We often face pressure throughout our lives to choose a career and stick with it for financial stability, but this often comes at the cost of stagnation and a lack of fulfillment. This is particularly common when someone is working in an industry that they’re not passionate about. So, to prevent this from happening to you, here are 17 red flags that you’re in the wrong career.
Dreading Monday Mornings
Let’s be real–nobody particularly enjoys waking up at 6 am on Monday morning, but if doing so literally fills you with a sense of dread, you clearly don’t want to face another day at work. That torturous sense of unhappiness isn’t normal; as Psychology Today points out, it’s a sign that your career isn’t aligned with your true interests, so consider making some changes.
Work Feels Meaningless
If your work tasks feel repetitive, uninspiring, and devoid of purpose, it’s a strong indicator that your job isn’t giving you what you need. Not every career can be exciting, but it should at least provide some level of fulfillment. So, if your daily grind feels like it lacks meaning, it might be time to reassess your career.
Constant Exhaustion
Most people will feel drained after a long day at work, but if exhaustion becomes your constant companion, it’s worth examining. Persistent fatigue often indicates that your work is taking more from you than it’s giving back, draining your energy and leaving little room for joy outside the office. Ultimately, this will only ever lead to burn out, so it’s a problem that seriously needs to be addressed.
Lack of Skill Growth
People often forget that growth is essential in any career, and this means that if you find yourself stuck doing the same tasks without any opportunities to develop new skills, it could be a red flag. A career should challenge you to learn and evolve, and many people decide to switch careers if they do not have this growth, so it might be worth considering doing the same yourself.
Feeling Unvalued
It’s an unfortunate reality of the working landscape that a lot of bosses leave us feeling underappreciated at work, which can sap our motivation and diminish our enthusiasm. However, you should remember that this isn’t how things should be. If your contributions go unnoticed or you’re constantly overlooked for promotions, speak to your boss, and if they’re unwilling to change, it might be time to hand in your notice.
Daydreaming About Other Careers
If you find yourself spending more time fantasizing about other jobs than focusing on your current one, something’s not right. It’s natural to wonder about other opportunities occasionally, but if daydreams are a regular escape, it suggests that you’re not fully engaged with or satisfied with your current career. Consider taking some time to reassess your passions, and remember–it’s never too late to switch careers.
Frequent Complaints About Work
A lot of people struggle to leave their work at the office, with their conversations with friends and family constantly revolving around work frustrations. This isn’t how life should be–in fact, it’s a sign that something is seriously wrong. Constantly venting about your job indicates deep-seated dissatisfaction that shouldn’t be ignored.
Feeling Disconnected from Colleagues
A sense of isolation at work can be troubling, especially if you struggle to connect with your colleagues or feel like an outsider in your workplace. It signals that the company culture or the nature of the job isn’t a good fit for you, which has created a sense of disconnection that will undeniably lead to greater unhappiness over time.
Envying Others’ Jobs
Similar to daydreaming, if you find yourself constantly envying the jobs of friends, family, or even strangers who seem to enjoy their work more than you do, you’re clearly in the wrong career. Envy might indicate that you’re not getting what you need from your current career, and instead of taking steps to achieve this, you’re becoming bitter in the face of other people’s job satisfaction.
Reluctance to Discuss Work
When you avoid talking about your job because it makes you uncomfortable or embarrassed, it’s a strong indication that you’re not in the right career. Work is a significant part of life, and being reluctant to share anything about it can mean that deep down, you know something isn’t right.
Lack of Motivation
It’s all too common for people to struggle to find the motivation to complete their day-to-day work tasks, even the ones that once excited them. Unfortunately, this suggests that their job no longer resonates with them, with this drop in enthusiasm being a clear signal that their current career path is no longer fulfilling their needs or interests.
Feeling Trapped
Nobody should be feeling a sense of being stuck in their job with no way out because, at the end of the day, we all have free will. So, if you feel like you’re in a dead-end job with no opportunities for advancement or change, don’t just tolerate it–start exploring other options.
Constant Stress and Anxiety
It’s unavoidable that your job will come with some element of stress, but constant anxiety about work isn’t normal at all. It can be detrimental to both your mental and physical health, so if the thought of going to work fills you with dread or anxiety on a regular basis, it’s a strong indicator that your current career may be harming you more than helping.
Lack of Work-Life Balance
In recent years, the working world has made great progress in understanding that if your job constantly infringes on your personal time, something needs to change. It’s just not healthy, as it leaves very little room for relaxation or hobbies. Ultimately, a healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term happiness, so you should never forget that.
No Sense of Accomplishment
If you notice that you’re completing tasks at work without feeling any sense of achievement, this is a textbook sign that your work isn’t fulfilling to you. A job should give you a sense of pride and accomplishment, even in small ways, and if that’s missing, it may be a sign that your career is not aligned with your true talents or interests.
Physical Symptoms of Stress
Perhaps the biggest red flag that screams “You need a career change” is if you experience headaches, insomnia, or other stress-related physical symptoms due to your job. Sure, every job has its stresses, but when it manifests physically, that’s too much stress. Your body often knows when something isn’t right before your mind does, so listen to it and consider finding a less taxing career for yourself.