Career stagnation is the feeling of being stuck or unable to progress in your role. While feeling stuck is not exclusive to a career in marketing, that’s where I experienced it. It’s no coincidence that I began my career in media marketing and eventually encountered stagnation. In the fast-evolving world of marketing – particularly in media – it’s all too easy for this to happen.
Stagnation can show up in different ways: a lack of new challenges, feeling undervalued no matter how much you contribute, or a sense of plateauing in personal growth, creativity, or both. It’s that unsettling feeling when you seem to doing the same things over and over without the excitement or progress you once felt. Opportunities for advancement seem limited – or worse, non-existent – and you start to question whether your work is truly worthwhile. Is this what you really want to be doing with your life?
My Experience of Career Stagnation in Marketing in the Media Industry
I loved working in the media industry. Genuinely loved it. It was my dream job – until it wasn’t. At some point, I got stuck. The work focus shifted dramatically, and it no longer aligned with what I enjoyed. The team dynamics changed too—new hires brought a different vibe that didn’t match the collaborative, fun environment I thrived in. I’m all about teamwork and shared success, not self-promotion or claiming individual credit. But suddenly, I found myself surrounded by people with values that didn’t resonate with mine. And to top it off, there was no real opportunity for growth or promotion. I tried, but it felt like I was going nowhere. I was feeling stuck and my marketing career was at a point of stagnation, lacking direction, and I had no idea what to do next. Sound familiar?
Over the years, I’ve come across many marketing professionals – not just in media – who’ve reached this same point of feeling lost, stuck, and unsure of what to do next. Looking back, I wish I’d known then what I know now. I wish I’d known there were solutions, support systems, and who could help me find my way forward.
In this article, I’ll share some of the strategies and insights I’ve used since used to navigate my own marketing career. I hope they’ll help you rediscover your path, adapt to industry changes, and regain a sense of purpose in your work.
Signs of Career Stagnation
For many marketing professionals, the signs of career stagnation are often subtle at first but become more apparent over time. You might find that you’re no longer learning or pushing yourself beyond the routine, and new challenges are few and far between. Work begins to feel repetitive, and the excitement of taking on new projects gradually fades. Before you know it, you feel stuck, your career seems to be going nowhere, you question why you ever wanted to work in marketing.
Another key sign is feeling undervalued. You may be delivering results, but your contributions seem to go unnoticed or unappreciated. No matter how hard you work, recognition or support for advancement is elusive. This lack of support can manifest in a deeper way, where you realise no clear path for promotion or personal development. Do you ever feel as though you’re spinning your wheels, constantly busy but getting nowhere? That’s stagnation.
Plateaus are another sign of stagnation, particularly in industries like marketing and media, where innovation and creativity are essential. When your ideas no longer feel fresh, or when management and colleagues stifle opportunities to bring new approaches to the table, it becomes harder to find the room to grow and evolve in your role.
Common Causes of Career Stagnation in Media Marketing
With its constant shift in focus and technology, the media industry is particularly prone to creating environments where career stagnation can thrive. It is not uncommon to follow a career in media marketing and experience feeling stuck. Some common causes include:
- Whim and whiz. Media is highly influenced by rapid changes in market trends and audience preferences, compounded by the fast pace of technological innovation. A sudden pivot or shift in strategy leave marketing professionals feeling disconnected, disillusioned, or sidelined, especially when it clashes with their skills or interests.
- Staying trendy. As audience behaviours shift, marketers often struggle to keep up. If your company isn’t evolving fast enough – or if it’s evolving in a way that doesn’t align with your strengths, it can lead to frustration and feelings of stagnation.
- Pressure pots. Media is often a high-stakes, deadline-driven industry, dominated by intense performance pressures. When the focus is always on delivery and metrics, creative growth and learning can take a back seat, leaving you feeling burnt out and disengaged.
- If in doubt, throw it out. Frequent restructuring, leadership changes, or a focus on short-term gains over long-term strategies can disrupt team cohesion. These shifts often limit opportunities for personal growth and collaboration, creating an environment where professional development is sacrificed in favour of immediate results.
Common Effects of Feeling Stuck
Career stagnation doesn’t just affect your work – it can take a significant toll emotionally and mentally. The feeling of being stuck can sap your motivation. It becomes increasingly difficult to stay engaged or produce your best work. Over time, it can erode job satisfaction, leading to frustration, boredom, and even resentment. You may start to question your abilities or wonder if choosing a career in marketing was the right decision. This self-doubt can gradually undermine your confidence, leaving you with the unsettling feeling that it’s becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy – even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.
Professionally, stagnation can impact your long-term career prospects. Without new challenges or opportunities to grow, your skills and knowledge may fall behind or become outdated. This lack of development can cause your enthusiasm for pursuing new roles or responsibilities to wane. The longer you feel stagnated, the harder it can be to break free and make rational, informed decisions about your career.
Understanding and recognising career stagnation is the first step toward rediscovering your purpose and getting the clarity you need to move forward in your marketing career. By addressing it head-on, you can create a path that remind you why you chose marketing and opens new possibilities for growth.
Overcoming Stagnation – What Can You Do?
So, what can you do about it? How do you overcome career stagnation in marketing or any other profession? There are several strategies you can adopt, and I’ll share them with you in my next post. But for now, let’s focus on the concept of stagnation. Does it resonate with you? Does it feel like this is where you are at?
Take 10 minutes to reflect on the last few weeks or months. Write down specific moment when you’ve felt stuck. Then, look at each moment closely. Ask yourself: were you truly feeling stagnant, or were you just tired, overwhelmed, or having a bad day? Be honest with yourself. Not every difficult moment is a sign of stagnation – sometimes, it’s a passing frustration.
Keep track of these moments over the next week. In my next post, we’ll explore what steps can move you forward – whether you’re facing stagnation or a temporary setback.
Can’t wait? Sure you’re stagnating? Book a call, and we can talk through where you are and where you want to be. There’s no obligation, but you may find that the solution you’ve been looking for is in coaching.
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