Avoiding Career Stagnation: The Houseplant Metaphor for Professional Growth

“You know those houseplants that have been in a pot too long? When you take them out of the pot, you see the coils of roots circling around and around, just barely wedging in the container. That’s how I feel here.”

I told a coworker this once to describe how stagnation felt in a past role. Houseplants confined to a small pot may not necessarily die. They can survive, but their growth is minimal, and gradually, they begin to look quite forlorn. This is a powerful illustration of what happens when we stay too long in a role that no longer challenges us or offers room for advancement. We might continue to function, but our professional growth is stunted, and our enthusiasm dwindles.

The key takeaway here is the importance of ensuring we don't limit ourselves professionally by staying in roles that have become too restrictive. Just like a houseplant needs repotting to continue growing, we need to find environments that allow us to stretch our roots, develop new skills, and take on new challenges.

Seeking out and thriving in such environments is perhaps the best career advice one can receive. These opportunities do exist, and it's crucial to be proactive in seeking them out! If you find yourself in a position where you no longer feel that you're growing or being challenged, it might be time to consider a change – to 'repot' yourself, so to speak.

Need help determining the ideal role for you? Check out my easy guide to create a checklist of your non-negotiables. It’s super simple and helped me when I felt lost in my career search. Let me know if it works for you!

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Michelle Flores Vryn, CFRE is a nonprofit leader, fundraiser and consultant. She is recognized as an engaging speaker, teacher and writer on how to accelerate nonprofit impact through sustainable growth. You can reach out to her for speaking engagements and trainings.

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn and check out her [re]generative nonprofit blog for more insights on the social sector.