Should You Leave Your Job?

By: Lori Pedersen L.M.S.W

Most of us have to work for a living. Since we spend so many hours each week at our jobs, it’s very important that there is a good fit. If you have been feeling less enthusiastic about your work situation recently, maybe you have even begun to wonder if it is time to move on.

Here are seven signs that your job is no longer the right one for you.

  1.  You no longer look forward to going to work in the morning. This may seem obvious, but many people overlook it because it happens gradually. Think about how you felt when you first started working at your company. Most people feel pretty excited about their work in the beginning, looking forward to each day and thinking about the projects they will be working on. It’s normal for that enthusiasm to tone down somewhat, but if you notice that you are feeling bored, indifferent, or actually wish you didn’t have to go, maybe it’s time for a change. This is especially true if you’re spending 60 hours a week at your job, which is not unusual in today’s workplace. You owe it to yourself to do something that gives you satisfaction.

Try to identify what part of your work situation is bothering you. Distinguish between the aspects that you can fix and the things that you can do nothing about. If you can figure out how to spend more time on the job doing things that you enjoy, you may once again find yourself more eager to get to work in the morning.

  2.  You have lowered your standards. Most of us take pride in our work and our careers, and therefore set high standards for ourselves. If you have begun to allow yourself to turn in work that’s just good enough to get the job done, you have let your standards slide. This is dangerous because when you compromise your personal standards, your self-esteem will fall.

To remedy this problem, think about why it is happening. Maybe this kind of work no longer presents a challenge to you. If that is true, identify the types of projects that will get you excited. Perhaps you can volunteer for assignments outside your department. But if you can’t figure out a way to jump-start your job, you may want to start thinking about a change.

Should You Leave Your Cont...