by Bridget Webber

Created on: June 21, 2009   Last Updated: March 28, 2011

If you are thinking of leaving your job you have probably already noticed a sign or two that show you everything isn't as you would like it to be in your professional life. However, in turbulent times when jobs are hard to come by, it isn't always wise to act impulsively. Analyzing your work-life and aspirations in more detail can help you decide whether it's sensible to stay put, or to find a new job.

Stress

While some people thrive on stress by increasing performance, others can find pressure from work is detrimental to their health, and interferes with home life. When this happens it's a good idea to ascertain whether your job is worth you living in such emotional degradation or not.

A certain amount of stress is healthy. It can serve to keep you on your toes and help you feel alert and alive. There is a limit to the amount of stress a job should provide though. Once work becomes an ongoing nightmare, there may be little point in putting yourself through the mill, day in and day out.

Signs that you are under too much stress range from constant, niggling illnesses to panic attacks or palpitations. If you are stressed you may find you are moody and irritable much of the time. You may also suffer from insomnia, and dread going into work each day, knowing that you are running on empty.

Poor Environment

Your work environment is very important as you spend a great deal of time in it. Both the atmosphere and physical conditions you work in combine to make your working environment pleasant, or unsatisfactory. Not many working environments are perfect, however you shouldn't have to put up with a freezing cold office, constant bickering from other staff members, or a tyrannical boss who leads you to despair.

If you find you worry about the conditions you work in often, this is a sign all is not well. It could be time to talk to whoever is above you at work, either your manager or employer, or it may be that your job just isn't worth the problems it creates for you.

Job Satisfaction

Sometimes problems at work are not entirely obvious because they become acceptable. The drudgery of toiling without satisfaction can be a problem you have come to see as being normal. A lack of enjoyment in your job will leave you listless, lackadaisical and lacking in vitality and mental stimulation.

It may be that you can move up in your career and assume a higher position you find more challenging. Or, it could be that your job is at a dead end.

Signs that this is a problem for you will be a lack of enthusiasm, coupled by boredom at work. Now and then we probably all have to take mind numbing work in order to pay bills. If you are lucky enough to be in the position to take a more stimulating job though, you will discover your life improves because you are engaging your brain more often.

Pay

If you are earning little money for your effort, yet dream of retiring someday with a beautiful house and enough money to go on regular holidays it may be that you need to rethink your career strategy. Leaving one job which pays badly for no job however, is a bad move. Looking for a new job which will give you a better wage can be a good plan.

If you can't find a better paid job you may find that retraining, or adding to your credentials by making your professional status higher can move you in the right direction.

There are many reasons why you may need to change your job, and even more signs to alert you to this fact. The signs that you encounter are an indication that you need to alter your situation, whether it be finding a new job or instigating changes where you already work.

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