You like your company and your co-workers, but you're bored of your job. Chances are you've reached a plateau and need to step out of your comfort zone. Experts say making a move from a position that has become routine is critical to furthering a career. Even tackling new projects within the same company can help. Pamela Mitchell, founder of the Miami-based Reinvention Institute, says that change can mean anything from taking on new responsibilities to switching departments. How to break out of the rut:

-- Pay attention to metrics. Lackluster progress reports and not hearing feedback from a supervisor is a good way to tell if your work has become routine. Aneil Mishra, an associate professor at Wake Forest's Babcock Graduate School of Management, suggests you constantly look at how you're helping the organization improve. Doing so can prevent you from getting complacent in a position.

-- Build a company support system. Developing continuing relationships with people in the company can help you stay informed about new opportunities. When Helen Arsenault, a senior vice president at Comerica Bank, moved from lending (where she spent 16 years) to investor relations, she says she learned about the job and made the transition with the help of her internal contacts. Ms. Arsenault wanted to develop new skills without leaving the organization.

-- Identify new skills. Drawing upon what you have learned or furthering your education to plan the next step in your career can help you make a smooth transition -- and give you a goal to getting out of a rut. Jason Hodges, who started to work toward a part-time M.B.A. at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business while working in Hospira's public-affairs department, agrees. Halfway through the program, Mr. Hodges says he realized his new knowledge would help him in his public-relations role at the pharmaceutical company and also enable him to contribute to other departments.

-- Get involved. Participating in the company's community or business initiatives is an opportunity to access the organization's senior people without the usual barriers. 'It's a great way to become known outside the work that you do,' says Ms. Mitchell. Start attending more industry events outside the company; they can be a gateway to unexpected opportunities and help strengthen your network.

-- Look within the ranks. Human-resources representatives or your supervisor will be equally aware of internal job opportunities and are interested in retaining talent. Talk to them about next steps you might take. Darrell Luzzo, president of the National Career Development Association, suggests speaking with people you trust within the company to let them know you are seeking new opportunities.

-- Make time for career research. Set aside time to explore new avenues. 'Think about your career like you do going to the dentist and getting a checkup every so often,' says Mr. Luzzo. If getting out of your comfort zone isn't possible in your current company, look for a challenge elsewhere. If you stay long enough, you 'become wedded to the culture,' says Mr. Mishra.

你喜欢所在的公司和同事，但是对自己的工作感到厌倦。这也许表明你已经进入一个平台期，需要行动起来改变安逸的现状。专家指出，如果工作变成了例行公事，那么做出改变对于职业生涯的进一步发展是至关重要的。即便是参加公司内部的新项目，也会有所帮助。迈阿密Reinvention Institute的创始人帕梅拉·米切尔(Pamela Mitchell)表示，从承担新的职责到转至新的部门，改变可以是多种多样的。那么，如何打破现状呢？

－－关注评价。如果上司对你的工作进步反应平平，或是没有什么反馈，这无疑表明你的工作已经成了例行公事。Wake Forest大学Babcock管理学院的副教授安尼尔·米萨(Aneil Mishra)建议，你可以经常反省自己是如何帮助公司向前发展的，以免变得骄傲自满。

－－在公司内建立网络。不断建立和发展与同事的关系将使你消息灵通，不会错过新机会。当Comerica Bank的高级副总裁海伦·阿森诺特(Helen Arsenault)从干了16年的信贷部转到投资者关系部的时候，她表示是同事透露了这一消息，并帮助她顺利转职的。她一直希望能在不离开公司的前提下学到新的技能。

－－培养新的技能。利用你所学到的知识技能，或进一步深造，为今后的职业发展进行规划，这样的举动将帮助你顺利进行工作过渡，为你树立一个打破现状的目标。对此，詹森·霍奇斯(Jason Hodges)深表赞同。他在医疗产品公司Hospira的公共关系部工作的时候，参加了西北大学(Northwestern) Kellogg商学院的非全日制MBA课程。在读到一半的时候，他就意识到自己学到的新知识对工作很有帮助，同时也能帮助其他的部门。

－－积极参与活动。参与公司的公益或商业活动是接触公司高层的好机会，而且不必担心会碰到什么障碍。"这是工作以外让别人知道你的好方法，"米切尔说。多多参加公司外部的行业活动更可以为你带来意想不到的机会，扩展你的交际范围。

－－与同事交流。当然，人力资源专员或你的上司对公司内部的工作机会都是一清二楚，他们也想留住人才。你可以与他们谈谈你下一步的想法。全美职业发展协会(National Career Development Association)的主席达雷尔·卢奥(Darrell Luzzo)建议，你可以与信任的同事进行交流，让他们知道你正在寻求新的机会。

－－寻找外面的机会。留出时间发掘新的机会。"你会定期去看牙医，做常规检查，而工作也是如此，"卢奥说。如果目前在公司内部难以转职，无法摆脱单调乏味的工作，你可以在外面寻求新的挑战。如果在公司呆得太长，你就会对于现状完全麻木了，米萨说。
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