If you find yourself unhappy and unfulfilled at work, you have two choices – to try and improve the situation with your current company or to move on.
Both options can be daunting and challenging – especially if you don’t know where to start – but the critical thing to remember is that you should love (or at least enjoy) your job since we spend so much of our life at work.
The first thing that you need to do is try and find out what the root of the problem is. You could be unhappy because of a lack of growth opportunities, an unreasonable boss or because your workload is too heavy.
Here are a few signs to help you recognise that it’s time to do something about your current situation or potentially start thinking about your next career move to something better. In this blog, we will talk about how you can resolve these issues by looking for new opportunities elsewhere.
Feeling undervalued
Putting in long hours at work and pushing yourself to the best of your ability, only for your hard work to go unnoticed, can be demotivating. You were being made to feel underappreciated impacts your daily motivation in the workplace.
Workplace motivation is a complex concept that can be demotivating. You were being made to feel underappreciated impacts your daily motivation in the workplace.
There are many reasons for workplace motivation to drop, but it’s not always easy to figure out what is going on.
The most common causes of low workplace motivation are:
- Lack of appreciation and recognition from your boss or higher-ups
- Feeling like you are underpaid
- Lack of opportunity for growth within the company
This can lead to anger, frustration and resentment – none of which are healthy. Suppose you’re feeling undervalued and can’t see the situation improving.
In that case, it might be time to work for an employer where you’ll be respected, acknowledged, appreciated and rewarded appropriately for your work.
You’re bored
Feeling a little bored within a job can be expected – after all, every role comes with its share of tedium. However, if you’re feeling bored and uninspired at work, it might be time to reassess your career.
There are many reasons for feeling bored in a job, but the most common one is when the work is monotonous and routine.
If you’ve found your job boring for 6-12 months, try conversing with your manager about how you feel. Ask for more responsibility, new challenges and ongoing training and development opportunities. If you don’t see changes after your chat, consider whether you’ll be happy at your company long-term or whether it’s time to think about moving on. If this sounds like your current position, it might be time to find a new job that will keep you engaged and energized.
Stuck in a routine
You should constantly be developing and learning, no matter where you are in your career.
In the past 12 months, Can you recall new knowledge and skills you’ve gained? Did you feel stretched or challenged?
If not, you may be stagnating. Talk to your manager and ask about additional responsibilities or new projects you can lead or be part of in your team or other parts of the organisation.
You should never stop learning and developing in your career, no matter where you are in your journey. This is something that you have to take to your heart and it will make you a better person. It has also helps you grow as a professional.
If this is not facilitated or welcomed, it may be better to find an employer who is committed to your continual growth.
Feeling anxious
Are you struggling to sleep at night or spending your Sundays dreading the thought of work?
Don’t miss the physical signs; take the time to listen to your body. Anxiety about work could manifest as a lack of energy, appetite, restlessness, poor sleep and general irritability.
If workplace stress impacts you after hours, on the weekends and even while you sleep (or don’t sleep), consider whether it’s healthy to stay where you are.
Workplace stress has been linked to a wide range of negative health outcomes, including increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression.
Workplace stress can have serious consequences for your physical and mental health. It can also impact your family life, making it difficult to spend time with them.
It’s important to take steps to address the root cause of the stress in order to prevent it from taking over your life and affecting the people around you.
Constantly talking about work?
You have just finished work for the day, yet you want to constantly vent and talk about the day.
Talking about a bad day here or there with your family and friends is normal — but when you come home day after day unable to focus on work-related stress, that can be a sign.
Look at how you talk about your job; perhaps ask your family and loved ones what themes come up when you talk about work. If they’re mostly negative, this could be a sign to search for a new job.
It is important to take the time to reflect on your life and start thinking about what you want it to look like. The first step is figuring out what kind of job you would like, then from there you can start figuring out how to get it.
The first step in getting a job that you want is figuring out what kind of job you would like. From there, it becomes easier to figure out how to get that job.
If you experience these five warning signs, it’s time to make a change. Either work towards a solution with your current employer or work towards finding a new job.
If you’re looking for your next career move or want a confidential chat about movements and opportunities in the market, contact Renaissance consultants on info@renaissanceconsulting.com.au