How to get my arse in gear and out of my too-comfortable rut?!

[FMFL]

I have been working with my company in the public sector for 17 years. Early on in my career I was highly motivated and keen to progress but after a stressful life crisis and issues with a bullying manager (now long gone) I seemed to lose all motivation and confidence. I have been in my current role for over 10 years now and can’t bring myself to apply for anything new as I am sure I’ll be shit at it, and that I’ll fail miserably, so I don’t even try. I used to be extremely capable and heaven knows I could do with the increased salary and I’m beginning to feel extremely angry with myself that I’m so useless, and resentful of those passing me on the ladder. I have 20+ years left at work; can anyone relate and perhaps give me some pointers as to what they did/do to build confidence and find the motivation to move on up? TIA

You could begin by making an appointment with your manager and asking to discuss opportunities within the company. Frame it positively....you feel you're ready for more responsibility and can they advise you of any opportunities which might be coming up.

are you me? seriously that exact post, right down to length of service, could have been me.

It's rather sh*t isn't it?

I am applying for everything I can find but I fear my length of service with the one employer puts people off. Plus most similar jobs are lower paid not higher paid and I don't want to take a pay cut.

I've had many sideways moves but I don't feel I want to work here anymore.

I stayed too long in a cushy role (I was paid a lot to sit at home waiting for the phone to ring essentially) and became completely deskilled. Leaving was a wrench, but I just had a nagging sense of 'this can't be it' about my career.

I actually jumped from the frying pan to the fire as I'd become so deskilled I couldn't get the type of work I really wanted (next rung up) so thought sideways move then upwards and ended up taking a job that was shite, walked after 2 months but now am in a job I really like. Not a massive step upwards.. more of a half step.. but doing new stuff and out of my comfort zone and using my brain again! So I know the 'cosy slipper' feeling, and it is a big risk to move but... if you don't try you'll never know.