum and reduce the fear of the unknown.
In conclusion, for all of us, the feelings of being stuck
and experiencing fear are often deeply interconnected, creating a significant
barrier to our empowerment and career progression.
Recognizing this alignment is crucial for developing
effective strategies to help break free and move forward with confidence.
Do you feel stuck?
Want to discuss your current situation, let’s have a chat