What is Quiet Quitting? Understanding, Identifying, and Overcoming
Have you ever found yourself feeling drained, disengaged, or simply going through the motions at work? Maybe you have felt that you are not appreciated so you cut back and do just the minimum needed to keep your job, because, let’s be real - you can’t live without an income?
If you find yourself in any of these examples, you may be experiencing what experts call "quiet quitting." It is also called "silent quitting" and it is a trend that is on the rise, particularly among millenial and Gen Z professionals. However, many are not even aware they are a part of a growing wave of unhappy employees working with minimum effort necessary to keep a job and a paycheck.
In this blog post, we'll delve into the concept of "quiet quitting", exploring its causes, signs, and most importantly, how to overcome it to reignite that passion for your career or find a different calling where you will be valued and respected.
Part 1: Understanding Quiet Quitting
Quiet quitting refers to the act of silently disengaging from your job or career, often without making any noticeable waves. It is a silent departure from your work, typically stemming from factors such as lack of fulfillment, misalignment with values, burnout, or fear of change. Quiet quitting can be detrimental to your well-being and professional growth if left unaddressed. One of the biggest causes for quiet quitting is lack of respect or mistreatment in the workplace. A lack of appreciation is often a driving factor as well. Without recognition, you might not feel like your efforts are seen and thus it might impact your drive and motivation to invest further energy into something that gives you no recognition.
Though the number of people knowingly or unknowingly doing quiet quitting is on the rise, this is not an ideal situation to be in. Quiet quitting is not really quitting your job. It is a somewhat softer approach to leaving a job. Put it this way, you will show up and do what you need to do to not get fired and get that paycheck you need to make it through the month. Doesn’t sound ideal, right?
There are a few factors to weigh in on this topic.
First, it is important not to fall into the victim mentality of quiet quitting but rather to understand it, identify it and overcome it. Whether you will overcome it by preparing an Escape Plan for a new career or reigniting passion in your current job is irrelevant, but it is of absolute importance to NOT stay in the victim mode where you will go day to day, doing the minimum you need, without any joy or spark in your daily work life. Staying in limbo is not an option.
Second of all, you need to realize that quiet quitting is a way of you placing boundaries there, where they were not before and protecting yourself from disappointment. Let’s say you did some overtime. You thought this overtime will be noticed, praised, maybe even grant you a raise or a bonus. After weeks or even months of putting in overtime, nothing changes. You don’t even get a pat on the back for your effort. It is a normal human reaction to be disappointed that the effort you put in is not valued, draw a boundary on how much of your free time will you invest (if any) and minimize your workload. The thinking behind this is: ‘‘I did a lot and got nothing and if I did the minimum, I would still get nothing. So, now to avoid disappointment, I will just do the minimum as the result is the same’’. And you know what? No one can blame you for thinking or feeling this way.
Like I mentioned, quiet quitting is on the rise, so you are not alone. But how would you know if YOU are one of the many in today’s workforce quiet quitting?
“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress.
Working hard for something we love is called passion.”
Part 2: Identifying Quiet Quitting
Recognizing the signs of quiet quitting is crucial to preventing its long-term effects. Look out for indicators like decreased productivity, loss of interest, avoidance of challenges or new responsibilities, and a negative attitude towards work. These subtle but significant shifts in behavior and mindset may be signs that you are quietly quitting.
Take a moment to reflect on your current state of mind and emotions. Ask yourself important questions like:
Do I feel satisfied with my work?
A very obvious question and it should be an easy one to answer. You can also ask yourself if you feel passionate about your work or if you feel happy doing what you are doing. Basically, all these questions will give you an asnwer of whether your job is still serving you, versus you serving the job. If you need more direction, feel free to read my blog Stuck or Soaring: How to assess if your job still takes you higher which will definitely give you on-point clues to get to the bottom of it.
Am I genuinely invested in what I do?
Do you feel like you are present and 100% into what you are doing? How about 90%? Okay, at least 80%? Maybe not… Being invested in what you do really gives meaning to your work. Think about your work time - if you are dreading it, if you are trying to cut your work time short, or if you get distracted easily. Another good indicator is if you voluntarily engage in distractions ( make excuses for coffee breaks, smoking breaks, social media etc.) If you are harboring feelings like disengagement, then you most likely are already on the path of quiet quitting.
Do I feel like I can truly believe and represent the values being presented?
This might be a shocker, but a lot of people don’t even notice they they don’t believe in their company’s or organization’s values anymore. A tell-all sign can be as simple as making fun of a company slogan or joking about the core values, simply because you do not believe in them any more and want to distance yourself from it.
Do I have recurring patterns or thoughts that suggest feelings of disengagement?
Try to see if you are using phrases like ‘Never mind’ or ‘It doesn’t matter’. They are signs of not only disengagement but also of apathy. This can continue into negative self-talk like ‘No one cares anyway’ or ‘Whatever I do, it won’t be good enough’.
Ask for feedback from trusted mentors or colleagues. Sometimes we need to look at ourselves from someone else’s eyes. There is no better way to know if you are silent quitting than to ask someone who has known you since the moment you started working at your current workplace and ask if they feel you are different. However, you need to be ready for an honest answer and be open to a conversation - do not take anything they tell you as criticism, rather see it as a mirror that is now speaking to you for the purpose of evaluation.
Part 3: Overcoming Quiet Quitting
1. Acceptance. The most important step is already done after you determined that, in fact you are quiet quitting, or even debating quiet quitting. It can be very sobering to realize that a job that once excited you, or was a big part of your life and ignited your passion is now torn down to a minimum effort level. Never judge yourself because there is a valid reason you are feeling and behaving the way you are - and most likely by now you know why. Acknowledge and accept that you may be facing quiet quitting.
2. Self-reflection. Take the time to reflect on your career goals, values, and personal aspirations. Don’t force yourself to immediatelly clarify everything that is going on in your head right now. Give yourself time, but also make a deadline by which you would like to have some answers. This will help you to actively participate in finding what your career goals are now and how they might have changed in the last months or years. Reconnect with what truly drives you and align your career path with your core values. Explore ways to find meaning and fulfillment in your work.
3. Seek support. In this period it is important to openly communicate about your feelings and quiet quitting, as well as surround yourself with people who will have a positive influence on you. Speaking out will not only help you establish a support system, but will also make the topic accessible, demistify it and help you let go off inhibition. It is a crucial part of acceptance. Reach out to mentors, supervisors, or trusted colleagues who can offer guidance and support. Engage in honest conversations about your challenges and aspirations. Make sure that you are connecting with those people in your circle who will understand you, avoid judgement and who can actually contribute to this period of your life.
4. Explore options. Consider professional development opportunities, skill-building workshops, or even exploring new career paths that align better with your passions and goals. You should not remain in the quiet quitting phase and accept that this will just be a part of your life now. Work is means to ignite our passion, connect us with like-minded people and contribute to our life and dreams. If you have decided to stay in your job and career, you need to think of ways to reinvent your work and reignite that passion. Try thinking of why you started in the first place, allocate more time to connect with your colleagues, engage in new projects if possible or try to diversify your work. Maybe you need to allocate more time for yourself and our Work-Life Balance Coaching Program can help you there. If you have chosen to leave and change your job or career, now is the time to craft your CV, get those recommendation letters, participate in courses or workshops that might be relevant for your new career and start planing forward. Our Game Changer Coaching Program will give you time in one-on-one sessions to carefully consider your options, and layout a step by step plan to your new path.
5. Make a plan and stick to it. Once you decide on what option you want to go through with, develop a concrete plan to re-engage with your work or an Escape Plan which will give you motivation to stick it through until you move on to better opportunities. Set realistic goals (SMART goals are your best friend here), break them down into actionable steps, and hold yourself accountable for making positive changes. Sticking to a plan will boost your self-confidence and determination as well as force you to push through those potential low times when you don’t feel your best and want to back out and just go back to your comfort zone and dwell in the status quo. This is why it is always good to have a goal, and path or plan to get there.
“Research indicates that employees have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company”
The Truth About Quiet Quitting
Quiet quitting can have a significant impact on your professional and personal well-being. By recognizing the signs, reflecting on your values, seeking support, and taking proactive steps towards re-engagement, you can break free from the cycle of quiet quitting. Remember, it's never too late to make a change and find fulfillment in your career. Take control of your destiny and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
Always remember, quiet quitting is only good for you if you are aware of it and have a goal. Think about your goal and what you want to accomplish. If your goal is to make an ‘Escape Plan Tactic’ and eventually focus on creating new opportunities, at Ness Coaching, The Game Changer: Unlocking Your Dream Career covers the Escape Plan Tactic, along with giving you other tools and startegies that will propel you to a career worthy of your dreams. This Coaching Program is personalized to each client and is guided by Coach Ness in one-on-one sessions for a duration of 6 sessions, at the end of which you will feel confident, motivated and ready to take on the world!
If you want to stay in your current job and reignite that passion, the Ness Coaching program It's All About Balance: Mastering the Art of Work-Life Balance is perfect for you as it will give you the guidance you need to establish healthy boundaries, focus on your own life and regain control over your work and passion!
Remember, you have the power to shape your career path. Embrace change, explore new opportunities, and find the path that truly brings you fulfillment and helps you soar to new professional heights. Your Discovery Session is free of charge! Book a FREE Discovery Session and see how with one click your life can make a turn for the better!