You don’t have to hate your job to know it’s not the right fit anymore.
The shift happens.
You wake up one day, realizing you’ve stopped caring about the things that used to light you up.
You’re still performing, still checking all the boxes, but inside, something feels off.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it me, or has this job changed?” there’s a good chance you’ve outgrown it.
After decades in HR, coaching hundreds of professionals through this exact crossroads, and having experienced it myself, I’ve noticed that there are always a few telltale signs.
Here are five to look for (and what to do about them).
1. You’ve mastered the job, but it’s stopped stretching you.
You can do it with your eyes closed.
The projects that used to challenge you now feel repetitive. You know what to expect, and that predictability doesn’t excite you anymore.
You haven’t lost motivation; you’ve lost the challenge.
Try this: Pay attention to what still sparks your curiosity. Those moments point directly toward what’s next for you.
2. You feel unseen, no matter how much you give.
You show up. You deliver. You make things happen.
And yet others get the spotlight while your work runs smoothly in the background.
That’s not failure. It’s a sign that the environment around you no longer sees your full value.
Try this: Start keeping a “wins” list, big and small, noting the results you achieve, not just your effort. It’ll remind you of what you bring to the table and build your confidence and accomplishments list.
3. Sunday nights feel heavier than they used to.
That sinking feeling that creeps in before the week even starts? It’s not something to ignore.
It’s your energy’s way of saying, “Something here doesn’t fit anymore.”
Try this: Ask yourself, “If I could rebuild my job from scratch, what would I keep, and what would I let go?”
You don’t have to quit tomorrow, but that simple question can reveal what alignment could look like again.
4. You keep saying, “I should be grateful.”
Gratitude is beautiful until it becomes the reason you stay stuck.
You can be thankful and want more. Both can be true at once.
Try this: Write down what “more” actually means to you. More authority? Recognition? Respect? Clarity around that will show you the new direction to move toward.
5. You’re not sure who you are without your title.
You’ve spent years building credibility around your role, and it’s natural to wonder who you are without it.
That question isn’t a problem to solve; it’s an invitation to redefine success on your own terms.
Try this: Think back to three times you felt really proud of your work. What were you doing? Who were you being? Those are your clues to what feels like you again.
You don’t need a crisis to change direction.
You just need to notice when one of these signs starts to appear and point you toward making a change.
This next chapter isn’t about starting over; it’s about realigning with who you’ve become.
If you’re ready to explore what that could look like, I can help you map it out.
Book a complimentary Career Reimagined Strategy Session to reconnect with what’s next for you and map out a plan that feels clear, aligned, and completely doable.
[Schedule your call here →]