Over the last few years, attitudes toward the workplace have begun to shift drastically. During the pandemic, many accountants and financial professionals had an opportunity to review their careers and ask themselves whether they were moving in the right direction.
Employees began to adjust their priorities, looking for more empathy, understanding, and flexibility from their employers. These team members also began to champion the concept of work/life balance more heavily, determining their work should only be one component of their lives.
Faced with increasing burnout and overwork, many financial professionals also began to disconnect from their jobs, becoming less motivated, inspired, and proactive. This process has been named “quiet quitting” – an act of gradually disengaging from the workplace.
So, what does it mean if you’re quiet quitting, and how can you rediscover the passion you once had for your career?
What is Quiet Quitting? An Introduction
Quiet quitting is the term used to refer to employees who essentially disengage from their current jobs, committing only to do the bare minimum to get a salary. Rather than being inspired and motivated by their work, these staff members do what is required without any real ambition to take the next step in their careers.
Notably, quiet quitters don’t leave the workforce. They still perform their duties but see their roles as a series of checklist tasks to be completed. They’re not focused on the future, becoming more productive, or doing their best work.
Largely, quiet quitting has emerged as a way to deal with burnout – a problem with increasing influence on the financial world. When team members feel overwhelmed, they pull back to focus on their health rather than the job at hand.
While this isn’t necessarily bad, as health is important in any career, staff are left standing still rather than progressively moving forward. Some key signs of quiet quitting include:
- Disengagement: You no longer go above and beyond in your role but do what you’re told and nothing else. You may not participate in group meetings or non-mandatory events and have little interest in your tasks.
- Lack of initiative: If you’ve stopped giving suggestions in meetings or taking the initiative on projects, this could be a sign of quiet quitting. You no longer look for solutions or strategies to make yourself a more valuable part of the team.
- Isolation: Quiet quitters often disconnect from the other employees in their workforce. They spend less time in informal conversations with co-workers and don’t try to form relationships with their colleagues.
- Negativity: You may no longer find joy and excitement in your role. Instead, you think of your job as nothing more than an opportunity for a salary. Your passion for the finance industry may start to disintegrate.
How to Revitalise Your Finance Career
Quiet quitting isn’t an effective way to invest in your future and career as a financial professional. While you may be able to hold onto your job for a while, you won’t stand out as an excellent employee or open the door for promotions. You also won’t progress toward the next stage of your career. This could lead to an overall level of dissatisfaction in your job.
So, how do you stop quiet quitting and revitalise your career?
1. Establish Work-Life Boundaries
As mentioned above, quiet quitting is often a response to being overworked and burned out. People begin to disconnect from their roles when they feel like they spend their entire life focused on work and nothing else. While investing in your job is important, it’s also crucial to make time for self-care and your personal life.
Setting boundaries with your manager about what you can and can’t do could help to reduce the risk of burnout. For instance, you might let your boss know you can only work “overtime” on certain days. It’s also worth communicating regularly with your supervisor about how much work you can take on and whether you’re beginning to feel overwhelmed.
When you’re not at work, it’s also crucial to switch off, which means turning off your notifications and disconnecting from the office as much as possible.
2. Work on Professional Growth
If you’re starting to feel stunted and uninspired by your current accounting career, a good option might be to start working on your skills and network. Investing in yourself from a professional standpoint not only makes you more effective at your job but also unlocks new opportunities.
Learning more about the finance landscape can give you an insight into the areas you’re most interested in, so you can focus on tasks that ignite your passion. It’s also a chance to rediscover new talents and strengths, which could allow you to apply for promotions.
Networking with other team members and people in the financial landscape can help too. This will help you form stronger bonds, making you feel happier and more involved with the workplace. Networking outside your company can also help you find other job opportunities when they present themselves.
3. Change Your Work Strategy
Sometimes, quiet quitting is a symptom of your current work strategy not working for your specific needs. You may have fallen into a routine that doesn’t allow you to access your highest levels of inspiration and motivation. For instance, you might find it easier to get through your tasks and maintain engagement when you tackle difficult jobs first.
You may also need to think about taking more breaks between challenging tasks so that you can refresh your brain. Taking breaks is an important way to preserve your mental health and reduce the risk of burnout. Make sure you’re giving yourself moments away from your tasks from time to time.
It can also help to adjust your mindset. Rather than seeing productivity as the number of hours you work, look at the outcomes you’re achieving. Celebrate the little wins you accomplish each day, and be proactive in finding new ways to demonstrate your value to your boss.
4. Consider a New Role
If you’re currently in the process of “quiet quitting”, and nothing you do seems to reignite your passion or engagement, it might be time to seek a new position. Disengaging from work is a sign you’re no longer happy in your current position. When this is the case, the best thing you can do is look into new opportunities.
Update your resume, highlighting the skills and accomplishments relevant to the types of roles you want to apply for in the finance sector. Reading other job descriptions can help you to tailor your applications to suit each business.
Working with a professional financial recruiter will also help you track down job opportunities that are relevant to not just your skills but also your values and expectations. Finding a job where you feel appreciated, challenged, and supported could reignite your love of finance.
Thanks
Rachel
About Rebus Financial Recruitment
Rebus Financial Recruitment provides a specialist and focused recruitment service to its customers, ranging from various organisations, including SMEs, to large PLCs.
We strive to offer both the client and candidate a seamless recruitment experience. Using our expertise, we get to the heart of employer and employee needs, and, in doing so, we match the two perfectly. Contact one of our team today to find out more, or you can call us on 01282 930930.
