Today is International Quit Your Crappy Job Day.

Is it time to quit your job?

Created by the people who run the International Conference on Happiness at Work, it’s a day to at least think about making a change and quitting your job.  Should you be thinking about a career change? When should you move on? Is it time to quit your crappy job? Have you had enough?

An estimated 20-25% of the working population hate their jobs and wish they could quit tomorrow. Being unhappy at work can have long lasting consequences for your health, your family and even your actual career.  Sometimes quitting is the best option. 

So how do you know when it’s time to quit your job? 

Here are 8 Warning Signs that it’s time to for a job change.

1. You dread Monday morning. I mean, really dread it. Everyone has the Monday morning blues sometimes. It’s normal and natural to dread getting back into work mode after a lovely, relaxation filled weekend. But if your dread of Monday morning becomes unmanageable - especially if it morphs into depression and anxiety or panic attacks - it may be time to start thinking about a change.

2. You’re unhappy most of the day at work. You manage to get yourself there on Monday morning - but you spend each workday in a state of utter misery. Are you feeling depressed, bored, anxious, not appreciated, or even mistreated? Do you wonder how you ended up here? Do you have to force a smile or “fake it” to make it through the day?

3. You find you aren’t using your best skills - those things you do well and enjoy doing. Instead, you’re stuck creating spreadsheets or updating files. For one week, record your work tasks and how much time you spend on them. At the end of the week, make notes about how much you enjoyed each task. This can give you a good picture of how much you are really “enjoying” your job. 

4. You see no future with your current company. Are there opportunities for advancement both in the scope of job responsibilities and in salary? Does your company promote from within - or are the plum positions given to new hires? 

5. Your workplace is toxic. Your work environment can be toxic in many ways - a verbally abusive or angry boss, co-workers who don’t do their share and pull their weight, or a corporate culture in which the needs of employees are not taken into consideration. Your workload is overwhelming and unmanageable - often due to downsizing, or the threat of corporate restructuring is always present and palpable. 

6. You can do your job with your eyes closed. If you’re not being challenged to learn new skills and encouraged to take on new responsibilities, you’re likely to end up bored and restless. If you’re starting to feel stagnant, it maybe time for a change. 

7. You’re feeling the cost of the job in your health and well-being. Do you go home each night with a litany of complaints and a negative attitude? Is your body suffering from the level of stress or work overload you’re dealing with each day? Do you find yourself constantly fighting headaches, body pains, or stress related physical symptoms? 

8. Your work feels meaningless. Do you love what you’re working on and feel that it makes a contribution to the world in some way? Or are you just a cog in the corporate wheel chasing profits at the expense of the environment or other human beings?  You can’t find happiness or success in a job if you don’t believe in what your organization is putting out in the world, or how they’re doing it.

If you see these warning signs in your life, it may be time to consider a job change. Change can be scary but it can also be life-giving and filled with new possibilities.

Think about it: What would your life be like if you actually enjoyed your job?

Click here for seven essential steps to take before you begin a job hunt. 

Anita Flowers is a Board Certified career and life coach at Blue Sage Career Strategies. A little different than most life coaches, Anita’s background in clinical psychology and years of experience as a counselor gives her a rich understanding of human development and family dynamics. Her work history includes 13 years working with an international business company and 12 years doing individual and family counseling as well as career counseling. This blend of counseling and business experience gives Anita a unique perspective on the world of work and life. Anita works with people literally all over the world to help them discover a life and career they love.   Contact Anita here to get started on your new career and life!