"Tomorrow's tpical career will be neither linear nor continuous, nor will it always be upwards. Instead, one's life work will take more of a zig-zag course."

Tom Horton (b. 1926) U.S. entrepreneur

We all have days when we would like to stay a bed just a little bit longer or maybe call in "sick" to take advantage of beautiful weather. Maybe we leave the client's office a little earlier than planned and do not return to the office. You know what I am talking about here - right?

However, if you feel like this more and more, maybe it is time that you considered moving on. When should you make that big leap to leaving your job? There are several indicators, both internal and external.

Five internal indicators

Experts say that there are at least 5 physical indicators that might be signs that you need to make a job change:

1. Job Stress

- Do you experience chronic headaches, backaches, and sleep loss that you can link to worries about your job? This might mean you are experiencing job stress.

2. Your values are at odds with your company

- Are you are being asked to do or say things that are contrary to your fundamental beliefs? Is the company you work for using questionable practices to get ahead?

3. You're not challenged

- Are you bored at work? Do you feel like you are using the same few set of skills and not exercising new ones?

4. You've outgrown your job

- Does you job no longer fit you, your goals, your passion? Do you dream about being somewhere else?

5. Your work and your life no longer support one another.

- Has your lifestyle changed (you've gotten married or had a new baby) and you want a more predicable work schedule? Or the last child has left the house and you want to spend more time enjoying leisure activities?

If you answered "yes" to more than one of these questions, you might want to consider a job change.

Five external cues

Besides the external reasons you may have to leave your current job, there may be outside forces.

1. You are being marginalized

- Are you getting cues from your boss that you are no longer a valuable member of the team? Are many of your responsibilities being taken away? Do you feel that you have no hope for advancement or a raise? 2. You are working in an emotionally abusive environment.

- Do you feel belittled? Intimidated?

3. Company is experiencing downward spiral.

- Is the company you work for in financial jeopardy?Are you unsure of the ethics of the executive leaders?

4. Others are losing their jobs.

- Is the company you are working for downsizing? Do you fear that you are next in line?

5. You don't have a good relationship with your boss.

- You have tried to be nice, you have produced work that has been lauded by others, but your boss doesn't ever compliment you or your work.

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it is in your best interest to start to actively look for another job.

What can you do?

Try to make this a positive transition. Read my blog on making career transitions.

It is better to look for work while you still have a job. You may not be as desperate and willing to take a job that may be no better than what you currently have.

Don't burn bridges. As much as you want to tell off your boss or the company's CEO, it is never a good idea to storm out. You never know when you will meet that person or someone who knows that person again. Leave with as much of your reputation intact. Never forget that you are modeling and demonstrating great leadership no matter what the cirmcumstances you find yourself in.

Remember to stay focused on the positive. You are moving into something more positive. So take positive action. Revise resume, look for openings on the web and through family and friends and everyone in your network.

Take inventory of your skills, take measures that will improve the ones you have and develop new ones. Prepare for job interviews (do mock interviews with someone else who you trust), and when you go to an interview, be yourself.

This may be a perfect time to hire a professional coach who can get you through this transition more easily and provide the encouragement and support you may need. For more information on hiring a professional coach, visit QuadWest Associates, LLC.

Taking the time to reflect and plan can make all the difference in a smooth transition. Be Proactive.

Lead With Confidence...

P.S. Visit our website The Leadership Resource for more valuable information to Lead with Confidence!