Ieuan Williams, Director at Mane Consulting wrote an article for news.com.au

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IF YOU dread Monday morning and you’re the smartest person in the room, then you should probably quit.

THERE are heaps of reasons why people leave their jobs. But while a few leave too soon and miss out on that promotion, most of us stay too long.
We always hope that tomorrow will be different without taking any action ourselves and the most common thing that holds us back is fear. We are often willing to trade our happiness and stay with a job we hate out of fear of the unknown.
Here are six signs that you’ve stayed in your job too long.

1. MONDAY MORNING DREAD

Remember when you used to skip to work on a Monday morning as you couldn’t wait to get started? No? Well, surely you will remember not dreading coming to work? OK good.
If you start worrying about work in your leisure and family time then this is likely to be the result of stress. You should take action by discussing this with colleagues and your boss.
If it continues and it affects your relationships outside of work then you need to leave. Much is written on the dangers of stress to both sexes of all ages. Is your next deadline worth it?

2. STALE

You’ve worked at the same place for a while, you know everyone and you know your job inside out. This is great for some, but it could be the beginning of complacency for others.
Getting too comfortable can open the door to you being outpaced by someone with new ideas and fresh approaches. If nothing new has happened in your role and you are stuck in a routine, you run the risk of becoming stale.
Remember at some point in time you will be competing for roles against the rest of the market, not just inside your own company. Finding a job where the challenge excites you each day could be the answer.

3. YOUR PASSION HAS GONE

A quote by Simon Sinek, author of management books such as Start with Why and a regular presenter of TED Talks, is — “Working hard for something you don’t care about is called stress, working hard for something we love is called passion.”
When did you stop caring? Can you find your mojo again in your current work environment?
Assess and evaluate how passionate you are about your role regularly. You know what you can offer an employer, but are you passionate enough to show all you’ve got in your current role?

4. IF YOU ARE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM … YOU’RE IN THE WRONG ROOM

Take a look around your office. Be realistic about your own abilities and experience for a moment, and ask yourself: how much can I learn from my colleagues?
For some this may feel way out of your comfort zone, for others (and you know who they are!) this level of self-confidence is normal. Include your boss and others higher in the hierarchy during this exercise.

Now ask: if I were to start my own business tomorrow, how many of these guys would I want to pay?
Now you have your answer as to whether you are the smartest in the room or not.
We are product of our environment, and if yours is holding you back on achieving your potential it might be time to see if there is a smarter room elsewhere.

5. YOU HAVE STOPPED BELIEVING IN YOUR COMPANY

Whether you work for small, medium or large organisation, what your company stands for and the direction it is heading is all important. Did you join a business that stood for quality but now stands for value? Or do the realities not live up to what was promised to you at interview?
Change is inevitable in business, but will having the name of your current business on your CV have a negative effect on your employment opportunities in a year?

6. YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BOSS HAS BROKEN DOWN

Having a positive relationship with your superior is imperative, but what happens when that relationship goes sour?
That connection goes astray when one party loses trust in the other. It could be a boss not delivering on a promise or a subordinate not delivering on a task.
Your boss is human (probably) and emotions play a part in their decision making. Unless you are in a results orientated industry such as sales where your success does the talking on a tangible level, your relationship with the boss is vital for your engagement levels and progression.

Hoping your boss leaves is too risky and offers no guarantees. Even if you do outlive your boss your reputation may have already suffered too much due to that poor relationship.
Perceptions are the office reality despite how unfair it may seem. It might be time to cut your losses and look for a fresh start.

Ieuan Williams is a senior leader within the recruitment industry.