So, you thought you had your dream career, and you may have started working with genuine interest and excitement. Yet, over time you find yourself empty and start to wonder if you’ve made the right decision for your career path. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
One sign that you might not be happy with your career is that you are reading this article. Even though boredom and stress at work can show up differently for each person, if you’re unhappy with your line of work, there are usually telltale signs.
The 7 Signs
1. The thought of going to work gives you anxiety
Most people would admit a few instances where they didn’t look forward to going to work. Maybe the project they’ve been working on just doesn’t excite them, and they don’t really feel motivated to continue working on it.
Though it’s not unusual to have an occasion where you don’t want to go to work, usually this is only temporary. But If you wake up every morning with a pit in your stomach or you constantly need to convince yourself to go to work, this is a strong indication that you need a career change.
2. You are daydreaming and searching for new jobs
One of the most common signs that it’s time for a career change is when you find yourself fantasizing about other careers. As a result, you’re constantly wondering if there are other opportunities out there.
This can be a sign that you are not satisfied with your work or feel like something is missing. You may become bored and find yourself daydreaming more often than doing actual work, which could lead to a decrease in your performance.
If you’re sitting at your desk, browsing jobs, or daydreaming about working from home, then, it’s probably time to find a new line of work.
3. You have low energy and no interest
No one is expected to be completely enthralled by their job every single day. We all have those days when we can’t give 100%. However, this shouldn’t be the norm.
Losing energy can be a result of having to pretend to love your job. Faking enthusiasm for your job day after day can be energy-draining and soul-sucking. Over time, this takes a toll on your mental and physical health.
If you feel like your job is not stimulating enough or that you are just going through the motions, it may be time to take a step back and assess whether this job is really right for you.
4. You have become discouraged about making a change
You may be doing a good job, but you lack the motivation to suggest valuable ideas to your supervisor or spark change inside the organization.
Your ideas may have been shot down previously. Maybe where you work, suggestions for improving the company’s product or culture are met with silence rather than the appreciation they deserve. A lack of appreciation for good ideas can lead to a feeling of discouragement and low motivation. This is a huge sabotage to your professional growth.
5. You don’t get time to rest
Your body may try to tell you something, but your mind may refuse to listen. Work-related worries and tension might prevent you from relaxing and falling asleep.
There is a serious problem if your job keeps you up at night or wakes you up early in the morning. Don’t disregard the signs of chronic stress since they might have grave consequences for your health. It would help if you listened to your body’s signals about changing your professional life.
6. The only thing you like about your job is the salary
It might be time to find a new job if the only reason you go to your current one is because of the salary. We all have responsibilities to pay for, but there are many ways to make money that won’t leave you feeling resentful every day.
You can’t expect success or happiness in any area of life if your primary motivation is financial gain. The issue with this is that it’s not usually something we can keep up forever. When we lack passion for our jobs, it becomes easy to turn into a robot-like state where going through the motions becomes normal.
7. You become easily agitated
When life at work starts feeling like a constant battle and nothing seems to satisfy you, it could be a sign that the job isn’t for you.
The smallest inconveniences seem to irritate you more than usual. You become highly reactive to any stress whether big or small. In a span of time, it begins to spill into your personal life where you become impatient and lash out at everyone.
If you can’t seem to shake the feeling of being overwhelmed this is a red flag that you may need to change careers.
Transition with a plan
A career change may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Re-assess your skills and interests and make a plan to explore new job opportunities.
Although changing your career may seem intimidating, it is important to do something you’re passionate about. Formulate a plan to make this process less stressful. Look for ways that will help ease the transition and aid in acquiring new skills. One way to consider this is to assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Once you spot your ideal career, you must know how to stand out by strengthening the skills on your resume. Giving yourself a competitive edge will give you a better chance to get hired for your dream job!
Takeaway
A career change is a big decision to make, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back from pursuing a job that makes you happy.
Take the time to assess your skills, interests, and ambitions and find an opportunity where you can thrive! With a plan of action in hand, you’ll be able to transition into the job you truly want.
