7 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Job or Ministry and It’s Time to Move On

This can happen for a many reasons. It’s the weekend. You’re flat-out tired. Or, you really don’t want to go somewhere. Like to the office! If you’re wondering why you may be hitting the snooze button more than usual lately or why you’re having the work blues, then this post will benefit you.

Many people are burned out and hate their jobs. Research shows that a growing number of Americans are Unhappy at Work. The same goes for ministry and non-profits in general. However, all is not doom and gloom because, while the overall level of job satisfaction plummeted during the recessions 2008 and 2012, the outlook is again on the rise, according to this report from Gallup. Some are taking charge of their lives and not afraid to reinvent themselves. To assess where you are in the statistics, consider these:

1. You Start Hating Mondays! It’s Sunday evening and a dark cloud seems to settle over you for some reason. But it’s not unfamiliar. It’s been that way for several months or perhaps a few years now. In fact, it seems to happen only on Sunday evenings when you know Monday is coming. Now may be a good time to get Dan Miller’s, No More Dreaded Mondays, before it’s too late. BUT, If you can’t stand it anymore and absolutely dread the thought of going to work on Mondays, and it’s been that way for a while, it may be time to move on.

2. You No Longer Feel Challenged or Motivated. If you’re not growing spiritually and professionally at your current place of calling, then chances are you’re dying inside. Eventually, you’ll get bored and lose interest and your performance can decline rapidly. If you’re experiencing prolonged boredom and constant fatigue, it may be time to consider a change. If you lack drive and determination to achieve career goals and simply don’t care whether or not you succeed, then it’s time for an exit. If the company or ministry is not willing to reassign you or allow you to adjust your schedule, it’s time to move on.

3. You’re Constantly Complaining, Cynical, and Critical. If the people you work with now seem to make you bitter and you find yourself getting upset very easily, even for the smallest things, then there’s something inside that isn’t right. If you find yourself regularly complaining or criticizing everything and most everyone or that you can’t trust your peers and leaders, then the environment has become toxic. In which case, you need to heed the words of Elbert Hubbard, in his Message to Garcia:

4. You Have A Different Vision & Purpose. Sometimes this can lead to the problem in point #3 because when you share your ideas and vision for a better way or brighter future, that ministry or business simply cannot see it or is content to do things, “The way we’ve always done it.” Don’t fret. This was the issue for companies like Kodak, Hewlett Packard, and many others. If your vision and ideas are no longer a fit with your current place, then find a new place or create a new place where they will be. Follow your entrepreneurial bug. Follow the new brook God is opening for you. Align yourself with another like-minded company or ministry and move on without criticizing or condemning.

5. Your Body is Giving off Negative Vibes. Chronic stress, fatigue, and illness can also be signs you’ve outgrown your job or ministry. Something is amiss in your internal and external world. Is your job stressing you out too much? Not all stress is bad. In fact, stress is a natural part of life and often necessary for growth. But, if the stress makes you sick, drains your energy, contributes to major depression, causes you to miss work, or resent it, then these are warning signs that you may need a new environment or adjust your current environment. Working in a ministry setting does not make you immune to negativity and drama. Do all you can to protect your health. It’s the most important asset you have for it its the vehicle through which you get to enjoy and live a meaningful life. Therefore, guard it like a hawk, including leaving that job or ministry if you must.

6. People Are Beginning to Notice & Talk. You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all of the time. Your peers and family are seeing your lack of drive and hearing your whining. They’ve been telling you that this is not like you and that you can do so much better. They may even be encouraging you to make a change but you keep feeding them your complaints to mask your frustrations and the obvious — it’s time to move on. Listen to your friends and loved ones. They do care about you and if they have told you to launch that new business or ministry, it’s time to move up, or make your exit, then listen. They all can’t be wrong.

7. Deep Down Inside, You Just Know It’s Time! Internally, we all know when something is truly not right and it’s time to act. I believe that in terms of professional, physical, spiritual, and relational dissatisfaction, we all know deep inside when it’s time for a change. We see the signs pointing to the blatant facts but keep making excuses and giving ourselves false hope that things will get better, when in fact, they may be getting worse. Don’t let this happen to you. Give yourself permission to succeed. Stand up to your fears and defeat them by acting in spite of them. Stop tolerating the mess! By the grace of God and the support of family and friends, muster up the courage and faith to start fresh and launch a new career, ministry, or business. If God is saying it’s time to leave your Egypt, then begin the exodus now. If you know in your heart of hearts that indeed you have outgrown your present job or ministry, then it’s time to move on. Take the leap!