So, you’ve arrived at another Sunday evening. Even though you’ve had a lovely weekend, you can’t help but feel those feelings of dread creeping in.
You find that you’re filled with a sense of nerves about Monday morning. The mere thought of returning to your job just, well, doesn’t sit right.
If this scenario feels all too familiar, you might just be ready for a major career shift.
But don’t be frightened, because guess what? You’re destined for bigger and better things — I promise!
In this article, we’re going to explore the signs that indicate it’s time to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new.
So, let’s dive in and find out how you know it’s time to shift gears in your career.
1) You’re filled with dread about Monday morning
Waking up on Monday morning can be akin to facing a looming dragon.
If the thought of returning to work fills you with this unpleasant feeling, it might be time for change.
Consider the case of a friend of mine. She was a graphic designer who used to love her job.
But over time, the once exciting creative challenges turned into mundane and frankly, boring, tasks. Her skills were being totally wasted!
So she found herself looking for a different path. To do this, she got her plans in order and quit: she went on to explore exciting new career possibilities outside of her typical field.
2) Work has started to impact your health
Your health should be a priority, and when your job starts to impact it negatively, it’s a clear signal that you need to shake things up.
In my early years, I used to spend hours working at my desk. And I mean hours.
I eventually noticed my stress levels skyrocketing, my sleep patterns disrupted, and even my diet had gone haywire.
These signs of physical and mental distress made me realize that his job really wasn’t worth my wellbeing taking a hit.
It was time to reprioritize, shift gears, and put my health front and center. I never regretted it.
3) There are few opportunities for growth in your current role
Imagine being stuck in a never-ending loop, where your job offers no room for growth or advancement.
If your current role doesn’t offer opportunities to learn, grow, or take on new challenges, it’s a heavy indicator that a career shift is coming up next.
Take my aunty, for instance. She worked in a call center for many years.
Despite her dedication, the job had no prospects for advancement, and she found herself feeling stagnant in the role.
It was high time for her to explore other avenues that allowed her to spread her wings, so she went on to start her own business.
4) You don’t have work-life balance anymore
When your work starts to encroach on your personal life, breaking down the boundaries that keep you happy and healthy, it’s time to reevaluate.
Perhaps you’re in a corporate job that has you working late into the night, missing family events, and forgetting about your mental and physical well-being.
Maybe your friends have mentioned that they feel you’re neglecting them because of your work. If so, take it as a wake-up call.
Explore your options and try to carve out a new career journey where balance can be restored.
5) Your personal values have changed significantly
As time passes, we evolve, and so do our values and goals.
When your current job no longer aligns with your personal values, it can create a significant sense of discomfort.
My brother used to work in a corporate job that prioritized profit over social responsibility, whereas his values centered around environmental sustainability and community involvement.
The disconnect between his job and his values became increasingly apparent, signaling the need for a career shift to better align his work with his core beliefs.
6) One of your side hustles has taken off
Sometimes, the universe sends you a sign. And sometimes, that sign is a side hustle.
Whether it’s dropshipping, creating nail art, or making pottery, if one of your side ventures starts to gain traction and fills you with a sense of fulfillment, it could be a sign that you’re ready to move your career in that direction.
If you’re not here yet, but you’re curious about it, you can always start small, using platforms like Etsy or eBay to sell your wares.
Then to your surprise, what might start off as a side project could blossom into a thriving enterprise, which overshadows your regular nine-to-five.
So, recognize these opportunities where you can find them, and take that leap of faith. Remember, you always have more talents than you think.
7) Your industry is in turmoil or in decline
Industries can sometimes head into turbulent waters. At times, that’s just the way of the world.
If your industry is facing challenges like layoffs, declining job prospects, or technological disruption, it may be time to find shelter elsewhere.
I’ve definitely experienced this in my own life. Like many other writers, I used to work in print journalism.
In a few short years, I witnessed firsthand the decline of the industry as digital media took over.
Realizing the shrinking opportunities, I decided to find work in other fields like copywriting, digital marketing, and SEO, where my skills could shine and I’d get to continue writing.
To sum things up, the signs showing that you’re ready for a major career shift may appear differently for each person, but they all point to the same destination: change.
Whether it’s the dread of Monday mornings, the toll on your health, the lack of opportunities, changing personal values, or a lack of work-life balance, these signals can guide you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
When you recognize these signs, don’t be afraid to take those next steps and embrace change as a friend, rather than a foe.
Your career shift could lead you to new horizons, fulfilling your aspirations and aligning your life with your core values.
