Are You Too Comfortable in Your Job - The Muse

Are You Too Comfortable in Your Job - The MuseAre You Too Comfortable in Your JobBeing comfortable is usually a good thing.At the beginning of a new job, thats what you aspire to. You cant wait to push past the awkwardness of getting to know new colleagues, the stress of not knowing what youre doing, and the pressure to prove yourself. You just want to be able to relax. But theres a point at which being comfortable in your job can be a bad thing and work against you in your career growth. Honestly, you should always strive to feel a little uncomfortable in your job- because that means youre learning, growing, pushing yourself, and working toward something bigger. Here are a few signs you may be resting on your laurels at work- and what it can mean for your future.1. Thats Not Possible Becomes Your Immediate ResponseRemember when you were new to the job and eager to impress? You didnt want to let anyone down, so no matter what was asked of you, you found a way to make it happen. But w hen you get too used to the ways things are, that way of thinking can change. Instead, you abflug sticking to the status quo instead of challenging it. If someone asks you to do something that seems difficult or outside of your normal responsibilities, your response is no longer, Ill find a way to make that happen, but rather, Sorry, thats not possible.The Danger ZoneWhen you dont put visible effort into your actions or responses, youll eventually get caught. Youll tell someone, Thats not possible, but inevitably, someone else will figure out how to get it done- and then youll look lazy. And if you keep it up, youll develop a reputation for being unreliable. 2. You Stop Pushing BackWhen youre hungry for success, youre more eager to make your voice heard. That means when someone suggests an idea, youre much more likely to share your opinion about whether it will work or not and what you think would make it work even better. You want to push your team- and yourself- to be the best you can possibly be. But once youre comfortable in your position, that becomes less of a priority. Instead of pushing back against ideas you dont agree with or think will work, you abflug agreeing with whatever is suggested first. The less resistance you offer, the quicker the meeting can be adjourned and you can go home. The Danger ZoneIf you arent pushing back, theres a good chance youre becoming OK with mediocre work, and thats bad news for your career. You should be excited to help your boss and team develop the best ideas possible- ideas that are going to work and deliver results. At some point, especially if you started as a vocal go-getter, your boss is going to notice your lack of enthusiasm- and could assume that youre not interested moving up (or being part of the team at all). 3. You Arent Interested in New OpportunitiesWhen you know what youre doing, youre good at it, and you dont have any intention of leaving that job any time soon, you start letting the idea of new opport unities pass you by.You quit networking, stop updating your resume, and start neglecting your LinkedIn profile- and you certainly dont set virtual foot on any job search boards. It just doesnt seem worth your time when youre perfectly content in your current job. The Danger ZoneYou may not think you want a new job right now, but by shutting yourself off from your contacts, you could easily miss out on new opportunities- for a new job, a way to collaborate with another company or department, or an introduction to another contact who could boost your career. Plus, by staying job-search ready with an up-to-date resume, online presence, and network of contacts, if something unexpected were to happen to your current job, youd be in a good place to quickly line up something new. 4. Youre OK With the Bare MinimumYou show up to the office at 9 AM, take your lunch break from 12 PM to 1 PM (OK, maybe a little longer on Fridays), and youre out the door at 5 PM sharp. Your daily routine is like clockwork. You have your job and day-to-day routine down to a science, so why stick around any longer than youre expected to?The Danger ZoneIts not about working long hours or refusing to take a lunch break we all want a healthy work-life balance. But such a firm routine hints that you may not be feeling any pressure in your job, let alone excitement about projects that push you past watching the clock- which could mean youre not being challenged. Instead, you should be constantly looking for ways to take on new responsibilities or projects that will help you develop new skills. By doing that, youll put yourself in a position in which others (namely, your boss) can clearly see your work ethic and potential for advancement.Photo of woman at desk courtesy of Shutterstock.