It’s a simple fact of life: we will never be 100% happy with the job we are in. There will always be issues of some sort. A client may back out of your contract because they may not understand what is going on; you may be staying at work a lot later than you wish, only to be up and back at it the next morning without rest; a customer may take issue with a policy; another may rob you at gunpoint.

These are only a few possible reasons out of the trillions that I just thought of that could lead you to experience a level of dissatisfaction with your job. Sometimes that dissatisfaction can show itself through you, perhaps by your performance, your demeanor, or maybe the things you say without thinking. That feeling can be that strong, and can lead to those around you to question your contentment with your job, including the bosses.

Of course, I wouldn’t be writing about this unless I had just learned that this very situation was unfolding within the last 24 hours.

Its nothing new, especially as seen through this site, that I have been searching for that next step in my career, highlighting what I’ve seen throughout the recruitment process. We should always strive for that next big move, whether within the company we’re currently in or beyond. As mentioned before, our emotions can and often do get the better of us, displaying something that others will interpret as “unhappy”.

Quite frankly, maybe we are for good reason. But when a manager approaches with the question “are you happy”, or you hear rumors or updates from meetings that the bosses are asking that very thing, you may think “it’s over; they know”.

How can you overcome it? Exercise some humility and pick up the phone (and, to be safe, update your resume).

That’s what I did. I called my boss, went over the details of my frustrations, declared to continue to learn and give 110% for as long as I’m there, and asked if we could regroup and figure out how we can make things a little easier for myself and family.

Will things work out in my favor? Probably nowhere near 100%. Closer to 60% sounds accurate.

But I showed the initiative and humility to be vulnerable by explaining my frustrations and how they effect my life at home, by understanding the changing dynamics of the situation at work, and redeclaring my desire to work hard and keep learning.

Whether you are happy or not, if you keep having their back to the best of your ability, the right leaders will will keep having yours to the best of theirs.