For 40 hours a week, 160 hours a month and 1920 hours a year, most people are at work. When you think about it like that, it is crazy to fathom staying in the wrong job. Some people are lucky enough to love the job they do and those 40 hours seem like nothing at all, whereas other people are so unhappy in their work that those 40 hours drag on for longer. So how do you know if you’re in the right job?
You wake up easily
For most of us, getting up in the morning is difficult, especially when it’s cold outside and warm in your bed. However, if the thought of going to work fills you with such dread you feel as though you can’t get out of bed, it’s a sign that your job isn’t right for you. If you love your job, you will likely leap out of bed with a smile on your face, ready for the day ahead.
You’re not watching the clock
Sure, some days will feel as though they are dragging, but if you spend every day obsessively watching the clock, counting down the hours until you can go home, this might not be the job for you. If the day whizzes by because you’re enjoying yourself, then that’s a good sign, although if it has sped past and you feel like you’ve achieved nothing, then you could also potentially be in the wrong job.
You feel respected
When you work hard, you should feel appreciated and respected for what you have done. If you feel as though there is no point in trying to work hard, because it is never noticed or acknowledged, you won’t be doing your best or challenging yourself. Furthermore, this is a strong sign that maybe it’s time to look for a new job.
You are willing to take risks
If you are happy and in the right job, that doesn’t mean that you will want to stay in the exact same position. The right job should give you a desire to take risks and challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Your boss or manager should act as a mentor, encouraging you to better yourself in order to work towards a promotion.
You love the stress
If you are never stressed at work, you are probably not working hard enough. However, if you find yourself stressed more often than not, or the level of stress is making you unhappy, it might be time to reconsider. If, however, the stress pushes you to do your best work and you thrive off the adrenaline, then you are in the right job!
If you are in the wrong job, don’t panic. Use this knowledge to power you forward to find the right job for you. This might be a step-down, a side step to another company or a step in a completely different direction. Let this be a wake-up call that it’s time to consider what is the right job for you – you can do it!
