Do you dread going to the office every day? If the prospect of work no longer excites you, maybe it’s because you’ve nailed yourself to a dead-end job. But there’s hope. Here’s what you can do to unstuck yourself and get that spring back in your step whenever you head for work.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask. You may have unwittingly given others the impression that you’re content in your position because you’ve never spoken about how you really feel. Now is the time to let your superior know that you’re bored, that you’re ready and willing to take on more challenging tasks. Taking on bigger responsibilities will keep your adrenaline pumping again-and may succeed in making management give you a second look.

2. Extend yourself. Sometimes, it’s our own fault that we’re caught in a rut. Have you become too complacent on the job, afraid to leave your comfort zone? Have more initiative. Dress smart. Volunteer for high-profile projects. Brush up on new skills and development. Keep reinventing yourself. Don’t allow yourself to fall behind in the self-improvement department.

3. Hone your skills for a coveted job. You may have been overlooked by the promotions committee because you lack some skills needed for a higher position. Find out what qualities are required for the job you want. If you need more technical knowledge, consider taking night studies to get the know-how and, more important, the certification to back up that know-how.

4. Make a lateral move. It may seem a circuitous route to the top, but it just might work. If movement in your department has all but stopped, try a sideways move to escape an untenable situation. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears sharp for more promising openings elsewhere within your company. It may mean staying in the same job level and receiving the same salary, but it might offer more in terms of challenges, responsibilities, training and, yes, prospects for promotion.

5. Leave as a last resort. And if you’ve tried everything and nothing works, your best action may simply be to move on. Some things just don’t work out, through no fault of your own. Your boss may just be blind to your strengths. Or there’s really no room for more at the top. Or you may just be in the wrong job at the wrong time. There are so many factors you are not privy to and over which you have no control. What you know is how you feel. And when you’re sure that you’re no longer happy in your job, it’s best to take whatever concrete step is necessary to help yourself.