5 Signs Your Career is Going Better Than You Think

Even when things at work seem smooth and stable, it’s common to feel a gnawing sense that you’re not quite where you want to be in terms of your career. Part of this stems from the perfectionism inherent to high achievers, while “imposter syndrome” can be another culprit of career anxiety. But before you start beating yourself up for your work performance, give your professional history an objective once-over. If any of these 5 signs of success apply to you, you’re on the right track.

1. You’re excited to go to work.

Obviously, no one is excited to head to the office every single day. “Sunday Scaries” exist for the career-content and the career-disappointed alike But if you typically look forward to a new work week and feel invigorated by the tasks on your professional agenda, that’s a strong indication that you’re good at what you do.

“If you dread going to work in the morning and are sluggish when you're there as a result, chances are you're not doing your best work. But if you're enthusiastic, energetic and happy, chances are what you're producing will be a reflection of that,” Bustle explains.

2. You seek out new opportunities to learn.

When asked to offer career advice to young employees, former General Electric vice chair Beth Comstock told LinkedIn: “The first thing you have to say to people is: Make room for discovery. If I manage myself, I manage a team, I manage a division, there's a certain amount of your budget, your time, and your people that need to be focused on what's next. I think usually 10% is a pretty good way to think about it.”

3. You reliably meet deadlines and budgets.

If your colleagues can consistently count on you to complete tasks on time and to adhere to agreed-upon budgets, you’re in good shape on the career front. Not only is it important to respect deadlines and budgets in the vast majority of positions, but building trust among your coworkers and establishing yourself as a person who gets things done are equally-crucial benchmarks.

4. You receive frequent feedback from your boss.

According to The Muse, “[frequent feedback means that] you’re performing so well that now your boss wants to give you the tools, resources, and constructive criticism you need to become even better. You’ve set the bar high for yourself, and now it’s your manager’s job to continue challenging you.”

5. You’ve learned when and how to say “no."

Career success and being a “yes person” don’t necessarily come as a package deal. Professionals with enviable careers know how to assert their boundaries with their bosses; the key is to position a “no” response in a positive light.

For example, if you’re dealing with a loaded work schedule and your boss attempts to toss another task onto the pile, workplace expert Lynn Taylor recommended the following response to Business Insider: