3 Signs It's Time For A Career Reset

Is your morning cup of coffee not giving you the pep-in-your-step that it used to? It may not be the caffeine that’s the issue; it might actually be your career. Now, if your coffee pot was really having issues, you’d likely try to troubleshoot the issue before throwing it out entirely. The same goes for your career: we’re not suggesting that you quit on a whim tomorrow morning, but you should pay attention to the signs that are telling you it might be time for some career maintenance.

1. Your Relationship with Rest is... Complicated

Do you remember the last time you woke up feeling refreshed? If not, it might mean that your work has driven you to a constant state of exhaustion. 

Before you blame your job completely, do a quick sleep hygiene check (because blaming your career for your 2 AM TikTok habits isn't exactly fair). 

Still feeling like your energy is zapped everyday? Grab a journal (or your Notes app) – we're about to crack the case of your vanishing energy. For one week, track your energy levels:

• Track your activities and rate your energy levels on a scale of 1-5 (where 5 is "I could run a marathon" and 1 is "please don't make me be a human right now")
• Note the time, what you're doing, and your energy rating
• By the end of the week, you'll have a clear view of your energy patterns

Now comes the fun part: connecting the dots. Maybe you'll discover that those 3PM strategy sessions with Bob from accounting often leave you feeling low energy or those morning client calls actually energize you.

Start by shifting those energy-draining tasks to times when you're naturally more charged – maybe those detailed spreadsheets deserve your morning mental clarity rather than your post-lunch fog. 

Use this data to have meaningful conversations with your manager or team. Certain responsibilities could be restructured, or some tasks would be better suited to a teammate who actually gets excited by the things that drain you. 

2. You’re Running on Autopilot

When every email and meeting feels like climbing Mount Everest, you might have an engagement problem. That glazed-over feeling isn't just about Monday blues anymore – it's become your default setting.

Try exploring different roles that make your eyes light up (you know, that spark you get when someone describes their job and you think, "Wait, people get paid to do that?"). Pay attention to what aspects of their work trigger your curiosity. Maybe it's not the whole role you want, but elements of it that could be incorporated into your current position.

Is it your specific role that's causing all those yawns, or is it the broader company culture? 

There's a big difference between "I don't enjoy these tasks" and "I don't thrive in this environment." One might be fixed with a role change, while the other might require a company change.

Finally, turn those networking platforms into your personal career research lab. LinkedIn isn't just for humble-bragging about promotions – it's a window into possible futures. Think of it as window shopping for your next career move.

3. Your Personal Life is Getting Professional-zoned

If your work calendar is colonizing your family dinner time and your Slack notifications have become your evening lullaby, Houston, we have a problem.

Start by setting actual boundaries – and yes, this means more than silencing your phone during dinner. Your emails won't self-destruct if you don't check them at midnight, and the world won't end if you're not instantly available 24/7.

Make a solid case for more resources. Document your workload, gather data on team capacity, and present solutions rather than just problems. Sometimes the squeaky wheel really does get the grease (or in this case, the extra team member).

Start Small

Here's the truth about career changes: they don't need to be dramatic plot twists. Sometimes the smallest adjustments – a boundary here, a schedule tweak there, an honest conversation with your manager – can transform your professional story.

Start with one small change this week. See how it feels. Then adjust, adapt, and keep moving forward. The best career paths aren't always straight lines – sometimes they're thoughtfully crafted zigzags that lead us exactly where we need to be.