When it comes to climbing the success ladder, I’ve worn all the labels. Corporate careerist? Yep. Wantrapreneur? Check. Entrepreneurial small-business owner? Absolutely – in fact, still going strong. So believe me when I say with wholehearted empathy that I’ve walked many-a-mile in your Louboutin shoes.
So let’s get real. During my nine-plus career lives, I’ve seen my share of flashing red lights telling me it was time to leave the latest “dream job” that turned sour. But there were other times when I missed the career forest for the trees entirely, languishing in a no-future position far longer than I want to admit. If only I had learned to recognize these emergency signals, I could have circumvented some of the self-inflicted drama and dove head first into my destined sweet spot years earlier.
Save yourself the heartache and learn from my good (and not-so-good) experience. Here are 12 signs that your job or business isn’t a good fit or you have outgrown your career aspirations. Warning: If you identify with three or more on the checklist, or find yourself virtually high five-ing me and hollering, “Yes, me too!” then take it as a cue to begin creating your exit strategy NOW versus someday.
1| You’ve lost that loving feeling. You can’t seem to muster up the passion or motivation you once had for your job or profession
2| Your self-esteem and confidence are slowly spiraling down. The stress and anxiety are now affecting your physical and mental health and impacting your relationships.
3| Energy Leaks. You’re beginning to lack the internal stamina to keep doing what you’re doing. Instead, your job is one big energy drain.
4| Who am I? You find yourself asking existential questions like why am I here, what’s it all about, what’s wrong with me, why can’t I be happy, what’s my damn purpose?
5| If only… Quitting your job feels like walking the proverbial plank but you can’t seem to muster the courage of Jack Sparrow to jump ship.
6| Misery loves company. You whine and gripe to your loved ones and eventually to anyone who will listen about how much you hate your life (hint...probably because you spend two thirds of it at your job).
7| Truth or Dare. On your drive into work you imagine walking into your boss’ office and throwing down the “I-quit-this-soul-sucking-job” gauntlet.
8| Personal vices. You use distractions (alcohol, food, shopping...pick your poison) and personal sick days to try to recalibrate and come up for air, so you can suck it up and do it again next week.
