You’ve heard it before—never give up, push through, winners never quit. But what if the real power isn’t in sticking it out but in knowing when to move on?
There’s something to be said for persevering, pushing through challenges, being patient, and staying committed to a goal. After all, a certain level of discipline is needed to succeed.
But there’s also power in recognizing when something no longer serves you. If you feel stuck in a career rut, an unfulfilling job, a business you're not passionate about, or even a relationship that drains you, it might be time for a career & life shift.
Wherever you are, I know this is a challenging place to be. Human beings are generally creatures of habit - we’re risk-averse, and we don’t want changes. So mostly, we’re going to try to stick it out and do anything possible for it to work.
But at some point (latest when it becomes unbearable!), it becomes clear that it’s time to move on. The challenge is knowing when it’s time to quit and move on to the next chapter of your life vs pushing yourself to stay somewhere you know in your heart you don’t want to be anymore.
Today, we’ll break down four powerful signs that indicate you’re ready for a shift in your career and life.
1. You’re No Longer Growing or Developing
From a psychological standpoint, life is a continuous developmental and growth process. We're wired to evolve, constantly reaching for the next level.
If you look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs there’s always a drive for self-actualization, meaning, and fulfillment. This applies to both your personal and professional life. Once your basic needs are met, you're naturally going to strive to move up the hierarchy.
In your job or career, growth can look different for different people:
Some aim for promotions, higher salaries, and leadership roles.
Others seek mastery, becoming experts in their fields.
Some crave new challenges, constantly adding to their skill set.
But when there are no more opportunities to grow, or the pace of growth doesn’t match your ambitions, it becomes a problem. If you feel stagnant and unchallenged, it may be time to move on.
For a deeper dive into the importance of growth for your fulfillment, listen to the full podcast episode here.
2. You’re Giving More Than You're Getting Back
Every meaningful experience in life, whether in your career, relationships, or personal life, involves giving and receiving. Both are important and when they're in balance, you feel fulfilled.
You give your energy, time, gifts, skills, ideas, love, attention, lessons… and you receive lessons, payment, knowledge, energy & time from other people…
If you feel like you’re giving more than you’re receiving, or if what you receive no longer excites or fulfills you, it’s a sign to move on. This applies to relationships as well. If you find yourself constantly giving love, energy, and attention but receiving less in return, it’s time to reconsider the relationship.
Remember, the goal is a win-win situation. If the balance is off and you’re not benefiting from the experience anymore, don’t be afraid to make a change.
3. It Feels Heavy and Draining
How do you feel about your current situation most of the time? If going to work (or staying in a relationship, running a business, etc.) feels heavy over a longer period of a time, that’s an important sign.
Other "symptoms" that something is no longer aligned with you:
It feels hard to go work or work on a specific project.
You need to force yourself and use a lot of energy to motivate yourself.
There’s no excitement or joy in the work you do.
You feel drained rather than fulfilled by the end of the day.
You get to do work that gives you JOY - that’s what you came here to do. When something feels heavy and joyless over an extended period, it’s a strong sign that you're ready for a career and life shift.
4. Your Intuition is Pushing You Toward Something New
Sometimes, logically it makes "sense" to stay, but your gut feeling says otherwise.
Everything looks great on paper, but deep down, you’re not feeling it anymore.
You keep thinking about new possibilities and what your life could be like if you made a change.
You feel a pull towards something different, even if you can’t fully explain why.
This is your inner wisdom, your soul, your unconscious speaking. The moment you start seriously considering other options, that’s a sign. In relationships, the moment you start wondering if you should leave, that’s a red flag that something is deeply out of alignment with you.
Often, it's going to be hard for you to give up fast - a lot of us have limiting beliefs around giving up too soon, being a failure for not pushing through, we're scared of change....
But there will be situations in your life, when staying doesn't serve anyone. Not you, not your team, not your clients, not your partner.
In that case, no one is benefiting from you staying in a place that no longer feels aligned with you.
Learning to discern when it's time to move away and when to stay is a skill and your intuition is an important tool for guiding you toward what’s right for you.
For more on how to listen to your intuition, tune into the podcast episode.
How to Discern Temporary Challenges from Signs You're Ready For A Career & Life Shift
Not every challenge means it’s time to quit. Some obstacles are there to help you grow. So, how do you tell the difference?
✨ Reflect on past experiences: How did you know when it was time to move on before? What did that knowing feel like?
✨ Ask yourself: How much would they have to pay me to stay? If the answer is "there's no such amount", it’s time to go.
✨ Check your energy levels: Temporary challenges may feel frustrating, but they don’t consistently drain you.
✨ Notice how resistance feels in your body: Does staying feel like a burden? Does moving on feel like relief?
Give Yourself Permission to Move On
Don't forget that life is always changing, and so are you. What was perfect for you five years ago may no longer be aligned with who you are today. Some experiences are meant to last a lifetime, while others serve their purpose for a season.
If a part of you is craving change, trust that inner wisdom. Moving on isn’t about failure; it’s about honoring your growth and making space for new opportunities that are truly meant for you.
Listen to the entire podcast episode here.
Ready to take the next step?
I offer transformational coaching programs to help you find your purpose and navigate career and life transitions with clarity and confidence.
✨ GET UNSTUCK SPECIAL: 4-week starter coaching package to help you get unstuck)
✨ PURPOSE & POTENTIAL: 8-week deep dive to find your purpose and reach your full potential
✨ TRANSFORM SIGNATURE PROGRAM: 3, 6, or 9 month individual coaching program that will transform your life inside out
Want to know which program is a perfect fit for you? 👇
From my heart to yours
Tajda 🌷🫶
Author
Tajda Glazer
Professional Life & Career Coach, Psychological Consultant and host of the podcast "What If It Is Possible?"
I'm a lawyer turned Professional Life & Career Coach and I've helped hundreds of clients go from feeling lost, anxious, burned out and stuck on the hamster wheel, to finding their purpose and turning their dream life & career into reality. I believe in making changes from the inside out, in a way that feels easeful and aligned with you. ✨ I host the podcast "What If It Is Possible?", mentor students in reaching their goals, and help leaders elevate their conscious leadership skills.
