If you are having a difficult time at work, it might be time to consider a change. Ask yourself the following questions to help you determine if it’s time to move on:
1. Is your job negatively impacting your health?
If your job is causing stress that disrupts your sleep routine, it is time to reevaluate your work situation. Furthermore, if job-related stress is causing you to eat less than normal or overeat, it might be time for a job and lifestyle change to find a better balance in your life.
Work-related stress can lead to a variety of health problems, from insomnia to heart disease. It is important to identify and work to improve the situation or leave the job, if necessary.
Your physical health is a prime indicator of your mental health. If you are experiencing frequent headaches, colds, or other illnesses, then it may be time to find a different work environment that will improve your mental health and happiness.
2. Is work-related stress impacting your mental health?
- Do you hate getting up in the morning when you have to go to work?
- Do you only complete the minimum required in your job?
- Do you feel underpaid and underappreciated?
- Do you dread the day ahead?
- Do you feel stuck in your job and have stopped learning?
If you answer yes to any of these, then it is time to consider a change. Consider working with a career counselor, who will help you assess your career values and strategically plan specific, measurable, achievable, and result-focused career goals.
3. Do you feel trapped in a tense work environment?
Frequent arguing with coworkers or managers leads to unnecessary stress and can impact your productivity and job satisfaction. If your workweek is stressful because you are interacting with difficult coworkers, there are useful strategies that may help alleviate the situation.
4. Does this job challenge you?
- Are you frequently bored, irritable, or looking at the clock?
- Are you experiencing low productivity because of the lack of challenge?
- Do you receive warnings about your performance or behavior?
If you are experiencing these issues and feel your current job lacks the potential for change, then it is time to consider a career move.
It is important to be aware of these warning signs, but even if you need a change, that does not mean you will know what career change is best.
If you are unsure of what career choice best suits your personality, tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) questionnaire match personality types with ideal career options.
5. Does your current job fit your long-term goals?
If your job does not suit your long-term goals because of the schedule, insufficient salary, unrealistic demands, lack of medical benefits, or other important reasons, then it is time to reevaluate your work situation.
It is time to rethink your career path if your job is not an ideal fit with your future goals, such as traveling or raising children.
The next steps
Some issues, including tension with coworkers, are often fixable so that you don’t have to leave. However, it is important to have an exit strategy if you decide it is necessary to leave your current job. Looking for a new job before you quit will give you something positive to focus on and income while you are searching.
The bottom line
No matter what, it is crucial to give your current employer at least two weeks’ notice and keep the conversation with coworkers positive in order to leave the job on good terms. Leaving a job on good terms has many benefits, including receiving strong professional references to get that new job that is better suited to your life and happiness.
