It’s that time again on Sunday night, when you find yourself slouched up on the couch, scrolling through your Facebook feed and chomping on that last chocolate chip cookie. Sounds familiar? If it does, then you’re right there with about 65% of American workers who experience Sunday Night Blues every week.
Although you may be able to beat your most severe of Sunday Night Blues symptoms, wanting to eat your weight equivalent in cookies and indulge into yet another “Friends” marathon, that tightening in your chest may be more revealing than you think after all. It may be more than just wanting to live in your PJ’s forever more and instead a serious indication that it’s time for a move…A career move that is!
There’s nothing exciting about nearing a heart attack as you get ready to start the week, or hug your car door as you mentally motivate yourself not to drive back out of the parking lot. And when it starts happening more often than you crave coffee, you may want to take another look at what’s really happening in your career!
A career’s not supposed to be painfully endured with potential rewards of chocolate-covered madeleines and extra shoe-shopping trips. If you’re going to spend upwards of eight hours in a cubicle/office/mini “work kingdom”, you’ve gotta make it work! Which also means not just pocketing a paycheck at the end of the week, but also finding fulfillment, joy and an outlet to display your incredible talents and unique insight!
So if you’re thinking about upping your consumption caffeine to make it through the day, or treating yourself to yet one more Pinkberry escapade to drown your work sorrows into strawberry frozen yogurt, look for these four tell-tale signs that it’s time to make a career move:
Your Motivation Is As Low As Your Candy Supply
If you’ve been getting to work later and later, while being in no rush to complete any task, your motivation may be hitting an all-times low. And it’s not just because the kids are going back to school, or your overbearing in-laws are in town. You’re just constantly waking up with zero energy, and you’ve given up on coming up with any new ideas to improve your job. The occasional surge of energy you may muster goes straight to filling out your PTO (Paid Time Off) sheet.
Focusing Has Become Mission Impossible
Have you been complaining about how the clock seems to take a break when you’re at work? If you’re constantly checking the time, and praying for 5pm to come faster, you’re probably no longer stimulated at work. Whether it’s because your tasks have become repetitive and predictable, or because your manager isn’t challenging you enough, you’re just not able to focus and produce high-quality work.
You Suffer From Severe Career Envy
Are you feeling the green-eyed monster pinch every time a friend or colleague gets a promotion, or gets offered a new opportunity? Are you envious of the great careers you see in the media, or even just around you? It may be time to ask yourself why. It may just be that you’re more than ready for a career upgrade yourself. When you’re doing work that satisfies and fulfills you, you have more confidence to celebrate others. If competition and jealousy start overtaking your professional and personal life though, you may need a change.
You’re Just Not Yourself Anymore
If you haven’t been feeling yourself lately, it may have something to do with your career. Are you exhausted at the end of the day? Are you more irritable and snapping at everyone? Are you not excited to share details about your day? If you can’t seem to see the positive side of your career and life, and are instead complaining about management all the time, you may need a serious career move.
If you’re feeling any of these symptoms, it may be time to stop and smell the flowers memo! Don’t let yourself slide down this dangerous path, only to wake up ten or fifteen years later at the same job with the same constant “career blues”.
PS: Want to read more about making a career move and recharging your career? Join our “Recharge Your Career” challenge this month!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
