According to the Gallup annual Employee Engagement Survey, the number of actively disengaged workers in the U.S. is growing. The data shows that disengagement rates are at their highest in a decade, reaching 18%. And what’s even more worrying is that the number of engaged workers is decreasing, falling from 36% to 32% in just two years.
The disengagement phenomenon quickly received a name: quiet quitting. Suddenly, 2022 became the year of putting in the minimum effort to get through the workday. And everyone had something to say about it, from TikTokers to The Guardian, either criticizing or praising the idea of no longer subscribing to the hustle-culture belief that work equals life.
But while quiet quitting can be liberating, it can also prevent you from fulfilling your potential. So how do you ensure that you’re not partaking in the trend and, instead, are making smart moves to build a satisfying career while maintaining a work-life balance?
Here are the hidden signs of quiet quitting at work, along with a few practical strategies to overcome its risks.
The Signs of Quiet Quitting at Work
For some professionals, quietly quitting a job is a conscious choice to dedicate more time to life events that hold a higher level of priority at the moment.
For example, someone starting or expanding their family may put work on the back burner until they manage to become comfortable in their new role as a parent. Or, a person going through a health scare might opt to prioritize their physical and emotional well-being to prevent burnout. Even budding entrepreneurs who are starting a side hustle they hope will, one day, grow into a full-fledged business may choose to take things easy at their 9-to-5 to conserve energy for the late nights that starting a business necessitates.
However, for some people, the process of quiet quitting comes about slowly and without warning. It happens so smoothly that, one day, they find themselves floating through life, checking items off their to-do lists and realizing that they have zero passion for the jobs to which they dedicate one-third of their time.
So, what are the hidden signs of quiet quitting? What do you need to look out for to ensure you’re not wasting time at a job you hate or carelessly squandering your talent by simply not caring enough?
Well, in general, there are six “symptoms” you need to look out for:
1. Decreased productivity
If you notice that your days are ending with a considerable number of tasks still left on your to-do list (and you’re 100% sure your workload hasn’t increased), you might be experiencing a productivity dip. Now, naturally, everyone’s output levels ebb and flow based on several internal and external factors. However, if you notice that you’ve been in a slump for more than a few months, it might be time to take a look into the underlying reasons.
2. Lack of motivation and enthusiasm
Just like productivity levels, motivation can go up and down. Sometimes, we’re ready to tackle everything life throws at us. Other times, we’d rather stay in bed. However, if you find yourself dreading Mondays and feeling like every work task is a waste of your time and energy, chances are, you’re either quiet quitting or, even worse, experiencing burnout.
3. Avoiding team events
We’ve all come down with a case of Zoom fatigue during the pandemic. However, are you constantly thinking up excuses to miss work functions? Are you pretending that your webcam is broken? If that’s the case, you might be quietly quitting, isolating yourself from your team in an attempt to make work as small of a part of your life as possible.
4. Absenteeism (or simply being late to work)
Absenteeism is one of the most prominent signs of active disengagement. And while your remote job may allow all the flexibility in the world, taking more days off, or flat out not showing up when you said you would, might be a sign that you’ve given up on doing your best.
5. Irritability and a negative mindset toward your job
Everyone has bad days. However, if you’re constantly feeling stressed, are irritable, and feel like your job (or your coworkers) is a pain in the back, there’s a high chance you’ve already given up on bringing your A game to the workplace.
6. No interest in professional development
Lastly, if you find that you have lost all interest in developing yourself professionally and have zero interest in honing your skills, moving up the ladder, or even exploring growth options, we can guarantee that you’ve become the victim of the quiet quitting movement.
How to Overcome Quiet Quitting
While a few out-of-touch commentators (and possibly your boss) might have said that quiet quitting makes you a useless member of society, you must remember that that’s not actually why the practice is something you should avoid. After all, human beings are not primarily workers whose sole purpose of existing is to create value for others to enjoy.
No, the issue with quiet quitting is that it’s detrimental to your overall happiness. According to research, people with the highest levels of well-being feel fulfilled at their jobs. So, if you’re looking to improve your overall happiness, the key might not be to do less at your job. On the contrary, it might be to overcome the habit of quiet quitting and find ways to make work fulfilling.
So how do you overcome job disengagement? Here are a few strategies that could help you get where you need to be to feel happy and accomplished.
1. Take some time to rest and reevaluate
Sometimes, the best medicine for a productivity slump isn’t to try and do more. Instead, it’s to allow yourself to take time off. So, if you’re looking for the best way to rethink your life, use your PTO. But don’t just spend precious days lazing around the house. Make sure to get away, preferably far enough from home, so that the fresh surroundings can provide the distance you need to genuinely reevaluate your professional path and goals. Even if you’re on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable deals to be found by using resources like Google Flights.
2. Ask for what you need
Sometimes, getting what you need at work is as easy as asking. Whether you feel like you should be compensated better or like you need more recognition, don’t be afraid to speak up. After all, your boss and your managers can’t read your mind. But if you give them pointers on how to make you happier at work (which will inevitably lead to better performance), they’re sure to see things your way. Besides, the worst thing that can happen is that they say no. And if that’s the case, well, at least you’ll know that it’s time to start searching for a place of employment that’s a better fit for you.
3. Actively work to make your private life fulfilling
One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of job satisfaction is that it’s inevitably impacted by your emotional well-being. If you’re miserable at home, there won’t be much that will help you feel energized and motivated at work. A great way to overcome a slump is to make positive changes at home. Take better care of your overall health, learn how combining certain supplements can boost physical and cognitive performance, pick up a creative hobby, or spend more time with the people you care about.
4. Ask for help
Everyone needs support — especially when making big life changes. So, if you feel like your career path isn’t going the way you wanted it to, it might not be a bad idea to employ the services of a coach. Sure, many people think that coaching is a hoax. But sometimes, a fresh and objective perspective on things is all you really need to get that second wind to go after your professional goals.
5. Don’t expect things to change overnight
Finally, don’t fall into the trap of wanting positive things to happen immediately. Sure, achieving our goals is great. But genuinely impactful change can’t happen at once, so don’t rush the process. Instead, give yourself the benefit of an open mind and a willingness to explore all the possibilities you might not have considered before.
Final Thoughts
Though it may not seem like much of an issue, quiet quitting can be detrimental to your overall happiness. So, if you feel like the work you do every day is a waste of time, consider whether you need to take steps to overcome your current situation.
In the end, work may not be everything in life. But life sure is better if the 40 hours per week you spend at work are put towards something you enjoy.
