A few thoughts from a person who used to feel like this, and is now in their 30’s, having done everything from startups to big tech companies, and now feels super happy with their career:
1) great job for posting and seeking help! By doing so you’ve already taken the first step to moving in a better direction, which is more than a lot of people
2) A ton of people, myself included, felt like you are describing. Multiple times. Stuck, falling behind, wasted years, unsure about direction, etc. It is discouraging and I feel for you. But believe me when I say that it is very likely you will get to a awesome place eventually. You’re in the hard part now of not knowing the future
3) Long term (2-5 years) the best road map to turn this around I can recommend is a book call “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport. It changed my life and helped me build a high value career I love. The basic idea is that you should find rare and valuable job skills adjacent to what you can do currently, and then put in time learning them. This over time leads to an incredibly fulfilling and lucrative career. If this is the only thing you get out of this post, it will be worth it
4) Short term: if this job is killing you, apply to other jobs. Do this by email/text/message 10-20 people you know tangentially at other companies and just say “Hey I am looking around, any roles at your company I should consider?” That’s all that’s needed, no “networking”. Then when you go to interview, prep for them by preparing what questions they might ask and prep answers. Try to find a job that will give you skills in a valuable direction related to what you are familiar with now
Hang in there. From what you describe you have a bright future. I can see that from my vantage point but understand it may be hard to see now. You got this!
1) great job for posting and seeking help! By doing so you’ve already taken the first step to moving in a better direction, which is more than a lot of people
2) A ton of people, myself included, felt like you are describing. Multiple times. Stuck, falling behind, wasted years, unsure about direction, etc. It is discouraging and I feel for you. But believe me when I say that it is very likely you will get to a awesome place eventually. You’re in the hard part now of not knowing the future
3) Long term (2-5 years) the best road map to turn this around I can recommend is a book call “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport. It changed my life and helped me build a high value career I love. The basic idea is that you should find rare and valuable job skills adjacent to what you can do currently, and then put in time learning them. This over time leads to an incredibly fulfilling and lucrative career. If this is the only thing you get out of this post, it will be worth it
4) Short term: if this job is killing you, apply to other jobs. Do this by email/text/message 10-20 people you know tangentially at other companies and just say “Hey I am looking around, any roles at your company I should consider?” That’s all that’s needed, no “networking”. Then when you go to interview, prep for them by preparing what questions they might ask and prep answers. Try to find a job that will give you skills in a valuable direction related to what you are familiar with now
Hang in there. From what you describe you have a bright future. I can see that from my vantage point but understand it may be hard to see now. You got this!