Whether it’s called “burnout”, boredom” or “apathy” there are fewer more demoralizing feelings than toiling away at a job where your efforts go unnoticed.
Every employee has a need to be appreciated. Yet most of us have, at some point in our working lives, felt like what we do isn’t being noticed. In fact, a recent Gallup Poll found that 65% of American workers felt unappreciated.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who feel trapped in their current job, take a step back and evaluate your situation. Is it the job? The company? Your boss? Could you be happy doing your job at another organization? If you conclude that your current job will continue to leave you feeling unfulfilled, then it’s time to explore a new direction.
The following are 4 signs to help you decide whether it’s time to consider a change of scenery:
You’re Not Feeling Challenged
Does it ever feel like you’re just coasting through the workday? Is your manager giving you projects that you could do in your sleep? If so, do you really want to spend another year in a job where you feel stagnant? When your career has switched to autopilot, and you’re no longer learning or growing, it might be time to find another path.
Your Relationships are Suffering
Are you spending countless hours in the office each week working on dead end projects? Does your significant other complain that they never see you anymore? Is your job making you irritable at home and with family? If your career is sucking the life out of you, chances are you’re on the path to burnout, and it’s not only affecting you, it’s harming the people around you. That’s a definite sign to seek out other career options.
Your Job Isn’t Aligned with your Values
Do your personal values include things like leadership, flexibility, or creativity? Is your current job letting you live your values? In the long run, a career path that’s closely aligned with your values and talents is the key to professional fulfillment. So, if the answer is no, it’s time to search for alternatives.
Your Health is being Compromised
Is your job affecting how you feel? In the U.S., 120,000 deaths a year could be attributed to stressful work environments, according to Jeffrey Pfeffer’s book, Dying for a Paycheck. Stress comes in many packages and if you’re being under-utilized in your job, it’s likely causing increased anxiety about your career. When your health is on the line, that’s an unmistakable signal that it’s time to make a change.
A Final Thought
If you feel like you’re invisible or underappreciated in your role, it may be that, even after everything you’ve tried, the problem is a bad boss, an unfulfilling job, or a toxic work culture. At that point, consider what you need to do. Are the benefits of staying where you are really worth it? Change isn’t always easy—but as the famed author and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn once said, “Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.”
Lanmark Staffing provides over 40 years of combined human resources, recruiting, temporary placement, sales and management, and temp-to-hire services. Visit our website and learn how our team of experienced professionals can help you find the right job and prepare for success.