How to Tell that You are In A Career Coma?

You can have security and stability with a job. You can earn an income, provide support for your family and maintain a certain lifestyle. While this is great, it should not be the only thing in your life. Always look for something better.

One day you will find the job that brings you joy and challenges you. It will also allow you to build perfect relationship with your boss, coworkers, and colleagues. Your passion and creativity will be ignited, even during the most difficult times, and you’ll know you are in the right place.

It’s not uncommon for people to choose the wrong profession, job or industry. While some may not know it, many can feel it deep down. However, people often suppress it. You might find yourself in a career coma if you feel disgruntled or trapped in your job or industry.

A career coma refers to someone who feels almost unmotivated as they go through their day, feeling like they are not moving forward. Although it sounds very dull, it is not unusual. According to a Survey Sampling International survey, more than half Australians are unhappy at work. Alarmingly, only a small portion of those surveyed are actively seeking to improve their miserable situation.

Finding a job can be difficult for some people, but it is possible to recognize when you aren’t in the right position and make changes so that you can become more passionate about your work. Here are some signs that you can recognize if your career is in decline.

You are in a dead-end position

You are likely in a dead-end job if you don’t see any progress in your job. Feeling ignored, undervalued, not getting promoted, being given tasks that aren’t relevant to your job, and feeling dismotivated all point to the same truth.

This is how it should be viewed. If you could imagine yourself five years from now, would you be still in the same job and receiving the same tasks but feeling undervalued? Consider the effect staying in your current job would have on your mental health. Compare that to a job that challenged you and valued you.

Burning out at a job that isn’t fulfilling your needs today or next year is inevitable. As in school, students can’t expect to be challenged year after year. You shouldn’t be forced to do that in your job.

You are aware that you must leave

You can be open about the fact that your job is overrated or you may choose to keep it a secret you don’t want anyone to know. Whatever your feelings, your gut instincts tell you it’s time for you to quit.

Perhaps you are looking for a challenge, don’t feel valued, don’t like what you’re doing or have values that clash with your employer’s. No matter the reason, staying put in a job you don’t want will prolong your career and have a negative impact on your mental health.

It can be difficult to leave your job or industry. Once you have made the decision to change, you need to consider what you will need to do to advance in your career. You might need to continue your education or move up the ladder in another industry.

Your age is an excuse

Many successful people discovered their true calling in their twenties. Your peak is not until the middle of your career. JK Rowling is a well-known author who did not reach her peak until her 30s when Harry Potter was published.

These days there are many demands on workers, especially those in their 20s or 30s, as companies are always in high demand for young, new talent. They believe that to be their best, they must have the most experience. You will not reach your true peak in your career until you are older.

Although it may seem unnerving to young people, consider it liberating. This gives you more freedom to do what you love, and if it’s something you’ve done before you can only get better. Your younger years can be viewed as an opportunity to explore new career options that interest you. You’re never too old for change!

It feels like everything you do is irrelevant

Do you find everyday tasks so boring that it doesn’t matter if you complete them? Perhaps you don’t even care about what the outcome of your work is.

Although we all have to do boring work at times, it shouldn’t define how you feel about your work. Your work should give you satisfaction. Your boss and colleagues should be supportive and offer feedback when needed.

You shouldn’t feel that your work is irrelevant if you don’t value it. You should never feel like this if you are passionate about what you do or work in a place that values you.

You are bored and dissatisfied

According to Korn Ferry’s global organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry, most professionals don’t like their “passionless jobs” and almost 35% of respondents said they were looking for a job because they are bored or yearning for challenges.

You may feel bored or unhappy at work. Here’s a quote from Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder: “Your work will fill a large portion of your life. The only way to truly be satisfied is to do great work. The only way to be great at what you do is to love it. Keep looking if you don’t find it. Do not settle. You’ll find it, just like in all matters of the heart.”

Boredom is not something you love. Don’t settle for what you know and do not continue to go through the motions. Instead, find what you love. There is no one-size fits all approach to getting out of a career slump. However, finding what sparks your passions and interests can take a lot of work, but the rewards will be well worth it. You will see a complete change in your life.