Is this a bump in the road or is it time to leave?
We all have challenging days. But when do changes in your work life add up to: “it’s time to move on?”
Following are six signs that it is time to leave, taken from a recent article in Harvard Business Review:
*It is no longer encouraging your growth. If your work responsibilities are no longer helping you grow, then this could be a problem. Try to see if you can take on some new duties that will provide growth opportunities. If not, this could be a sign.
*You’ve achieved what you set out to achieve. If you took the job with some specific goals in mind, then it may be time to check those boxes and look for the next challenge. Coasting in one place is not ideal.
*You actively look for ways to avoid your job. There can be many reasons that this may happen and none of them are good. Maybe you are burned out and it is time to take a vacation. Or maybe it is time to move on.
*You regularly approach work with exhaustion, burnout, or dread. If you don’t practice good self-care then look in the mirror. This is not a job problem, it is a YOU problem. And the next job won’t be any different. But if you practice self-care and are exhausted – this could be a sign.
*It’s causing you to develop bad habits. This could be the result of an unhealthy culture. If you find yourself taking on bad habits then it might be time to get out.
*Your workplace has become unhealthy. If you can work with your supervisor to fix this, then give that a try. If they are the problem then you need to decide to wait them out or go.
If these signs are resonating with you then DON’T QUIT your job! Yet. Take some time to reflect and make sure that you are not just going through a bad phase.
If you are still convinced after some time, then begin the process of exploring your next move. Take a big picture view and think about the overall career path you want to follow in the future. Reflect on your purpose and the kind of work you think will fulfill that purpose. Then begin your career exploration. It may take some time, but your next best job ever is out there.
*Ideas for this blog taken from: Coleman, J. “6 Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Job,” Harvard Business Review Online, February 8, 2022.
