3 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Job (Even If You Like It)

Sometimes growth means making changes. Here’s how to know if it’s time to make moves.

I was good at my job.

Taking calls with the same greeting day in and day out. Showing empathy, asking probing questions to get to the root of a customer’s issue and even throwing in a bit of small talk for good measure. The problem was something kept nagging me and keeping up at night. It was a form of restlessness that I couldn’t shake.

Something was missing.

After doing some digging, I came to the realization that I reached a point of career dissatisfaction. I spent over 7 years working in call center customer service. I hadn’t realized that I had gotten complacent. Yet it showed in my paycheck. There was little to no increase in my income.

One of my biggest lessons learned is that job satisfaction and professional growth are not always the same thing. You can be satisfied and stagnant. I don’t want that for you friend.

I want you to take a look at these 3 signs that you’ve outgrown the role you’re in.

1/You’re no longer learning and growing

Another way to put it is you’re stagnate, which means you’ve stopped acquiring new skills, expanding your knowledge, or taking on new challenges. When I reached a place of career stagnation, I struggled with boredom, waning motivation, and a sense of feeling “stuck.” This is dangerous because:

• Your skills becomes obsolete: The workplace is evolving rapidly, and if you’re not keeping up, your skills may become less valuable to employers, which means your earning power decreases.

• You can get left behind: Colleagues who are actively learning and growing will be considered for promotions and exciting projects instead of you.

• It kills your passion: Without growth, your work loses its spark, impacting your performance and overall job satisfaction.

Ask yourself — Have I taken on a new project recently?
Am I learning something new consistently, even if it’s small?

2/Your passion is in projects outside of work

Daydreams aren’t just a distraction, especially if they’re constantly about the possibility of a new career path or side project. Your subconscious could be trying to guide you towards growth. It’s time to explore how you can turn that passion into your main focus.

Here are some suggestions:

• Start with self-reflection: What excites you MOST about your projects? Is it the problem you’re solving, the skills you’re using, the type of people you interact with? The more specific you are, the better you’ll be able to hone in on the core of your passion.

• Identify transferable skills: Your side interests are building valuable skills, even if they don’t seem directly related to your work. Analyze them — are you strong at communication, problem-solving, specialized technical knowledge? Identifying these skills will make your transition more feasible.

• Explore without major disruptions: You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow. Can you volunteer, freelance, job shadow a professional, or take a class related to your passion area? This is a low-risk way to gain experience and insight.

3/You dread work more often than not

To be fair, I know we all have bad days. But pay close attention when you start to have a consistent string of days where there is a downward shift in mood when it comes to work.

By the mid-point of my call-center career, I would come home in tears…not the sad mopey tears, the hot frustrated and exhausted tears. I’d even tear up on Sundays at the very thought of work.

• The constant noise and fast pace felt overwhelming.

• The repetition led to a sense of mental exhaustion.

• Dealing with difficult customers became emotionally draining.

Please don’t let it get to that point in your career. If work is affecting your sleep, mood, or the way you enjoy your free time, it’s time to make a change. You deserve a career that energizes you, not one that leaves you exhausted and unhappy. I’m living proof that it is possible to make a change and thrive in your career!

Final Thoughts

No one is to blame when it comes to outgrowing your job. It’s not a matter of personal or professional failure. It is also not a demonstration of disloyalty to a company if you decide to move on. We all have to take personal ownership of our careers and our futures.

The career decisions we make should not be personal or emotional. Our decisions should be made with careful consideration of our multifaceted needs, aspirations, values and goals. If you realize you are at a point that you need to move on, be sure to network with other professionals in your industry, upskill and revamp your resume to see which of your skills are in demand.