Workplace happiness

We've all been there. We've experienced the feeling of dread, battling traffic as we drive to and from work. The lack of sleep Sunday night as your mind spins, thinking of ways to get out of work the next day. Constantly wishing you were doing something else, anything else, yet never feeling 100% clear that you're meant to leave your job and find something else.

After all, other people at work seem happy. You earn a decent living, and you've got a roof over your head because of that job.

Now, I'm going to give you the four simple signs that you should get a better job. But first, here's a bonus tell-tale sign: If you're reading this article and got this far, you probably deserve a better job. The fact that you're reading this tells me there's some part of you that knows you can do better.

But, just for fun, let's go through the four tell-tale signs you should get a better job:

1. You're Doing What You "Should" Do

Ever feel like you're constantly doing things you "ought to do" instead of what you "want to do"? If the real reason you're working is to appease your parents, impress your friends, or do what you think your great-great-grandfather would want you to do, then you're not being true to yourself, and you'll eventually snap. It's time to tune into what you want in life and take steps today to pursue it.

2. You're Incredibly Bored At Work

There's a difference between doing the occasional boring task during an otherwise enjoyable workweek and working an entire job that you're bored with. If you're daydreaming of better things to escape the mind-numbing boredom, then it's time to make those dreams come true and find a job that's fulfilling and plays to your strengths.

3. Your Co-Workers Bring You Down

People around us have a huge impact on our life, often much more than we realize. So, if you don't get along with your team, find yourself picking up bad habits from your co-workers, or just can't wait to get away from them, then that's a pretty good sign the grass is greener elsewhere.

4. You Say "No" To This Question Too Many Days In A Row

Here's the really big, final, decisive sign. It's from Steve Jobs' famous Stanford commencement speech, and it goes like this:

"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

Powerful, isn't it?

These tell-tale signs may have helped you come to terms with the fact that it's time for a change. Yet, as you likely know, figuring that out is the easy part. The much more difficult part is gaining clarity on what to do, and having the courage to do it.

If you need help building the confidence to leave your current job, check out Work It Daily and all of our career resources. We'll help you feel empowered in your job search so you can find the right job for you!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.