We all get complacent at one time or another in our personal as well as our work lives. The problem with complacency is that we can become stuck – too comfortable with our situation – with the company, the job and/or our co-workers.

When people are in this mode of complacency, they are being set-up to have their “boxes shaken up” when they get a new boss or when a corporate merger takes place. How can you inoculate yourself from this kind of “box shaking”? Find out if you are in a career rut by asking yourself the following questions about your last year.

• What new skills have I learned at my present job?
• Do I know what other people who are doing comparable work are earning?
• Have I taken any classes to expand either my technical or interpersonal skills on the job?
• Have I thought about my plans and goals for the next year or next five years?
• Am I aware of new problems or needs that my department has?
• Am I aware of the direction my company is taking?
• Have I attended any professional meetings during the past year?
• Have I been reading up and keeping current with present trends in my industry?
• Am I talking with others about the job market?
• Do I read career books and articles to get a sense of how to apply to new jobs?
• Is my resume current?
• Am I being adequately rewarded for my work?

The above questions are meant to stimulate some soul-searching. Perhaps you are happy with your job. If you aren’t you may be suffering from career inertia. Ask yourself what’s causing this inertia. It may be time to think about your next move.

Sometimes big steps begin with little ones. Maybe it is just taking that class you’ve always wanted to take, or going to the library to do a bit of preliminary research on your next possible job. Anything to get you out of that rut. People who are in career ruts are usually not ready for their next job. Don’t let yourself have your box shaken up for you – do it yourself!