Seven Signs It’s Time to Make a Change at Work

By Chasity Kuttrus

If you haven’t been feeling quite “right” with your current job then you might be ready for a change. Effective change can be small…or it can be a complete overhaul. Change might mean talking with your boss about new responsibilities, breathing new life into your current job, going for a promotion or possibly leaving your company altogether. The important thing is to recognize when you need change.

Here are 7 signs that you’re probably ready to make some adjustments in your work life.

Major Procrastination – Everyone procrastinates a little bit but if it’s becoming a big problem for you and you’re having trouble getting anything significant started, you may be in need of some change.

Bringing it Home With You – When you’re not happy at work and you come home and take it out on your husband and kids…you need to take some action, fast. If your job is making you miserable, and it’s spilling over into your personal life, take a closer look at what’s happening at work and see what you can do to improve the situation.

Boredom – If you’re bored, you need to spice it up. The good news is this isn’t too hard. Talk with your boss, do some research, see if there are parts of your job that you would like to expand upon and parts that make you yawn. Who knows, you may be able to delegate those things you get bored with.

Stressful Competition – When competition at work is no longer “healthy competition,” and you’re expending all your energy trying to one up others (or keep them from one upping you) then it’s time to make a change.

Letting Others Dictate Your Career Path – Even entry-level employees should be driving their own careers. If you feel like you are no longer in control of your own career destiny then figure out a way to get back in control.

Apathy – This one is extremely dangerous. If you don’t care about your work, your company, your colleagues or your industry, then do yourself (and everyone else!) a favor and make some major changes to reignite your your interest….or find something else that you do care about.

Unclear Path to Success – Do you know what you’re working towards? Do you know what success looks like for you and how you’re going to get there? If not, you need spend some time figuring this out. Talk with your boss, hire a coach, do anything to help you set goals and strategies for meeting (and hopefully exceeding) them.

Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, most of the time it’s good. But we all get set in our ways and change requires effort, so often we just continue with the way things are. Look out for signs you need to adjust and shake things up a bit…you’ll be much happier in the long run.