I hated my previous job, yet I didn’t want to leave.
I raged in silence, debated sending my resignation until my head hurt, and cried every day.
It was a soulless, tedious job, but I was scared to leave despite that.
I was in my career comfort zone.
You might be experiencing something similar, or maybe you’re just curious about what career comfort zone means, so you clicked on this post.
This article will discuss the five signs you’re in your career comfort zone and how to leave it (in the least painful way.)
Table of Contents
What Is Your Career Comfort Zone?
Your career comfort zone is a stage in your career when you’re feeling unfulfilled, unchallenged, and stuck – but you’re afraid to leave because despite things being unfulfilling, even the ugly parts are now familiar to you.
It’s funny how most people want to avoid the career comfort zone yet find themselves in it throughout their lives.
These people will normally drone on about how much they love their jobs and try to explain to others why it’s so amazing. But when you truly love what you do and feel like you’re growing in your career, just a few words will suffice to explain your love for it.
Let’s jump into the five glaring signs you need to look out for to determine if you’re in your career comfort zone or not.
5 Signs You’re in Your Career Comfort Zone
1. You’re in a job for a very long period
Staying in one job for most of your life is something our parents and grandparents did. They wore their tenure like a badge of honor. I still remember my dad proudly counting down each year he stayed with his company.
But maybe it’s a change in generational mindset or the ever-evolving world we’re in today that convinces us that there’s no need to stay stuck in a job for an extended amount of time – especially if that job doesn’t make you fulfilled or you’re struggling to get through each day.
It might be a different case if you genuinely love what you do – then, by all means, stay and never leave. But if you dislike what you do, it’s time to pack up your things and look for something better.
Most people who hate their jobs but stay for a long time believe that their situation will change one day. They think they might get a promotion or a raise that will change their outlook about their job.
But from experience people-observing, the money just isn’t worth the extra responsibilities. When you get that promotion, your duties increase, which means you stay longer in an office you hate.
The novelty of these false pleasures always wears off.
2. You think you can’t do better
When your days merge, and you do the same things day in and day out, you become complacent. You start believing that these skills are the farthest you’ll go and that learning anything new is pointless.
You stay in that dead-end job because you believe you don’t match up to the exciting job description you saw the other day. Your job duties also seem comfortable, and you can’t think out of the box – you only think within the confines of your job.
Complacency in the job environment has killed more confidence than in high school.
3. You envy other’s jobs
If you find yourself envying your friends’ jobs or someone you saw on social media, then it’s probably because you’re lacking excitement in your job.
And it’s very possible for you to get a job that you’re excited about too. Everyone deserves to do something that they feel crazy about. But you need to believe that it’s in the cards for you.
I once envied people with the job I have now. I still remember to feel grateful for it every day because even the low parts of it are still higher than the high parts of my previous job.
4. You aren’t learning new skills
When you’re stuck doing the same things every day, your knowledge base and desire for learning atrophy slowly.
Now, some people view not learning as a good thing. They think it means they’re comfortable and never have to use their brain.
But not learning new skills means you aren’t growing – not just professionally but personally too.
It’s crucial to upskill or even reskill yourself (learn a new skill) to grow as a person. And if you aren’t given that opportunity in your current job, then you’re in your comfort zone, and it’s time to get out.
5. You feel unchallenged and stagnant
If every day feels the same – dreary, cold, and dull – you aren’t challenging yourself. And without challenge, you don’t grow.
I used to think being unchallenged was a good thing. Until remaining stagnant exhausted me.
Challenges, change, and new opportunities make you feel alive.
How to Leave Your Career Comfort Zone
1. Become more open to change
The most obvious way to leave your career comfort zone is to become more welcoming to change.
This isn’t easy, and it’s standard to shy away from challenges or changes; however, without those, we would stay the same. And what a boring life that would be.
Becoming open to change might mean actively seeking out challenges by speaking to your boss about new projects, embracing a change of position, or being okay with moving to a new job.
2. Never stop learning
The only way to grow personally and professionally is to be a lifelong learner.
Even learning a skill that isn’t directly correlated to your current job will never go to waste. Every skill can be applied to something else.
Great places to upskill yourself are Skillshare, Masterclass, Udemy, and Coursera. You can also ask your employer if they have any training programs you can join.
Your new skills could even translate to a completely different career!
3. Network with people you were once afraid to speak to
If you’re anything like me, you’re afraid to speak to seemingly important people. But fearing speaking to management or people that have better jobs than you is pointless.
They’re normal people, and they could potentially help you get a new job.
LinkedIn is also a great platform to do this. You have access to thousands of people living their dream or have what you want. And what better way to get what you want than to connect with people who have it?
4. Connect with your inner child
Every child is a dreamer.
We wanted to be and do so many things. But then we grew up and were forced to think more “practically.” But to your inner child, the comfort zone doesn’t exist.
If there was a dream you coveted as a kid, now is the time to see if you can make it a reality.
5. Think about starting something of your own
Not everyone is cut out to be an employee. Some people are just meant to work for themselves. And if you hate your job, ask yourself if entrepreneurship is what you seek.
Maybe you hate your job because you’d rather call the shots?
In that case, there are so many business opportunities. You don’t even have to spend much money or leave the comfort of your home to start a business today.
Try going part-time into a side hustle or freelance – you just might find what you’re looking for in entrepreneurship.
Final Thoughts
Remember, there will come a time when you’re feeling fulfilled in your work, and there’s no harm in settling down and enjoying a long journey in your career. You don’t always have to hop, skip, and jump out of your comfort zone.
However, when you feel unfulfilled and unchallenged yet still choose to stay in a job, that’s when it’s time to leave.
Get out while you can and explore your undiscovered abilities and talents. You’ll be surprised at how much you didn’t know you could do.
I moved out of my career comfort zone a year ago. And went into something completely different, and I’m having the best time of my life.