How do you feel about work the next day when Sunday evening comes? Are you happy, or does the idea of sitting in the office give you feelings of dread and stress? Do you find yourself regularly complaining to your friends about your job frustrations?
While every job has its highs and lows, you might yourself wondering whether what you’re doing is right or the time has come for you to switch to another career. Of course, switching careers carries its own risks and hassles. So how do you know it’s time to change your career paths? Here are a few indicators.
1. Your Skills are Not Fully Utilized
It’s time to move on if you feel that your skills are not fully utilized or underappreciated. When you first signed for the job, you probably assumed that you had skills to help the company appreciate and utilize to achieve its goals. But being stuck answering calls when you actually have the knowledge and skills in other areas is a quick way to become unhappy with your job. If you find yourself in this situation, then it’s time to reinvigorate and move to a career where you’ll feel valued.
2. You feel Bored All the Time
There are days you’ll experience some boredom at your office, which is okay. However, if you constantly spend time staring at the clock or counting seconds until the end of the day, you might be ready to leave your current job and switch to another one. It’s essential to remain engaged and challenged in your work as it gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment, making you an all-rounded happier person.
3. You Have Major Issues with Your Boss and Coworkers
Your colleagues have a significant impact on your level of motivation and happiness. While it’s natural to have disagreements with coworkers or not get along all the time, if it becomes a struggle to deal with workmates every day, it might be the right time for you to move to a new career. Constantly being aggravated by your coworkers, especially the boss, adds stress to your already stressful life, making you more uncomfortable.
4. You Daydream About a New Career
How do you spend your lunch breaks or free time while at your place of work? If you find yourself fantasizing about a new career, this is a clear indication that you need to move on. Rather than wasting time daydreaming about it, switching your career path is an option you should consider. There are plenty of ways to explore new career opportunities such as browsing through Linkedin or taking a few online courses.
If you dream of working in tech, why not take coding courses to learn the basics such as javascript, HTML, or r for data science essentials just to name a few. This might be your calling for a new career.
5. Your Job is Affecting Your Health and Personal Life
Work should be challenging but not debilitating. If you find yourself constantly feeling tired, stressed, losing sleep, migraines, or other physical symptoms, this may be your body’s natural way of telling you that it’s time for a career change. If your current job turns you into a bitter and unhappy person, start exploring opportunities that will make you feel like yourself again.
6. You’re Jealous of Your Friends Jobs
Feeling jealous about the careers of your friends and family members can be a critical directional signal that you’re not satisfied with your current position. Instead of dismissing jealousy as a bird thing, try to analyze the jobs that will make you happier and consider taking your next move.
7. You’re Only there for the Cash
If the only reason you show up for work is money, then it’s probably the right time to make a move and switch on to a new career. Yes, you have bills to cater for, but there are dozens of ways of making cash, and it doesn’t have to be soul-sucking.
8. You Dread Going to Work
It’s normal to feel that you need to spend an extra hour in bed instead of getting up for a job. There are also other times when you’ll consider quitting your job for a lie-in. However, if you always have that sense of dread every day you wake to prepare for a job, you may need to switch your profession. If the first thought of reporting to work every day fills you with stress and dread, it’s not right for you. If you find yourself constantly daydreaming about a different career path, it’s time to quit your job and embrace a change that aligns with your passions and ambitions. Work stress has adverse effects on your body and mind and can even lead to health issues down the line. If this is your current situation, consider moving on.
9. You Constantly Think of Quitting
Are you obsessed with the notion of retiring or quitting? Do you spend time thinking about how it would be if you could simply leave the doors behind your office for good? Listen to your thoughts as there’s something wrong with your job, and this could be the time to switch to make a career path plan.
Conclusion
If all this sounds familiar to you, then it’s time for you to change your career. Take some time to explore how you would like that change to look. The goal here is to move to a new job that will make you feel more fulfilled.
Author’s Bio:
Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus. To learn more about the r for data science essentials, Tracie recommends looking into Codio.
