7 Signs it's Time for a Career Change

A few of us out there knew exactly what we wanted to do for a living since we were young adults. We set our sights on the goal and made it happen. But for the majority of us, this wasn’t the case. It’s more about trial and error and discovery over time. Many of us will have more than one career over our lifetime – and some of those we will enjoy more than others.
If your job is not bringing the fulfillment you crave, then it might be time for a career reboot. Consider these 7 signs it’s time for a career change and see if they sound familiar. If so, then focus your efforts on finding what makes you tick –  and start steering in the direction of a new career.

You dread waking up in the morning

When you hate your job, there’s nothing worse than the sound of the alarm going off. All you want to do is hit the snooze button – indefinitely. Not everyone jumps out of bed with excitement every day and even those who genuinely like their job have their moments. But you shouldn’t feel a consistent sense of dread come morning. This is a clear sign you aren’t doing what you’re meant to do and it’s time to do something different.

Your only reason for showing up is for the paycheck

What if someone were to ask you, “If money wasn’t an issue, would you still work at your job?” If your answer would be a resounding “No”, then it’s time for a career change. Money is one factor of the job – but it shouldn’t be the only factor that’s keeping you there. Sacrificing happiness for a paycheck is not a good trade-off in the long run. You may be able to afford nice things, but having a career that gives you fulfillment and satisfaction is worth way more than material possessions.

You daydream of a different career

Many of us are curious about what it would be like to do something else for a living. But if you’re actively imagining yourself in a different career, then maybe you should seriously consider it. Look into the job you’re dreaming of and find out what it would take to do that job. Some careers are much harder to gain entry into than others, but when there’s a will there’s a way. Don’t let difficulty or your age deter you from doing something that will make you happy.

You’re apathetic towards the things you normally love to do

This is a telltale sign that your job is sucking up your joy for life and your work/life balance is off-kilter. Life isn’t just about your job and you should still have enough energy after work to do the other things that make you happy – such as hiking, going to dinner with friends, or any other hobbies you love. A feeling of satisfaction in your career leads to a sense of happiness and contentment that transfers over to the other parts of your life.

When you’re away from work, all you can think about is work

Your job has become all-consuming in a negative way – you just can’t leave work at work. Ruminating over issues on the job during your weekends off, or complaining about your boss and co-workers on a regular basis, is a signal that you need to find another place of employment. Sometimes switching to another company will do the trick – or you may need to make the leap to an entirely different career.

Your physical health is deteriorating

Work can be exhausting at times – that’s why it’s called work. But it shouldn’t make you feel ill. If you’re experiencing chronic fatigue, headaches, body aches, or a general feeling of malaise – don’t ignore it. It could be caused by stress related to working at a job you hate. The best way to remedy this is to get out of what you’re doing and into a new career that inspires you and gives you purpose.

You’re eternally bored 

No matter what the job, it’s not going to be full of excitement all day everyday. But if you’re in the right career, then you’ll find most of your work interesting and will care about your performance. Lacking any enthusiasm and motivation in your tasks, feeling that your mind is always somewhere else, and watching the clock for quitting time should tell you that it’s time for a change.