Job Stress: 20 Signs Your Job Doesn't Satisfy Your Soul
Over the last two weeks I have talked with probably five different people who have told me that they are pretty much over their current jobs and want to move on.
I personally believe job stress is way up. Why? I chalk it up to overworked employees in understaffed offices, with frustrating office cultures. People are tired, commutes are horrendous and a rebounding economy has people thinking about new job options.
Here are some of the signs that your job stress might be peaking and your current work situation just doesn't satisfy your soul or engage your spirit anymore. These are in no particular order to make sure you read them all.
You have a hard time getting out of bed to go to work most days.
Two hours into your workday, you are asking yourself: "Why am I here?"
You would rather socialize at work than do assignments.
You spend WAY too much time at work internet surfing for one thing or another.
You have nothing positive to share with your networking contacts.
You dread meetings.
You feel you are not in a learning environment.
You can't remember your last meaningful assignment. Or, you remember it and it was too long ago.
Your creativity at work is almost non-existent.
You acknowledge the gaps between your personal values and those of your employer and those gaps that you used to overlook are now bothering you.
You feel you are not listened to or acknowledged at work.
Your work stress is spilling over into the rest of your life.
You don't remember what used to inspire you about work.
You are not inspired to do your best work.
You are tempted to rant about your employer on social media.
You're starting to scope out job boards and uploading resumes.
You've lost sight about how this job feeds your career passion.
Your relationship with your manager is damaged beyond repair and the trust is gone.
Your energy is drained at the end of the day.
You are starting to "act-out" at work - late, absent, spending time away from your desk etc.
If too many of these apply to you, then maybe it's time to re-engage and put the focus back on your longer term career goals. One of the quickest ways to start feeling purposeful again is to take these 3 steps.
Make a list. What are the 3 top things you need in your job be more engaged at work?
Honestly evaluate if those things can be accomplished where you are. Different department? Different boss? New projects? Don't be seduced by the "grass is always greener" concept.
Pull out your career journal and start setting goals to prepare yourself for your next opportunity. It could be within the same organization or it could be in a new place.
Re-frame your perspective about your current job. Discover the true purpose for why you are in this job at this time. Could it be, it serves a purpose as the catapult that will take you to the next level? When you get really overwhelmed by on the job stress it can be hard to see the benefits of where you are. Taking the time to respond to the three questions here, will help you know if the relationship between you and this company can be saved.