….your instincts are telling you, “It’s time to go.”  Often times, we receive signals that we ignore, but if you’re starting to feel like things aren’t going well at work, you’re probably right.  Some signals come across loud and clear in our decision making process, while others can be more subtle.  If you’re wondering, “Should I stay or should I go?”, here are few things that could be indicators of the latter:

• Do you want to be promoted, but others are moving ahead of you?  Many people believe if they just keep their head down, work hard, and get the job done that a promotion for them is eminent.  Unfortunately, this is usually not how it works.  It takes a lot more than just getting the work done to be seriously considered for a promotion.  Are you able to lead people (better said, are others willing to follow you?)?  Do you communicate effectively (clear, concise, intelligently, and with confidence)?  Are you liked and respected for your work and for who you are?  Are you trusted to get the job done on time, under budget and with high quality results? Are you regarded as a “go-to” person?  If the leadership in your organization isn’t answering “yes” to these questions, this could explain why you aren’t moving ahead, and why you may never move ahead there.  You must decide if the effort to change opinions about you and your work are worth the effort, or is it time to pack your bags and move on.
•  Are you not learning and growing in the ways and areas you desire?  Whether you want to be promoted or not, it’s important for every employee to continue to learn and grow.  Our world and its demands are constantly changing; if you aren’t constantly changing with it, you can find yourself left behind.  If you are seeking learning and growing opportunities with your current employer, but nothing is happening (or will happen), it might be time for a change.
•  The company’s financial outlook isn’t very bright or major changes are occurring.  Unfortunately, many companies today are very short-term in their thinking.  If they have 1-2 quarters of lower sales or profits, they start making plans to reorganize and downsize their staff.  Leaving may not be the best immediate response, but you should keep your eyes and ears open….and pack one bag….just in case!
•  You are miserable with no other internal options.  This is probably the most compelling reason to leave.  Please note I didn’t say you don’t like working there – I said you are miserable!  No matter where you work, you will always encounter times/assignments/people you don’t like.  However, if you find going to work is making you physically or emotionally ill, or if the miserable sense that’s overtaken you won’t leave over a prolonged period of time, you should seriously consider working elsewhere.  Life is far too short and precious to allow it to attack your health and/or peace of mind.

Leaving a job can be scary, especially if you’ve worked there for a long time, but it’s important that you are clear on what you want out of the experience.  If you’re finding that you can no longer get it with that employer, it’s probably time to start looking somewhere else.

Until next time….