( CareerBuilder.com ) -- You have a job , and it 's a good one at that . But something is missing . You are n't really challenged anymore . You 've been doing the same thing too long . Your company is n't likely to be promoting anyone soon because it has just gone through a major downsizing , merger or takeover . You have two choices : Quit and start over somewhere else , assuming there is somewhere else to go ; or look closer to home , right in your current company , to see what other ways your talents can be put to use . Getting out of your career rut requires a mental tow truck . Rev up your brain and consider these points : . 1 . Adjust your pace . If you told a 500-meter sprinter who was 250 meters into the race that he was now going to be running a mile , what 's the first thing he 'd do ? Of course , he would change his tempo . He 'd stride differently , pace himself differently . The first thing any sensible employee does in a downsized company is to do the same . Realize the path between promotions may now be longer . The rules have changed in mid-race . Tear out your hair and curse the gods if you think it 'll help , but the worst thing you can do is make believe it did n't happen . 2 . Analyze your competition . More than ever , it 's important to know whom you 're up against for those few remaining slots . What are the other people doing ? What are they overlooking ? Is the next promotion slated to go to somebody outside the company to bring in `` fresh blood '' and `` new perspectives '' ? Analyze yourself , too . How marketable are you in the outside world ? Get to know your value and your options . 3 . Look for sideways growth . If you ca n't grow going up , can you build your credentials and experience through lateral moves that would teach you new skills ? If you 're dead-ended in programming , explore the prospects in marketing . There 's never been a company yet that did n't need more sales . Give yourself an alternative route . It 's a great way to improve your promotion odds long term . 4 . Study the corporate culture . Does the company favor a certain way of doing things ? Is there a corporate style ? When you study the way the winners do it and compare that to the way you do it , you may not like what you see , but you 'd better see it . 5 . Take a look at your personal risk factor . Sure , there are ways to move up faster , but before you leap , look at the risks involved . If your advancement opportunities are fewer , you may have to find ways to stand out from the rest of the pack . You may fall flat on your face trying , but are you willing to take the chance ? Do you have any bold new ideas to propose ? Will you take on projects that really stretch your abilities ? You can get yourself noticed , and you may get ahead in the process , but your risk of failure increases , too . I 'm for trying . Go the extra mile . It 's never crowded . You 'll fail some of the time . If you do n't , you 're not trying hard enough . If you want to be the leader of the pack , you have to be willing to stick your neck out in front of the others . Sometimes it 's risky not to take risks . 6 . Draw up your plan . Add up all the factors : pace , competition , long-term growth options , risk and the hard facts about advancement . Then put down your plan , in writing . 7 . Measure your results . If you can , share your plan with your boss , and then measure your own progress on a fixed schedule . If you still do n't seem to be going places , it 's time to tune up the résumé and look around for a new track to run on . It 's been said that the hardest part of climbing to the top of the ladder is getting through the crowd at the bottom . I would add that the first step is the hardest one to take . Mackay 's Moral : Get off your butt if you want to get out of the rut . Harvey Mackay is the author of `` Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door : Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You , '' as well as the New York Times No . 1 bestsellers `` Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive '' and `` Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt . '' & copy CareerBuilder.com 2011 . All rights reserved . The information contained in this article may not be published , broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority .
Best-selling author Harvey Mackay : Retrain your brain to get out of career rut . Study your corporate culture and your competition . Adjust your pace in changing times and consider going sideways for growth . Draw up your plans for future and measure your growth .