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Episode #83
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If you are finding it harder and harder to have any enthusiasm about your job, and you’ve lost interest in things that used to light you up, you may have a problem. But is it just a temporary dip or is the whole situation a lot more serious? You need to look at the signs your body and mind are giving you to make the call. Let’s dive into the signs you need to look out for…
SIGN #1: YOU’RE BORED
Yep, simple as that. Boredom. Everything you do in your job becomes sleep-inducing. You can do your job backwards and you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, working your ass off not going anywhere.
Now we have all been bored at one stage or another in our jobs, but this is a different level, everything just makes you yawn. Projects and repetitive cyclical tasks that are part of your role become an annoyance. Your life becomes like the movie groundhog day, you know the one where the main character has to live the same day over and over and over! Except for you, it’s the same year.
Now, let me say here, it’s not because your job has changed, it’s because you have. You need something more in life now and that has left you feeling seriously unfulfilled where you are now. You know that something is not right. What used to bring excitement or motivation just doesn’t anymore and you feel like your soul is crying out for something more. You don't feel a sense of purpose in what you do day to day or it just doesn’t have any meaning any more.
SIGN #2: YOU FEEL OVERWORKED
Now, I’m going to say here it’s not really about doing long hours or working overtime. I know that may surprise you. After all when you feel overworked a lot of it is the hours you have to work and how much work you are expected to do in those hours.
That feeling of being overworked only really comes when you are no longer engaged or fulfilled in your job, or you have gone in a direction that does not feel authentic for you. . So the thought that you are overworked is in itself a sign that you need to leave the working world you are in.
Because, if you are engaged in your work and are passionate about it, you generate a huge amount of energy and the more you work the more engaged you get.
Feeling overworked can lead to feelings of overwhelm where everything just gets on top of you. It can also make you anxious as you don’t feel you can get everything done in the time you have, which can ultimately become very stressful and end in burnout if you are not careful.
Finally, it can give a feeling of exhaustion that doesn’t lift, no matter how much sleep you had. So if you are always exhausted, stressed or feeling anxious, it’s not normal and you need to make a change because if you are not careful it can lead to burnout which is more serious.
SIGN #3: YOU FEEL UNDERVALUED
You're putting in the work, but for whatever reason, you're not getting the recognition you deserve or you're not being included in important meetings or decisions, or you’re not getting the seat at the table you deserve. Although recognition is not all about money, it can affect your self-worth and make you feel undervalued. Feeling valued in your work is essential for your self-esteem and motivation. And when that need is not met it can really impact how you see yourself, which can affect your confidence and self-belief.
There is nowhere that you feel and see your work being valued more than when you work for yourself.
SIGN #4: YOU'RE PLAY ACTING
This is one that is harder to spot yourself doing but it’s definitely a sign that you are on the wrong path. What I mean by play acting is that because of the rules, ethos or norms of your current career, you are not really being your true authentic self. You can’t let all or part of your personality shine through because it does not ‘fit’ with that profession, sector or company.
Sometimes this goes on for years because you learn early on how ‘it’s done’ in your line of work and know that if you have a different approach, it’s not going to go down well. So you adapt and become the person that is seen as aligned with the culture of whatever company you work in, you become a chameleon. Never quite being your true self. So much so, you sometimes forget who that true you is!
We all do a certain amount of conforming or adapting in life and work, that’s how companies run and why you have company values and induction programmes where you are told ‘this is how we do things around here’.
But, you should feel in those inductions that you have come home, that the values are your values, that you have found your people.
So when does conforming turn into playacting? Well, it happens when you no longer believe in the values, rules and learned behaviours that come with your chosen career. But you have to pretend you do to be successful and continue to climb the ladder.
Play-acting can show up in different ways.
So it could be if you constantly find yourself holding your tongue in meetings because you know that there is just no point in arguing.
Or when you don’t feel right about decisions that are being made because they go against your values but know that is not going to change so go just with it.
Or you have to always act out of character, suppressing your natural confidence or divergent opinions so you won’t be labelled ‘awkward’.
Or the opposite, maybe you feel you need to act more aggressive or ballsy than comes naturally to you because you want to fit in or impress. This then leads to inauthenticity and can be hard to keep up long-term.
What I’m saying is, if you are not able to be authentically who you are in your chosen career, you will not be the best you can be.
SIGN #5: YOU’RE UNHAPPY
Sometimes one of the biggest signs it’s time to ditch your day job and pursue your passion, is that you are just desperately unhappy. Maybe even miserable. You just didn’t think like would turn out for you like this. You’re sad for all the opportunities you missed, or that you used to love your work but now it does not give you the same buzz, or worse love has turned to hate.
Yes, in your working life, there are ups and downs and you can’t be happy all the time. That would be a bit weird! But if you spend most of your time feeling generally unhappy about the situation you are in, that is a problem.
You deserve to be excited about your work and to feel a sense of purpose and meaning in what you do. So if you are long-term unhappy in your day job, and have tried all you can to improve things but nothing has worked, then it is time to consider what will make you happy in work and life and start putting things in motion to bring it to reality.
SIGN#6: PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
When things aren’t aligned in your life as they should be, your body usually shows you before your conscious brain does. So when your subconscious brain knows things are off, it sends out signals to let you know. So it’s really important to listen to your body, and look out for signs because it will be telling you in some way. All the things I’ve talked about like boredom, disengagement, overwork, stress and anxiety, feeling undervalued, playacting and unhappiness will show physically in some way. So look out for:
Long-term exhaustion, Headaches or other pains that have appeared for no other obvious reason, are you always catching colds or other bugs no matter what the time of year is? Do you find yourself getting emotional at work, either being close to tears or getting angry or really irritated for stupid reasons?
Your stomach and digestive system have a lot of nerves linked to the brain and are often directly affected by how you are feeling mentally, so stomach issues are often the first signs something is up.
Have you started to rely on alcohol more than normal, just to get you through the week? Or have you been putting on weight because eating chocolate and snacks is the only way you can get through the day.
Keep a look out for any of these physical signs and if there is no obvious medical reason why you are experiencing them, then it’s most likely going to connect to your mind and your emotions in relation to your job.
Sign #7 YOU’RE HERE!!
Seriously, as you have clicked on this page it’s a sign that it’s time to start making changes. You want to know what the signs are because deep down in your heart and soul you know that there will be at least one or two signs that resonate with you. Really you don’t need signs because you already know that you need to go it alone to be happy and get what you want out of life. But you are still a bit hesitant and looking for evidence and confirmation that what you are feeling is right. Don’t doubt yourself. Listen to your gut instinct on this. It will guide you in the right direction. Make the decision that you will me moving on and then decide what that move will be.
If you’ve recognised at least one of the signs in yourself, then the time has come to really think about making a change to go it alone. So you can be your true authentic self, and have the freedom to decide what work you do, where you do it and who you work with. Be able to choose your hours, and plan your holidays whenever you want because you don’t need to check with anyone. Create your own rules and infuse your work with the values and ethics you believe in If any of those things appeal to you, then you owe it to yourself to explore the ways in which you can become your own boss. You might be surprised at what’s possible!
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
Don't settle for a job that doesn't fulfil you, or that takes a toll on your physical and mental well-being. It's time to ditch your day job (well start working towards it, you know I always advise leaving in a planned way) and explore what else is out there. Your next adventure awaits, so decide what your next move is and make it.
>>FREE COURSE<< If you're feeling stuck and uncertain about what to do next in your working life, be sure to check out my free course "How to Decide Your Next Move." I guide you through the simple steps you need to take to get crystal clear on what you will do next in life, beyond the 9 to 5.
