Blogging is a whole lot of writing about what you know. As your life changes, your content is likely to change slightly, or significantly, to reflect that. That’s just the nature of humans, you know? Since I am currently focused on career and job changes, I’ll warn you now, there’s probably going to be an influx in career/productivity/and self-care posts.
Quitting my job wasn’t an abrupt thing. It was, unplanned and abrupt, but it was a long time coming. It was something I’d been considering and was never transparent in my active job search. Things just happen, and sometimes it’s not the way you intend or prefer. Today I wanted to review the signs I’ve experienced that were telling me to make a change (+ tips on how to act upon them).
6 Signs It’s Time for a Job Change
You’re physically feeling it.
Listening to your body isn’t a new concept. You hear it all the time in terms of health and intuition. Maybe you’re constantly tired, aching, having headaches, not sleeping–these are all possible symptoms from negative stresses from work. Listen to your body. Perhaps taking a vacation or taking on one less project a week will help for some. But sometimes it’s bigger than that.
Last year, I made an appointment with a cardiologist experiencing heart palpitations. I got a diagnoses–basically my normal heartbeat is a lot faster than other normal heartbeats and causes problems like exhaustion and dizziness. He gave me some medicine, and for the most part that has helped. I would still experience these palpitations from time to time, but then I noticed something interesting.
I went on a vacation with some girlfriends in March, and I was in North Carolina on holiday for about a week. I didn’t experience a single heart palpitation while I was there. I returned to work, and I was having palpitations as normal as usual since I started taking the medicine. However, in the last week? Nothing. I’m convinced 30% was actual biological stuff, but 70% was stress from work (or a percentage distribution similar).
You’re bored/annoyed/frustrated.
The biggest indicator that I’m craving change is getting bored or easily frustrated. In regard to my job, I was tired of mundane tasks, being asked repetitive and seemingly obvious questions, the every day of a retail job. Regardless of your situation, quitting may not necessarily be the answer. Maybe you need to ask for more responsibility or a new project.
Getting your mind to focus on something new, even something small, can give you a break from the ordinary long enough to relieve your frustration.
Your have vivid daydreams about quitting … often.
A lot of people push thoughts of quitting aside and chalk it up to having a bad day. No one loves their job 100% of the time. But if you find yourself imagining yourself quitting more often than not, maybe it’s time to make a few changes. Comfort, security, and routine can be reasons we hinder ourselves from leaving, (trust me … I know) but can’t be the reason we keep ourselves in a less than satisfactory situation forever.
While I don’t think you should continuously make excuses not to quit, I also don’t think you should use quitting as a fix all to getting out of a rut. Sometimes getting out of a rut only requires a short vacation or a new task. Use your intuition, and adjust accordingly.
You’re at a plateau.
Whether you’ve reached your max earning potential, stunted your growth, or your passion went from increasing to stagnant, hitting a plateau is a pretty solid indicator it’s time to shake things up a bit. In my retail job, I’d spent three years without a raise and had no room for growth. I lost all of my incentive to care, and it showed.
You’re jealous of other people’s success.
No one wants to admit they’re jealous of someone else’s success, but I don’t think it’s anything to be ashamed of. We all get envious at one point or another. It’s normal to feel a hint of jealousy when our peers are surpassing us in their careers. But the thing about jealousy is that it’s a reminder of what you are also capable of.
I’d see my peers in jobs they enjoyed, and I became a bit resentful with every promotion or excursion I heard about or saw on social media. And then it hit me: I can do that, too, I’m just not doing it. As I said, everyone will feel jealousy from time to time, but if you’re frequently brooding, it’s time for a switch.
You’ve said “my job makes me miserable” + meant it.
I’ve never met anyone who truly loves every part of their job, every day. It’d be a luxury to get every day we request off, have the exact hours we thrive in, and get paid double. But the reality is, there’s always a con. And that’s fine. However, if you’ve described your job as making you miserable and meant it, that’s problematic.
I noticed micromanaging from upper management, the hours keeping me away from friends and family, among other things were taking a serious toll on my mental health. I didn’t feel in control anymore, and I was spending my off time anxious and lethargic at the same time. I lost my productivity at work and at home. It wasn’t good. Most of us spend a lot of our week at work, and if you’re genuinely miserable, you’re not in the right place.
Tips for Making a Change
Tell someone.
Talking to someone about the issue will make it more difficult to talk yourself out of taking a stand and making a change. If it’s a therapist, a career counselor, or even a friend, telling someone will be a huge step in the right direction.
Consider higher education.
Whether you want to stay in the traditional workforce or start your own business, taking classes or going back to school could be a huge help. Maybe you don’t for a graduate degree, but taking a few classes to learn a new skill and build new connections can help land you a new opportunity you love.
Get your mind the right place.
Change is hard, that’s why so many people don’t take the leap. Daily workouts, meditation, journaling, or just “you time” will shift your focus. Change is exciting, but it also can lead to self-doubt and confusion.
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