Your organization is changing and not just standard every day changes but big changes from the top down that impact every department and individual in the organization. Everyone’s scrambling and wondering what they should do. It’s just not the same as it used to be and while you’ve been positive about the changes in front of your boss, direct reports, and peers, you’re just not sure if there’s a place for you in this new culture. Here are a few signs that it’s time to get serious about a change.
The Passion is Gone. If you work used to be something that excited you and made you want to go to work even on your day off but now you find yourself dreading anything that has to do with your industry than you might have lost passion. Ask yourself what caused the change and if the change is beyond your control. You might be able to get passion back by focusing on the parts of your job you love the most or learning a new skill that will ignite the fire again. Perhaps it’s not the work but a problem with a coworker that’s draining the passion from what you do. Look for ways to limit exposure to the individual. This might even mean transferring to a different location or department to gain that fresh perspective. Often when our passion for our careers is faltering there are small changes we can make to shine new light on what we love. If making changes within your current job doesn’t help, it might be time to consider a move outside the organization.
The culture has done a 180. When organizations go through large restructurings the culture of the organization changes overnight. New people bring new ideas and new work styles while existing staff are trying to hold on to what is familiar and safe. This can cause tension and stress for all involved. Those who are able to align with the new culture are those who remain open to change and are willing to leave the past behind them. They limit exposure to negative colleagues who consistently complain about the changes while working to befriend new employees. They find out what their new boss wants and work to find a way to deliver. If you’ve sincerely worked to fit in to the new culture and it’s just not working, it might be time to consider a move to another division or even outside of the company.
You’re bored and underutilized. It’s easy to think you should be willing to take it easy at work and collect a paycheck for doing a little bit of nothing each day but most people can’t make that a reality. We want to contribute and we want to use our skills to the best of our abilities. Ask yourself if the skills you offer are still necessary in the organization. If not do you have the ability or the desire to learn the new skills that will be desired. If so, let your supervisor know you’re open to training and begin seeking out opportunities to develop your skills on your own. If there’s no way for you to gain the knowledge you’ll need or you simply don’t want to, it is definitely time for a change.
Once you’ve accepted that it’s time for a change remember that change starts with you. Consider updating your resume, contacting trusted colleagues in your network and take stock of what you’re great at. The process can take time but being prepared is the key to reducing the stress of change.
