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Know When It’s Time to Start Looking for a New Job

We're wired to avoid change — even when we are unhappy. That’s why it’s so difficult to leave a job, no matter how uninspiring or monotonous it may be. But sometimes a career switch is in your best interest. A few key signs can help you decide to make a move:

• You're not learning. Studies have shown that the happiest progression to old age involves work that stimulates the mind into continuous learning.
• You’re underperforming. If you could do your job in your sleep, you’re almost certainly underperforming. Sooner or later, this will harm your résumé and employability. You're better off finding a job that entices you to perform at your highest level.
• You feel undervalued. You won’t enjoy your work unless you feel appreciated, especially by your manager. And feeling undervalued makes you more likely to burn out and engage in counterproductive work behaviors, like absenteeism and sabotage.

Adapted from “5 Signs It’s Time for a New Job,” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.