5 Signs It’s Time To Move On From Your Job And Maybe Your Career!
Have you been feeling stuck, fed up, demotivated or disenchanted at work? Have you been feeling uninspired, unheard and undervalued? Do you feel like you are not realising your potential, that you are capable of more, that you are meant for something bigger?
They might all be signs that you need to make some changes, but are they signs you need to move on from your job or current career path?
As a coach, I help people to navigate their career, business and life transitions.
Yep all the meaty stuff, the big life decisions that rarely happen overnight even if they feel like they happen all of a sudden!
And as you can imagine, job changes, career changes and career ditching are pretty big ones.
In this day and age, it is far more common and acceptable for us to change jobs, even change industry or our career path.
And even if moving on from a job is a difficult decision, it feels possible with the choice, opportunities and the means available to us - we can literally apply to other jobs whilst we are at work!
Switching careers, however, can feel more challenging perhaps because a lack of previous or official career capital, industry experience, connections know-how or clarity.
Even more so now than ever perhaps, like me, many are dreaming of and taking the plunge to go out on their own, start something new, create success on their own terms and live their freedom departing from that traditional concept of career, the 9-5, to embrace something less conventional, restrictive, industrial revolution-esque.
The professional landscape is shifting with remote, hybrid and flexible working on the rise, more emphasis on company culture, identity and social impact.
With the internet and technology as enablers and opening up career possibilities for those of any age and any stage, this makes for exciting but potentially overwhelming times.
And just because we can do something, we trained in something and that is our career capital to date - it doesn’t necessarily mean we should or need to stay doing that thing, on the same trajectory or doing one thing. We can in fact have squiggly and multi-hyphenate careers!
All of that said, how can we determine whether our next career move should be on the horizon?
If you are considering moving on from your job or a change in your career path but need some reassurance that is the right decision, here are 5 signs it is probably time...
1. Motivation is at an all-time low
Are you living for the weekend and filled with dread on a Sunday knowing that Monday is looming? Are you struggling to muster the energy to get out of bed in the morning to go to work? Have you noticed that you’re starting to let things slip because you’re feeling bored, disenchanted or undervalued?
The bottom line is most of us spend the majority of our time at work, and whilst you might not feel motivated every day, you do need to derive a sense of purpose and worth from your work which ultimately provides you with the motivation to show up and do what you do well.
But it is important to decipher whether it is the job that needs a shake up or you. If you aren’t looking after your physical, emotional and soul health - e.g. you could really do with a good sleep routine, to let go of negative influences in your life outside of work, to have more fun, a holiday! It’s not necessarily the job that is at the core of the problem.
The bottom line is, you must take responsibility for your career health, motivation and success.
Sure you can hope that exciting opportunities keep coming your way or look to your boss, personal development gurus or business leaders for inspiration, but hoping won't get you what you want.
The most powerful thing that you can do is to start paying attention to what lights you up professionally and personally, what you are passionate about, where you derive your sense of purpose from and to figure out why you do what you do. For example, to make a difference, to support your family, fund your love of travel or to buy yourself nice new shiny things…
When you know your motivators, you can start to steer your career and life accordingly, to set yourself up for success and continue to set yourself rewarding goals that you are excited and driven to make happen in this job or outside of.
If you are doing everything within your power to support your best self in and outside of work and things still aren’t feeling good - it’s definitely a sign it is time to move on.
2. Not fulfilling your potential
Do you know that you are capable of more than you are currently achieving or how you are performing? Are you feeling under-utilised, held back and frustrated in your current role? Does your boss regularly reschedule or just skip your one to one’s at work? Or, do you feel that little care or attention is given to your skills development, career progression and future at the company?
If you answered yes to one or many of the above, then it’s definitely time for some action.
One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is that fulfilling your potential requires taking ownership and making things happen for yourself. If you want that promotion then you can’t just expect someone to notice you because you do a good job and show up on time, you need to be strategic – go the extra mile, be aware of your perceived weaknesses and work on them whilst playing to your strengths, put your hand up to do something outside of your everyday remit, start doing the job before you’ve been given the title, give the right people a reason to pay attention to you and actually self-promote! You get the gist.
If you can honestly say that you have taken responsibility for your own development, that you have taken the initiative, spoken to your boss and let it be known that you’re looking to develop and grow and need some support, that you have joined that course, shadowed a colleague that you admire, asked for a mentor or coach – basically that you have exhausted all opportunity then perhaps it is a sign that you have outgrown where you are or that the lack of company investment in you isn’t worth your frustration or blood, sweat and tears.
If the progression that is available isn’t appealing then you probably need to ask yourself if you are in the right place, profession or industry. Of course, there could be an absence of inspirational role models which makes the climb to the top less appealing but in my experience that was a driver to be one.
Either way, if not fulfilling your potential is your pain point then you need to take action and either step up or move on.
3. Company culture and values don’t align with yours
This is a biggie and something that is hugely underestimated. Are you ever left feeling uncomfortable by the conversations, conduct or politics in your office? Do you feel that your work is missing the human element, you know where people are treated like people, not just numbers or units of productivity? Do you struggle more with relationships here than you have ever done before and it is causing you to lose confidence and question yourself? Or, do you feel that you just don’t fit in?
Again, if you answered yes to one or more, then alarm bells should be ringing.
Our values are the things that we deem most important to us, they are the foundations upon which we should build our lives and are a bit like our moral compass if you like. So, if something goes against them, for example, say honesty or integrity make up your core values and your company doesn’t operate in that manner, chances are you won’t be very happy there.
Cultures vary incredibly from organisation to teams even, so don’t feel defeated if an organisation doesn’t feel right for you but also don’t be afraid to explore your options internally or elsewhere including different roles. Allow yourself some time to think about what kind of work and environment you’re best suited to and enjoy e.g. fast or slow paced, lean and innovative or large and corporate, work from home or office vibes! We all have different preferences, personalities, beliefs and values that will determine where we feel happiest and thrive.
4. Not feeling like the best version of you
So there’s lots of factors that could contribute to this one but let’s focus on you at work. Are you aware that work is the trigger or cause of your stress or anxiety? Are you constantly feeling exhausted and low on energy? Are your ridiculous workload, unrealistic deadlines or pressures causing you to neglect your own needs and well-being? Have you found yourself putting the gym on the backburner and reaching for that evening glass of wine instead to relax after work? Do you feel like the company or your boss don’t take you or your well-being seriously?
There’s nothing more important than our health, well-being and happiness so if you feel this is being compromised then an intervention is required immediately – not after the next big deadline or at the end of a busy quarter – now. Burnout is serious and you won’t be much use to anyone in the long run if you ignore your needs.
Again, no one can take responsibility and ownership of our well-being other than ourselves so it’s important to recognise whether the company is actually placing unrealistic expectations on you, whether they realise it or need to be made aware, or actually whether it is coming from you or external factors like personal relationships.
Start to pay attention to your patterns and behaviours and then create some boundaries and positive habits that protect and support your well-being; for example, practising meditation before work, diarising your work/meetings and making an effort to leave on time.
If it is the company that is not respecting your boundaries, then perhaps it is time to move on and find somewhere that does. More and more companies are starting to place value on work-life balance and employee well-being but for many it is just buzzwords and in actuality the existing systems, practices, attitudes or expectations don’t really support the “vision”. But these companies need to step up and if they’re not prepared to do so and look after their employees then they are not worth working for.
5. Not doing what you love
Ultimately, if you’re not doing what you love then why are you there? Okay, I get to pay the bills but if that is your best answer then I beg you to reconsider your current career choice! I am sure you can agree that life is just too short to waste time on things that don’t bring you joy, meaning, satisfaction or purpose so if that is the case then it’s definitely time to move on.
Not sure what else you would rather be doing? Take some time out to reflect on what you are passionate about, where your skills and strengths lie, what you’d like to learn and what your alternatives are. You may not have the answers right away and your next job may not be the dream one – Rome wasn't built in a day right! But girl, will it be worth it when you are doing what you love, in your element, your power, your purpose, achieving your potential and having impact for the greater good.
Working with a coach is an incredibly enlightening and empowering process that will enable you to gain greater self-awareness, clarity, focus, and to create a vision, roadmap and action plan for your dream career and life so that you can make those things become a reality. Yes, that was a shameless plug but it’s true! If you are feeling completely stuck then it makes sense to get professional support to help you move forward, onwards and upwards. After all, some of the most successful people in the world work with coaches, cue Oprah.
If after reading this you feel it in fact could be time to move on from your job or your career, to pave the way for future you and that dream life - you are know where I am!
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By Mikaela Jackson, founder of She Almighty, career, business and life coach for aspirational women, mission-led leaders and founders.