Stop Dragging Your Feet. Six Signs It’s Time to Find a New Job.
I once had a colleague flat out ask me why I just didn’t quit.I had another announce in front of a large group that she was down right furious with me for staying in a job I hated.
At the time I thought I had good answers for both: I wasn’t a quitter and I had a wedding to pay for.Turns out, underneath those seemingly justifiable answers stood a truth I wasn’t willing to face, I was flat out scared to leave.Scared because I didn’t want another blip on my resume, scared because I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d do next, and scared that leaving would mean something about me.
Looking for a new job certainly isn’t a picnic. It amazes me the wide array of excuses people come up with to avoid doing it.Suddenly, when presented with the option, they start back tracking claiming how their current job “isn’t really that bad.”
Inertia is a powerful thing. So is fear.
I’ve especially seen this be true when it comes to ending relationships.Professional or romantic, it doesn’t seem to matter, we tend to avoid breaking things off until the relationship has soured beyond salvage and we’re left with absolutely no choice but to exit. Until we are no longer afraid of the unknown.
Take it from me, when it comes to building a career you love, waiting for things to get so bad that you have to leave — is a crappy strategy.If you want a new job, but you’ve been dragging your feet — this is for you.
Even if you hate your job, it can be easy to ignore that all the signs point to you leaving sooner rather than later. So I’ve compiled a list of signs to remind you that its time to pull the trigger.If you’re regularly experiencing even one of these things — then you’re stuck in a job that isn’t working for you.
Here’s the push you’ve been waiting for:
- You’ve lost respect for your boss.
Lacking respect for your boss practically breeds discontent and cynicism. Without even a mild level of trust and respect it’s going to be very difficult to do, nevermind enjoy your job.
What to do about it: Find a leader you respect and go work for them.
2. Your values are radically different from your organizations.
When business practices and behaviors start rubbing you the wrong way, it means the company isn’t the right fit for you.
What to do about it: Find somewhere that is a good fit.
3. You could do your job in your sleep.
It’s common to complain about being overworked, but just as hard to deal with is being under challenged.
What to do about it: Make sure your manager knows what you are capable of, and if they aren’t willing to help you grow and develop, find someone who is.
4. Sunday’s are ruined with thoughts of work.
When the enjoyment of your weekend is cut short as the work week approaches, something needs to change.
If you regularly get sad, angry, or agitated in anyway on Sunday afternoon or evening, its time to change something.
What to do about it: Start filling your Sundays with joy.
5. Work is all you can talk about.
When you hit the point where all you do is complain about work, while at work, at home and with friends, then its time to go.
What to do about it: Find work that you don’t need to complain about.
6. You are experiencing abuse of any kind.
Emotional and mental abuse are pretty common in the workplace, and they are totally unacceptable.They are also completely not your fault.
What to do about it: Take a stand against abuse and get out.
Staying in a situation where you said yes to any of these is bad for you and everyone else involved. It’s time now. Go ahead. Take the leap.
Dragging your feet because you don’t know what comes next for your career? Then it’s time to consider What’s Next, a four week group coaching program that will help you get unstuck and find a job you love. Join the next cohort starting in April!!!
Originally published at danatcampbell.com on March 24, 2016.
