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Hitting a career plateau can sneak up on you. One minute you’re thriving and the next you’re bored to death. The key is recognizing when you’ve approached a dead end at your job and learning to navigate the path to brighter days. Here are signs that mean you may need a career tune-up.

You Hate Mondays

If you find yourself bombarded with anxiety every time Monday rolls around, that’s your first sign. Not just the “oh no, where did my weekend go?” Mondays, we’re talking about the ones that leave you crying through your waterproof mascara. When you love your job, you’re excited about getting the workweek started. You may start off a little slow, but you’re eager to jump in. Discover your passion and find a way to make it into a career. If you’re unable to get your entrepreneurial juices flowing, find a job you’re good at and get paid well to do it. Otherwise, you’ll slowly but surely lose sleep and watch the stress continuously pile on. If you’re feeling uncontrollable sadness every Monday, it’s time to make some changes.

You’re Not Learning

Learning new things gives you a sense of accomplishment. Sharing what you’ve learned to make a positive impact at work can be invigorating. Lacking this fire and spunk about your career can generate feelings of self-doubt and defeat. Some workers function well with repetition while others crash and burn. If you work for a company with the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy, and you crave innovation, you’re fit for company culture is most likely slipping. Mundane tasks will drive the self-motivated employee up a wall, causing fight or flight reaction. When sticking it out with the company is no longer worth the fight, start your job search.

Stressed mixed race businesswoman rubbing her forehead

Little-To-No Advancement

Some careers offer little-to-no advancement by default. The only way you’re getting a promotion is if your boss retires or … dies. Not to sound cold-blooded but that is one reason some employers are offering special bonuses for workers who retire early. When promotions are slim, try advancing through projects and added responsibility. Not every employee desires supervisory duties but can easily find ways to contribute to the company’s bottom line. Launch a mentoring, job-shadowing, or cross-training program to share your expertise. It may catch on and be just what you need to rejuvenate your love for the industry.

Don’t be afraid to take chances and create the career you desire. Settling for your current position won’t always cut it. If you’re spending more time at your job than at home, you should definitely enjoy it!

Ashley Watkins, of Write Step Resumes, LLC, helps job seekers and career changers find the career of their dreams by creating the perfect resume, providing interview preparation and career coaching. She can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or via www.WriteStepResumes.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

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3 Signs That Scream It’s Time To Leave Your Job  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com