You’ve been at your current job for some time now and you’re feeling stagnant. Should you stay or should you go? First, what’s your goal? Have you been hoping to climb the corporate ladder (and you’re at a point where you’re feeling stuck)? Have you simply wanted to make a lateral move, possibly from housekeeping to the front desk?

Whatever your career goal is if you have been in the same position and haven’t seen any growth or movement, then staying put in your career may be harmful to your potential. What can you do about it?

Here are five reasons why staying put in your current position may be unfavorable and how to avoid doing it.

1. Your salary rate creeps slowly

When you hold the same position for any length of time, you may only see slight pay raises, comparable to the cost of living or rate of inflation.

To avoid that situation, when moving to another company, one that recognizes your skills and talents, you’re likely to see a more generous raise in your income potential and/or a step up in your position (i.e., perhaps you shift from desk clerk to customer service supervisor).

2. Your skills are stagnant

While your expertise has grown by working in a specific area with one company, you haven’t experienced growth in other areas. If you want to climb the ladder, your lack of skills may be detrimental.

To prevent that, do your best to vary your capabilities on the job. Step outside your comfort zone, and tackle new challenges when they’re presented to you. This helps you transfer skills either internally, moving from one department to another, or to a totally new job opportunity with another company.

3. You are in a rut

Similar to point number two above, your current position has become routine and you feel stuck. Every day seems the same, doing the same tasks day-to-day, month-to-month, etc. You’re not feeling challenged. For someone who has ambition and the desire to excel, this can be harmful to your growth.

To overcome this, stay open to other opportunities. This doesn’t mean you have to constantly be on the lookout for new job openings. Oftentimes, when you are connected and take advantage of nurturing relationships on a platform such as LinkedIn®, opportunities may come to you when you least expect them (read more about LinkedIn here.

4. Your job doesn’t fit your life any longer

When you started this position perhaps you were single without a family to support. Now you’re married with children who count on you. Or maybe, you used to rent a home and now you own one, with a mortgage to pay. In either situation, changes like these in your life no longer fit with your career and/or the salary you’re earning. 

To support your current lifestyle a new position within your current company or with a new organization, can result in a significant increase in your income. Therefore, it may be time to seek out an opportunity that fits with where you are today vs. where you were in your personal life when you started.

5. You are viewed as an unmotivated employee

You’ve gotten comfortable in your position. You know your job and do it well. However, your employer may see that as a lack of motivation and therefore, consider hiring someone who seems hungry and more passionate about the job. 

Before that happens to you, you might consider moving on to a new position, and a new company, with new challenges. This would keep you on your toes, sharpen your skills and contribute to your professional (as well as personal) growth.

Give some thought to the five reasons we’ve presented here. Then, decide if staying put in your career has been harmful to your growth.

And if so, remember that it’s never too late to shift gears and make a change. As one of our Hcareers’ authors, Debra Jason, wrote in her book Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget™, “While it may take some of us longer to make a change – even if it’s painful – it opens the door to new opportunities, new relationships, and new adventures.” 

Interested in changing departments at your workplace? Find out how to do so here