When All Else Fails...

...Leave the company or group that you are in for one that you can get 100 percent behind.

If you have wholeheartedly tried any or all of the seven suggestions and you are continuously frustrated or unhappy with your career, you have two options left.

The first option is to take a deep look at yourself and see if there is a mindset that you can change that will help you be more successful. Point the finger back at yourself and make sure your reality is aligned with the company's.

The second option is to work for someone else. I have heard since my first day at Microsoft that "Working for Microsoft is not for everybody." This does not mean that if you do not work at Microsoft, there is something wrong with you; it just means that some people like the culture and can adapt to it, and others cannot. Apparently, a lot of people still think Microsoft is a good place to work. According to human resources records, 300,000 people applied for a job at Microsoft in 2004.

Microsoft Sidenote: "Don't Let Anyone Run You Out"

When I first started at Microsoft, I had a wise manager tell me, "Over time, you will get burned out, shortchanged on your review, or just plain frustrated with the organization." He said that it happens to everyone in every company, but the key is, "Don't let anyone run you out of this company. Leave on your own terms if you decide to go." He went on to say, "If you feel any of the things I just mentioned happening to you, switch teams or groups. Whatever your driving needs in life are basically what gets you up in the morning can be found here at Microsoft. It is a great company." He is still at Microsoft after 20 years and is probably why I am still here after 15 years. I still seek his advice on occasion.