There are many ways to tell that your current job may not be the right fit for you, and that it’s time for a change.

1. "I am bored or too comfortable"

If you feel either of these things, essentially you’re not being challenged enough by your work. Whether that means your work isn’t challenging enough or you’re not challenging yourself, the result is the same: a gap has developed between what you are doing and what you can do. It’s time to either take on more work, or find something completely different so you can be reinvigorated and inspired.

2. "My job is too hard"

While work should be challenging, by doing your best you should be able to accomplish each of the challenges you are given. If your work is so demanding that your best is just not enough, it may be time to look elsewhere.

3. "I’m afraid of being at work"

Being challenged is one thing. Being afraid of your boss and co-workers is something else entirely. You should never be in a work environment where you’re being bullied, are the victim of passive aggressiveness, or being berated for your work. Whatever is making you feel frightened, you deserve better. Leave – sooner rather than later.

4. "I don’t have enough direction"

When you’re given work to do, you’re usually given the context in which your part plays in the larger scheme of things. This helps you understand why you’re doing the work you are. Without adequate direction though, you may end up making incorrect, uninformed decisions that have negative impacts on the company – and no one needs to work under that sort of pressure.

5. "I don’t have enough skills"

Chances are you landed your job because you possess the required skills to perform your daily duties. And while some of us find ourselves undertaking tasks that fall outside of our job description, you shouldn’t be expected to excel at activities for which you’re not trained. If you’re consistently expected to perform beyond your purview without being taught the required skills, you may want to consider a change.

6. "I have no personal investment"

No one is suggesting that work needs to be the centre of your universe, but personally, you should want to perform at your best, and be proud of the work you do. If you couldn’t care less about your employer, you should consider finding one you do want to give your all for.

7. "I don’t have any support"

Your boss and co-workers may not necessarily be there for you if you break up with your partner, but they should be willing to pitch in when your workload gets too large. Additionally, management should acknowledge your good work, as well as help you avoid (or learn from) any mistakes.

Sound like you?

If you're enthusiastically nodding your head in agreement to any of these points, then you've made the first step to a mental career change.

Now is the time to practice mindfulness. Take note of the hobbies you enjoy, the skills you’ve already got that excite you, and then start narrowing down your interest areas into potential career buckets.

If the thought of starting a 12+ month course is frightening you, then ease into it with a Short Course to make sure you’re on the right path before you commit.

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