Life
7 Signs You're Outgrowing Your Job
As a young professional, people are constantly telling you how lucky you are to have a job, if you have one. It's hard out there for the unemployed — we Millennials are not having an easy time finding work that can pay the bills, let alone hold our interest or honor our educations. There's a subtle mentality that people who have jobs should just be happy to have them and never indulge in complaining. But I'm under the mentality that if your job is not right for you, it's right for someone else. So why hold onto a job that's not serving you when it might bring greater fortune to someone else? Life is too short to spend any of it feeling stifled or unfulfilled or trapped.
Though on paper your job might seem right for you, maybe it correlates to your college degree, maybe it's what you dreamed about as a kid, maybe it makes your parents proud or bank account full — that doesn't necessarily mean that the job is still a good fit for you. What might have been great a year or two ago might be completely stagnating now. You should never feel shameful or embarrassed to admit that you've grown out of your position. It's a good thing to outgrow a job — that means you're growing.
Here are a few signs that you might recognize if you've been wondering lately if you've outgrown your job:
Is There A Senior Position You Find Desirable?
Take a look around your office, does anyone have a position that looks good to you? Sometimes it can feel like you'll always be in an entry position and unable to convince yourself that you're making a difference. But if what your superiors are doing looks good to you, hang in there. With the right attitude, you'll move up faster.
Are You The Strongest One On Your Team?
Does it feel like you spend more time teaching people how to do things than you do actually doing things yourself? Do people come to you for advice all the time? If you're the top dog and not reaping the benefits, it might be time to look elsewhere.
The Challenges Aren't Challenging Anymore
On a daily basis, do you feel challenged? Are you learning and improving? If you feel like you've learned all there is to learn and your mind isn't expanding, it might be time to look for something more stimulating and progressive.
Time Is Slow
Are you watching the clock all damn day? Does time feel like it's going in reverse or slow motion? Can 6 p.m. never come soon enough? If the answer is yes, you're not in the zone and you've already checked out.
Are You On Your Company's Team?
When you talk to your friends about your job in private, are you spending most of your time complaining and dishing about the company's failures? If you're not on your company's team, you don't have its best interest in mind. You should find a job that you believe in, even when your boss isn't around.
Do You Dream About Other Passions?
Do you spend a significant amount of time dreaming about running away or doing something completely different? A little bit of day dreaming is healthy and normal, but if you're losing sleep over your extracurricular passions, it might be time to find a job that doesn't exclude them.
This Is You, Every Morning
If you dread going to work everyday, that's not good. There are plenty of people who have jobs that make them jump out of bed bright eyed and bushy tailed. Fulfilling work is out there. Don't get used to misery — move on!
Of course, before you throw up the deuces and pack your desk up in a box, have a talk with your boss. Make sure that there isn't more room for you in another capacity. Who knows, maybe your boss has an external connection that's great for you. Talk it through, take it slow, and peace out if you're done. There's a whole world out there, go get it!
