Unfortunately, job dissatisfaction is too prevalent in today’s education working world. Recognizing job dissatisfaction and taking steps to turn your career around is critical to happiness.
Between managers who are not leaders, lack of progress or challenges, unpleasant co-workers, and job insecurity, it is easy to feel dissatisfied at work.
The key is recognizing career discontentment, so you may take steps to remedy it as quickly as possible.
The lingering issues can manifest worse if you do not resolve your unhappiness at work. Unhappiness can escalate to weight gain or loss, depression, anxiety, and other health problems. It can also spin off into your home/family life. Take action to resolve your unhappiness. Resolving your dissatisfaction could mean rejuvenating your education career or making a career transition within the academic sector or outside of the field of education. Take the time to self-reflect and evaluate your current job.
8 Job Dissatisfaction Indicators
1. Lack of motivation to get out of bed
Do you spring out of bed or hit the snooze button when the alarm clock goes off? If you hit “snooze,” how many times? Why don’t you want to get out of bed? Is it simply a lack of sleep or feeling under the weather? Or is it because you dread facing another day of work? We all have our bad days, and everyone is entitled to them; however, if you are having “bad days” regularly, you must examine the cause.
2. Lack of drive while at work
After you’ve hit snooze several times and dragged yourself to work, can you motivate yourself once you’re finally there? Or do you sit at your desk, fiddle around, and stall as much as possible? If you lack drive and enthusiasm, your work may begin to suffer – quality and meeting deadlines will slip. A supervisor will most definitely notice if this starts to happen. It can be tough to get motivated sometimes, but you must try your most complex and put in a total effort.
3. Absence of focus and concentration
If there is a lack of enthusiasm, concentration will surely be absent. Menial tasks may be hard to concentrate on as you do not find them challenging or rewarding. Sometimes, redundant tasks require the most precise precision that drives a person to job dissatisfaction.
Do not let yourself become unfocused. Take a quick walk around the building or office, grab coffee or tea, and then focus on the work.
4. Lack of energy at work and home
Are the everyday responsibilities of your job sapping every ounce of energy from your being? Does it take all of your willpower to force yourself to complete a project on time? A lack of energy can be a part of job dissatisfaction. However, it could also mean a lack of sleep and health issues. Take time to examine why you don’t have energy throughout the workday. Or is it only at certain times of the day or week?
5. No longer caring about quality or pace of work
Did you take pride in a job well done, but that is no longer the case? Do you put in minimal effort without concern for the finished product? Does a task take you longer to complete than it really should? When you stop caring about your work, you have entered the realm of job dissatisfaction. If you find you are no longer there to do a good job but collect a paycheck, you know it’s time to move on to a different position.
6. Constant worry or looking over your shoulder
There is a degree of discontentment when a person constantly looks over their shoulder, worrying about the boss walking by or what a co-worker might think. It is never fun worrying about what the boss will ask you to do next or being concerned about what your next-door work neighbor might say. If this has become a constant concern for you, the issue must be addressed to the appropriate person(s). Though worrying may not be a sure sign of job dissatisfaction, it can lead to it.
7. Withdrawing from co-workers and supervisor
Were you once a bubbly and outgoing person but now are quiet and withdrawn? Did you regularly attend lunches or after-work gatherings with colleagues but have distanced yourself? Retreating into your world and wishing to be away from others is an excellent indicator of discontentment in the workplace.
Humans are social beings, and the work environment is no different. Interaction is necessary for many. Being shy or keeping certain matters private is one thing, but cutting yourself off from co-workers is another. Everyone should have at least one person at work to confide in—a person to share good news and challenges and enjoy the other’s company.
8. Daydreaming
As mentioned earlier, a lack of focus can be a symptom of job dissatisfaction. Daydreaming is another form of being unfocused. Some people daydream as a creative outlet, while others fantasize about other careers or different life. If you are contemplating the “what if’s” or various job options, you will not be in the right career.
Life is too short to spend in a career you hate!
Recognize job dissatisfaction indicators, examine your life, and make adjustments to ensure a happy and fulfilling life. I’m not saying quit your current job immediately; take the time to assess your financial situation, talk to your significant other, and start transitioning toward a more meaningful career!
It is important not to procrastinate on career happiness. All you need to do is take the first step and review alternative career choices to make a career transition.
A+ Resumes for Teachers can help you every step of the way – reach out via 1 877 738 8052 or email Candace.
