How To Know It's Time To Quit Your Job

According to a study by Gallup, 71 percent of U.S. workers are uninspired and disengaged at work. The same study also found millennials to be the least engaged generation, while traditionalists are the most engaged; Gallup speculates that traditionalists of retirement age are more likely to be working by choice and for enjoyment.

Regardless of what generation you belong to, take comfort in knowing you’re not the only one who feels restless at their job. If you’re ready to move on, don’t settle for the status quo. Instead, empower yourself to create the kind of life and career you want without comparing yourself to everyone else. But are you really ready to make the jump, or are you just in a career slump and need to see it through? Here are five signs you should quit your job and move on to new opportunities:

You Worry About Money Constantly

It’s entirely possible that you'll want to quit a job once thought of as a total dream. You may find that opportunities to move up are scarce, management isn’t offering to grow your skills and you worry about money constantly. But how long can you really worry about paying your bills for?

Instead, look for opportunities in more lucrative fields that still align with your passions. For example, an aspiring fashion designer stuck in an entry-level position can look into e-commerce retail opportunities and explore how to apply their skills and interests there. Remember, you can still earn a great living in your field without paying your dues in entry-level positions forever.

You Daydream About New Opportunities

Do you find yourself envious of the Uber driver who just dropped you off for a night on the town? Soon you’re daydreaming about being your own boss and entrepreneur. There’s no reason you can’t start growing your own side businesses and revenue streams right now. Start while you’re still working and scale up until you’re ready to make it permanent and quit your day job.

Start by exploring flexible opportunities that fit around your day job schedule, like driving for Uber, doing tasks like assembling IKEA furniture on TaskRabbit or selling home goods from Amway. Airbnb is also perfect for busy professionals who want to earn extra money by renting out a spare room.

Your Company Is Always Restructuring

Are you starting to feel like you walk into a new company every few months? It’s impossible to get engaged and excited about your job when the expectations are constantly evolving and shifting. Talk to your manager about the future of the company and how your role fits into their plan. It’s time to start looking for a new job if they don’t have an answer or bristle and expect you to just roll with the punches.

Look for a company that wants to foster your skills and develop your talent long-term. Ask what types of opportunities are available and the general time frames to move into each position. It’s easier to be engaged when you know what path you’re on and how to shape your own success.

Your Sunday Night Blues Start on Saturday Morning

We’ve all experienced it at some point or another. There’s a sinking feeling on Sunday nights that our weekend went by all too fast and Monday morning is suddenly upon us. When those blues start on Saturday morning, you know you’re in trouble. Soon your work woes are consuming your entire time off and you’ve got nothing left to look forward to.

Take back your free time as you focus on your passions, hobbies and entrepreneurial pursuits. It’s not worth wasting your time fixating on how much you loathe your job. Do something about it. It can take some time to research and execute a plan of action but ask yourself what happens if you don’t start now. You could be in the exact same predicament this time next year, instead of exploring an exciting position that aligns with your interests and goals.

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