Five signs it’s time to change jobs

By Sally Evans

There are times in the year when we are prompted to start thinking about making a career or life change. Sometimes it’s Christmas break, whilst we are living differently and wondering about what the new year will bring. Sometimes it’s September, just as the new academic year starts and we start to think about new beginnings too.

But whatever the time of year, sometimes our behaviour or our health may be prompting us to make a change. Here are a few signs that may help you to reflect and consider some life changes.

You often feel stressed and tired. 

Are you dragging your feet on your way to work? Are you lacking that spring in your step that you once had? Are you prone to bouts of irritability and low spirits? Any of these could be symptoms of rising stress and a warning sign that things may not be quite right for you. Try and take a moment to consider the message your lovely body is showing you.

You don’t believe in the organisation like you used to.

Remember a time when you thought your role was full of opportunities? Maybe a time when you were proud to say who you worked for? Maybe you’ve noticed an unhealthy shift in culture and the office isn’t quite the place it used to be? Well, shared values (between ourselves and our organisation) can be a powerful motivator but a lack of shared values or changes in what your workplace stands for, can really impact on your emotional health. Maybe it’s time to start looking for a company, organisation or role that you can believe in again?

You’re watching the clock!

Maybe you used to wake up excited about what the day will have in store for you. But now you are counting down the hours till you can leave? Everyone deserves and will benefit from a role that keeps you eager to make a difference. A role that uses your strengths is also a great way to ensure that you are working well, enjoying what you’re doing and ‘in flow’ - then the day really flies by. Maybe it’s time to think about what might reignite your passion?

Your work doesn’t seem to match up to your strengths or personal interests.

Steve Jobs once said, ‘the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle’. You may have found that you have ended up in a role because of the great skills you have developed, rather than what you really love doing. Now is the time to really understand your strengths and your interests and to see whether these can be combined in some great new role. Possibly even running your own business?

You’ve grown out of your current role.

Sometimes it may be difficult to see or accept that a role you have excelled in and have enjoyed, is just no longer enough for you? However well you get along with your colleagues, staying out of a sense of loyalty or even a hesitation because of the change, can eventually become quite demotivating for you. Are you ready for a new challenge? If you are reading this blog, I suspect you maybe!

Now is the time to do a bit of an audit - what are the skills, strengths and experience you have grown and built over the years. Are you ready for a new challenge or a change? Why not start to explore the changes and options you have. You may find some help and confidence by downloading and acting upon some of the free resources and LifeBuddy guides.

Sally is the Founder of LifeBuddy. She is an Organisational Development consultant and is a Practitioner with the Association for Business Psychology.