There are days when it's hard to get out of bed and drag yourself off to work. It's normal, but nothing a nice holiday can't fix. But what if it's happening for weeks – or months at a time? What if you're feeling like your workstation is filled with quicksand and you're slowly sinking in?
How do you know when it's right to pull the pin? Here are five sure-fire signs that, "it's time to go…"
▪ You get no enjoyment from your responsibilities or tasks. A lack of motivation or inspiration is a telling sign that you are not in the right place. Occasionally feeling tired or 'over it' is to be expected, but feeling flat and uninspired for long periods can lead to performance issues, health issues, and likely both. It's common, after a few years in, to have outgrown a job, and if that's the case, it's time to see what else there is in your organisation, or outside of it.
▪ You have no respect for your manager. Thousands of articles have been written about strong leaders inspiring their people, and for good reason: it's true. While sophisticated corporations measure the team attrition of their people managers to see who is and isn't a leader, many others don't. If you are being disrespected or bullied by your manager, you see them only managing up, they can't mentor you or help you progress professionally, it's time to find a new one.
▪ You are regularly feeling sick, or stressed, or both. Executive stress, which in turn causes mental and physical illnesses, is a sinister and still silent phenomenon affecting our generation. As philosopher Pascal Chabot has said, "Burnout is our civilisation's disease". According to the Mental Health Foundation of Australia, 7 out of 10 Australians believe they are stressed at work, and research by Safe Work Australia shows that mental stress claims are now the most costly form of compensation claim, costing Australian businesses more than $10 billion a year. If you are feeling stressed, fragile, or repeatedly falling ill, it's time to speak to someone. If your job is the cause, it's time to go.
▪ You know that you can't achieve what is expected of you. There will be times in your career when the expectations placed on you to deliver within a certain timeframe/with limited resources/with your skill set seem completely unachievable. But through conversation, lobbying and some internal heavy lifting you are able to get it done. Nowdays we are all asked to do more with less, however when you know from the outset that despite your best efforts the expectations really are insurmountable, and you know that no amount of internal discussion or investment will help, it's time to go. Career success has never come from staying on a sinking ship.
▪ Your family and friends are telling you it's time to go. This is a major sign. It means they are seeing a change in your behaviour or mental state, and it suggests you are talking about being unhappy at work often too. Loved ones are the first to respond and reflect back to you what you are thinking or feeling yourself. If they are offering encouragement and support, it's imperative to stop and listen – they will be there long after you hand back your security pass and laptop.
Claire Linton-Evans is a senior executive and author of the career bible for modern women, Climbing the Ladder in Heels — How to Succeed in the Career Game of Snakes and Ladders. Visit climbingtheladder.com.au.
