I'm going to let you in on a little secret 🤫 — you may have quit your job, but don't even realize it yet.

I know it sounds crazy. But, it happens more than you think.

Leaving your job isn't always a dramatic, "burning bush" moment. For many, they slowly distance themselves from their role before actually quitting.

See if this is you...

1. You no longer have any conversations about future projects or goals with your boss or co-workers.

You may not realize it, but your hatred for your job is trickling into your professional interactions. After all, why should you care about what happens next quarter or next year? You're not going to be there! If you're in the habit of avoiding any conversations with your boss or co-workers, it's probably a sign that you've already left the building (in your head anyway).

2. You're getting into trouble for things you've never been in trouble for before.

When you're unhappy at work, it's a lot harder to stay focused and care about the details that matter. It's also just tougher to even pretend to care about the small details. As this evolves, you'll inevitably be called out by your boss or your co-workers

3. You're questioning why the company does things a certain way without offering suggestions on how to do them better.

Questioning the status quo is a good thing — but only when you're following it up with suggested solutions. Where you were once likely an innovator, you're now just tired of the same-old, same-old.

4. You're not interested in learning anything new at work – whether it's a new technology or procedure – because "you'll just forget it anyway."

The most common reason why people don't want to learn something new at work: they think they'll never use it again when they leave. Face it: if you've mentally checked out — you're likely not interested in learning something unique to your current job.

5. You find yourself bad-mouthing the company when you go out with friends.

Work consumes most of your day. So, naturally, you'll confide in friends when you feel miserable and trapped. You know you're better than this but it's natural to seek encouragement and hope from those closest to you when you've already checked out.

6. You waste the weekend recovering from the misery of the week.

The weekend is a precious thing. All week, you daydream about the time you can spend doing whatever you want, hanging out with whoever you want, watching whatever movie or TV show you want. But then the weekend comes. And, on Friday night you're in bed by 9pm, because you've spent your whole week in survival mode. The result? You're too exhausted to even do anything fun on your off days.

7. You think about quitting. Every day.

If you have a job that's not great, the thought of quitting might cross your mind every now and then. But if it's truly a job you loathe, the thought will loom in your head daily. If it's something you can't shake, maybe it's time to figure out if it's a passing phase or something more serious.

8. You don't care anymore.

If you've lost all sense of caring about your job, that can mean one of two things: Either you're burnt out and need a break or it's just plain not right for you anymore. If you aren't able to get excited about even the smallest things at work and have nothing positive to say about your job at all, maybe it is time for something new.

So you've mentally checked out from your job. Now what?

The fact that you're reading this is a good sign. You know something has to change.

Maybe you're bored and uninspired, or maybe you're burned out and overworked. Maybe you don't feel like your work is meaningful, or maybe you just don't feel valued.

Whatever the reason, if you've already mentally checked out, don't just jump to a new job without doing the work to ensure you don't wind up feeling this way all over again.

A Life Unleashed brings together professionals who feel trapped to rethink and reinvent how they make their living. Each member starts with the Unleash U. course that helps them uncover the exact requirements and values that are mission-critical to their work life. See the full list of modules in the course and learn more about the ALU Community.