Sometimes going into work is tough. I mean, who doesn’t want to sit on the couch all day and binge on the latest season of Mad Men? Maybe you’ve had a tough project to finish and need a break, or you’re having a problem with someone at the office and you’d rather avoid them. These are normal frustrations that come with being an adult who works.
But sometimes, you’re beyond irritation and beyond a burnout. Sometimes, you’ve reached the point of no return, and it would be best to leave your job and find something new. If you’re suffering from any of the things below, it’s probably time to quit:
1. YOU HAVE A (BAD) GUT REACTION TO WORK
Always listen to your gut. Especially if it feels queasy or nauseous when you start thinking about having to go to work. That stomach turning sick feeling isn’t a bad dinner. It’s your nerves telling you that something is seriously wrong and the stress is getting to you.
2. YOU NEVER SMILE AT WORK ANYMORE
Think about the last time something happened at work that made you smile. Coming up short? That’s a problem. Work isn’t all fun, all day, but you should at least enjoy your co-workers and have satisfaction in your work.
3. YOU CONSTANTLY PROCRASTINATE
Remember when you used to put off your homework until “later,” because you really just didn’t want to do it? Well, work can sometimes turn into a grown up version of homework. You should feel excited and energized about doing your work, not constantly looking for ways to distract yourself and avoid it.
4. YOU REALIZE THERE’S NO ROOM TO GROW
Sometimes we like the environment we work in, but there’s no where else for us to go. Maybe taking your boss’s role is the logical next step, but you know that won’t be happening any time soon. Or maybe your company doesn’t have enough people for you to really move “up.” Either way, once you’ve recognized that you can either stay in the same job forever or leave, it makes your decision pretty clear.
5. YOU’RE BORED OUT OF YOUR MIND
Just thinking about your work makes your bored. You feel like you’ve done it all and there’s nothing challenging enough to keep your attention. It may seem like this isn’t a horrible thing, but if you’re bored with your work long enough, the quality will also suffer, and that will be a reflection on you.
6. YOU HAVE A “CASE OF THE MONDAYS” ALL WEEK
If you get a “case of the Mondays” on Sunday afternoon, and feel that you’re dreading work every evening for the entire week until Friday mercifully rolls around, then you’ve mentally checked out of work. Why spend all of your time somewhere that you don’t want to be?
7. YOU DON’T FEEL VALUED
You’re not just a number or a step in a complicated business process, but sometimes working at companies can make you feel that way. If you feel that your company doesn’t value you as a person, it’s time to go. Companies often want loyalty from employees, but as we’ve seen from recent events, they rarely return that loyalty. You deserve to feel appreciated and valued as a person and for your contribution to your company.
8. YOU DON’T FIT IN
Sometimes what your company values and what you value aren’t the same. It just doesn’t feel right. You value learning new things, and they value doing the same things that they’ve always done. If there’s no sign that this will be changing soon and that your values will eventually match up, chances are you’re going to continue being miserable and not agreeing with any initiatives the company takes. It’s ok to not have the same values, but it’s not ok to stay and be upset once you’ve realized the issue.
9. YOU CAN’T STAND YOUR BOSS
If you and your boss, no matter how much you’ve tried, can’t get along and work things out, you may just need to cut your losses. Having a boss that you can’t work well with, and who doesn’t support you, will not help you succeed. Instead it will make you resentful and frustrated.
If you’ve noticed any of these things happening a few times a week, don’t try and convince yourself that it’s worth staying. It’s not. You’ll only end up damaging your own reputation by mentally checking out at work, and making it harder for your team to do their jobs. There’s no shame in quitting something that makes you miserable. All jobs have a life cycle, and knowing when yours is up just means that you get to move on to greater things.
Featured photo credit: Viktor Hanacek via picjumbo.com
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