Tell me if this sounds familiar. It's 7 p.m. on a Sunday night. You just finished dinner and are starting to settle down for the evening. Normally, this would be a relaxing time. Maybe you take the time to reflect on the past week, or perhaps plan your ambitious goals for the coming days.
But this night is somehow different. You suddenly become filled with a certain something. It's a malaise that doesn't let you do much more than click the remote control. You can't exactly put your finger on what it is. Let's call it the Sunday Night Blues.
Rather than relax, you actually begin to get worked up, even annoyed. It comes in waves. Then you realize you are grinding your teeth, dreading the predictability of tomorrow's work day. It might be time to look for a new job.
[See 10 Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search.]
At some point, all of us will reach this crossroads. Maybe you're there now. If you check off more than three items from the list below, it's likely time to start actively looking for a better work arrangement.
Nightmares about work. There's nothing worse than dreaming about work. It's like spending hours at the office--without getting paid. The worst part is that employment nightmares can throw off your work-life balance, making you feel as if you have not had a healthy amount of time away from the office. Sometimes the dreams are so realistic, you wake up feeling like you've worked a 24-hour shift. These reflections of your subconscious might be sending you a message: Find a new job!
Boredom/predictability. When the minutes feel like hours, it's time to move on. Boredom is a "gateway problem" to a host of ugly things. While the feeling might appear harmless, sustained periods of boredom can lead to a plethora of psychological and physical issues, including anxiety and depression. If you know everything your coworkers will do--before they do it--it's time to go. Ennui is more than a mild irritant, it might be a telltale sign that a new job is needed.
16 Signs It's Time to Quit Your Job
