More than half of Americans feel “overworked or overwhelmed at least some of the time” and 70% say “they often dream of having a different job,” according to a recent study by the Families and Work Institute. That’s a lot of unhappy people at work, and many of them may choose to resign. But my research shows that quitting can be premature; what you might need to do instead is pause and recalibrate.
If You’re Fed Up with Your Job, Try Working More Pauses into Your Day
If you’re fed up at your job, you may be tempted to quit and start over. But chances are that if you were to jump into a new role or organization, whatever is causing you to leave may follow you. Taking a pause – or intentionally shifting your behavior in even a small way – will allow you to lift your head up, assess your situation objectively, and change your attitude, thoughts, or emotions. The first step is to know the signs that you need to take a pause. Perhaps you used to love your job and now you loathe it, or maybe you’re facing a major life challenge. Whatever the reason, plan your pause. Write down quick thoughts on what’s happening, what isn’t working, what the challenges are, and any actions you want to take. Then, set an intention. What do you want to get out of this pause and how do you want to feel at the end of it? Then figure out the length of time you’ll pause for and what you’ll do. You may start with brief breaks, like incorporating a simple breathing exercise throughout your day, or you might take a week-long vacation where you reflect on your situation and what to do about it.