How to Tell If You Need a New Career Challenge

Does your job give more than it takes from you? Your answer may be a clue that you need a new career challenge.

While your job doesn’t need to be your favorite thing in life, it should be pretty high up on the list. After all, you give 50% of your time awake on this earth Monday-Friday to your employer.

This enables you to live the lifestyle you want to live. Experience adventure in the places you want to visit. Give to your family and others to make the community a better place.

But there’s a cost. 

When evaluating your situation, know that the cost should not be negatively impacting your present or your future.

The true cost to you is your opportunity.

Your opportunity to work somewhere that values your skills.

Your opportunity to reach your potential by having the right development.

Your opportunity to earn higher compensation by having new experiences.

Your opportunity to be seen, heard, and valued.

The cost of you trading your time here on this earth with your chosen employer should be balanced with a healthy give and take. 

The relationship you have with work is just that, a relationship. 

Relationships have boundaries and when the boundaries are no longer serving their purpose and the relationship is no longer serving you, it’s your duty to yourself to let it go.

But how can you tell for sure that it’s time to move on? After all, a career change is an intimidating move — especially if you’re feeling conflicted.

If you’re unable to answer “Yes,” to “Does your job give you more than it takes from you?,” it’s time to dive deeper to understand what’s happening. 

Just because you grew up with the notion that “there’s a reason why ‘work’ is called work,” it does not mean that work needs to be mundane, a dread, or a time suck. I’m here to tell you it’s okay to want more.

7 Signs You’re Ready for a New Career Challenge

In this article, you’ll find 7 warning signs that signal it’s time to make a change with your job.

1. You’re Not Learning Anything New

No matter where you are in your career, there’s always room for growth. You should be presented with new challenges and opportunities. Projects, scope, and responsibilities give you the room you need to grow. It’s the only way to keep yourself sharp and moving on up in your career. 

There’s a difference between learning something new that helps you on your path, and learning something new that doesn’t serve your needs. Take stock and really determine if what you’re learning is helpful to you and your path and if you’re not learning anything new altogether, start looking for something different.

2. You Live For the Weekend

There’s no problem with looking forward to the weekend because we all do it. But when that’s the only thing on your mind, it’s a red flag. Your career shouldn’t cause major feelings of dread.

For the average person, roughly a quarter of the week gets spent on work activities. If you’re spending that time feeling miserable, take this as your sign, it’s okay to want more.

3. You Don’t Feel Like Caring Anymore

Do you still put in an effort at work? During work hours, most people are on their best behavior and follow company policies. If you’ve found yourself slacking or feeling careless, it’s a sign of being disconnected to your work. 

When you’re disengaged, you care less about what’s happening at work, and to you in your career. It’s time to get back in the driver’s seat of your growth.

4. The Cons Outweigh the Pros

Grab a paper and pen to create a pro and con list for your current position. List out every positive and negative that crosses your mind. After you’re done, review what you’ve written.

If there are more cons than pros, consider branching out for something different. Find an opportunity that allows you to feel more connected, valued, and one that gives you energy.

5. You Only Say Negative Things

Complaining about work feels good. It’s a way to let off some steam and clear your mind of whatever’s bothering you. However, it becomes a problem when there’s no longer anything good to say about work. 

When all you have are complaints, it’s a clear sign that something is wrong. “It’s not you, it’s me” – that’s how the saying goes. It may be time for you to say this to your boss.

6. You Lost All Your Motivation

To keep up with work, especially in fast-paced environments, having motivation is essential. You have to want to get things done. If you start feeling less and less motivated, you’re bound to run into career stagnation.

A lack of motivation could lead to more problems at work, too, like missed deadlines. A change in work performance is a huge red flag! Get out and get ahead of this (head straight for the 2 things you must-do before you make a career change below).

7. There Isn’t Work/Life Balance

You need clear boundaries between work and life. The balance that forms between them should help prevent burnout from occurring. When you can’t find that balance anymore, it will take a toll on your health and mindset. 

A healthy work environment is crucial to your happiness! No amount of money is worth your health – take this red flag seriously.

2 Things You Must-Do Before You Quit

The initial reaction when a red flag resonates with you and your situation is to quit your job. There are two things you must-do before you quit (and I’m not talking about the obvious with notifying your manager):

1. Get Clarity

Before you dive into making the decision to ‘let go’ of your employer, think through the next few questions:

>> Is quitting the right answer for you? How will it change your situation?

>> Can you pinpoint where the issue is occurring? Can it be narrowed down to one or two people, projects, or a department?

>> Is your situation one that could be resolved internally? Like a salary discussion? (See more on how to approach a salary discussion).

>> What would make you change your mind to stay? What do you need?

Oftentimes when you have the itch to change roles or even change companies, you’ve been thinking about this for a long time. It may be that your colleagues or your boss are the main source of frustration.

2. Revisit Your Career Roadmap

When you don’t have a career roadmap, it’s difficult to see your growth and it’s easy to get overwhelmed doing all the things instead of the right things for you and your path.

Often this leads to going with the flow in your career.

Bad habits arise like making short-term decisions that ‘feel’ good at first but you run out of steam in the long run. 

The mistake of going with the flow in your career may result in you ending up at the wrong destination. The ‘flow’ you were tied up with may have been in someone else’s best interest.

Having a personal roadmap gives you the power to say “No” to roles and situations that don’t serve you. When you experience a red flag or one of the 7 signs that it’s time to move on, a career roadmap makes it easier for you to make a change. One that is in the best interest for you and your career.

A career roadmap enables you to reach your full economic potential – giving you an opportunity to live the lifestyle you want regardless of where you are today.

You will feel the power to say ‘No’ when opportunities don’t suit your path.

You will feel peace-of-mind when others are moving at a different pace than you because you know where you’re headed.

It’s a career game changer to always know what your next career move is.

A plan sets everything in motion. Makes your goals more attainable. Enables you to take charge.

Your work is an extension of your unique path. Act like an owner in your work to get more.

Lasting Thoughts

When you’re in control of your career, you’ll be more engaged and happier in your work. With 50% of your time awake on this earth Monday-Friday being dedicated to work, this is a MUST.

Your next step is to join my free masterclass to get unstuck and gain confidence in your next career move — plus grab the free script to use with your boss to get the right growth opportunities to help you advance your career.