For years, Kathy had been the glue at her company. Clients raved about her responsiveness and flexibility. Her superiors marveled about how she anticipated issues before they exploded. Colleagues recognized her as the one you turned to for advice, the can-do team member who got things done.

But something was wrong, and she knew it. She just didn't want to admit it. Sometimes, it was a flash of anger when a little thing went wrong. Other times, there was a restlessness, a yearning to escape. Too often, fatigue gutted her. Her feelings continued surging; the cracks started to show.

We have all experienced these same sensations at work. At some point, we'll find ourselves falling behind. We'll concede our lives haven't gone as planned. We'll realize that we should be so much more. And we'll know that something needs to change—and fast.

Early on, we probably imagined how our careers would unfold. We would exceed expectations, be recognized, and climb up the ladder. There would be no ceilings; any roadblocks would only be temporary. Of course, career trajectories rarely go from point A to point B. Like Kathy, we sometimes get stuck, and it eats us up inside. And even if you know that you are lucky to have a job when reading about massive layoffs is a daily ritual, you can still feel stuck. In fact, it could be compounded by feeling guilty, hopeless, or just plain depressed.

Overcoming career stagnation can be as dramatic as a defining moment that alters your path or a simple as a change in routine or attitude. Either way, it requires self-evaluation, planning, and choice.

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