Are You Too Smart for Your Job?
By Paul Rothbart
Being intelligent is a good thing. It's a useful quality and can certainly be helpful at work. Being able to solve complex problems and work to a high standard can keep the boss happy, earn you a good salary, and help you feel fulfilled. But what if you are too smart for your job? You would still be able to perform it well, but perhaps you would be happier and better served by finding something more challenging. It can also be better for your mental health. How do you know? Here are some signs that you may be too smart for your job.
Boredom
The first and most easily recognized sign of being too smart for your job is feeling bored every day. This happens because the work feels easy and doesn't challenge you to push your abilities. It may seem that performing simple tasks will make for easy workdays, but time drags when you are bored. With your mind is in the fog of boredom, it's easy to make mistakes due to lack of concentration. You tend to focus better and enjoy better mental health when challenged.
Lack of Motivation
While money and perks can be good incentives, true motivation comes from within. Feeling valued by your company and knowing that you make contributions with your intellect and skill set each day can provide the drive to keep getting better. If you rarely experience that at work, it's another sign you may be too smart for that position.
No Opportunity for Growth
Part of the appeal of taking a job is opportunities for growth and advancement. Learning new skills and taking on more responsibilities are great for self-confidence and can be part of what makes a job worthwhile and enjoyable. If there are no opportunities for growth, you may have gone as far as you can in that job, which is a definite sign of being too smart for it.
There's No Mentor
You have to be intelligent to grow, but it's also helpful to have a mentor. Someone who is experienced and has successfully climbed the ladder you are currently upon can show you the ropes. A good mentor is a teacher, a motivator, and a confidant. If there is no one at your job capable of mentoring you, it may be because you are just too smart for it. You've already gone as far as you can.
The main purpose of a job is income to support oneself and one's family. But you spend a lot of time at work. A career that doesn't challenge and allow room to grow, will not be satisfying and can make every day drag on in a state of boredom. If you see signs that you are too smart for your job, it may be time for a change of employer. Getting ahead sometimes means moving on.
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