Even the most dedicated professionals can drift off at work course without realizing it.
The shift happens gradually: first your missed deadlines become normal, then you start making mistakes at work and notice feedback feels increasingly critical, and later, work that once energized you now feels like a burden.
These are warning signs that you might be getting off-track at work, and there's a high chance that you might be getting fired (sorry!).
You should recognize these warning signals early before having to have difficult conversations with your boss.
Here are five concrete signs that your performance may be slipping and what you can do about each one.
When your manager suddenly wants daily updates or schedules extra one-on-ones, they're likely concerned about your poor performance. This increased oversight often signals that trust has eroded or deliverables aren't meeting expectations.
Pay attention to the questions being asked during these meetings. If they focus on basic tasks rather than strategic initiatives, your manager may be micromanaging because they're worried about your execution.
When you notice that your manager keeps an eye on you more than the usual, schedule a direct conversation with your manager about their concerns and expectations. Come prepared with a written plan showing how you'll track progress on key projects and when you'll provide updates. Share your weekly plan and report proactively every Monday morning to rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability.
Being excluded from meetings you previously attended is a clear warning sign that your input is no longer valued. This shift often happens when colleagues lose confidence in your contributions or when leadership questions your judgment.
Watch for patterns: Are you missing strategy sessions but still invited to status updates? This suggests you're being moved from decision-maker to implementer—a demotion in influence even if your title hasn't changed.
When this happens.. start by delivering exceptional work on your current assignments to rebuild credibility. Consider strengthening your communication skills to ensure your contributions land with impact.
A shrinking workload or assignment to routine tasks signals that leadership may be testing whether you're essential. This reallocation often precedes restructuring or indicates that you're being managed out.
The shift might be subtle—your stretch assignments go to peers, new projects bypass you, or you're asked to document processes rather than improve them. These changes suggest your manager is preparing for your potential absence.
Being pushed out typically follows a pattern: first comes reduced responsibility, then isolation from team decisions, followed by impossible deadlines or vague performance complaints.
If you recognize this pattern, take immediate action. Request a performance review to get feedback in writing, and get to have a career conversations with your manager.
Constructive feedback is essential for growth, but when it turns consistently negative or disappears altogether, you're likely facing a performance perception problem. Vague criticism like "you need to be more strategic" without specific examples suggests your manager has already written you off.
Equally concerning is radio silence—when your manager stops providing any feedback, they may have given up on your development. This disengagement often means they're already planning your transition out.
How to tell if you are being set up to fail at work? Being set up to fail looks like receiving impossible deadlines, inadequate resources, or contradictory instructions that guarantee poor outcomes. Your manager might assign you projects outside your expertise without support, then criticize the predictable struggles.
Chronic disengagement and low motivation often signal that you're psychologically checking out before physically leaving. When Sunday nights fill you with dread and Monday mornings require enormous effort just to show up, your subconscious may be telling you something important.
This energy drain affects performance, creating a downward spiral: low motivation leads to mediocre work, which generates negative feedback, further crushing your engagement. Breaking this cycle requires immediate intervention.
Watch if you're showing these behaviors: procrastinating on routine tasks, avoiding colleagues, calling in sick more frequently, the working environment feels toxic beyond repair, or feeling angry about minor workplace irritations. These symptoms suggest you're emotionally exhausted and need to make changes.
Your body often knows before your mind does. Persistent headaches, sleep disruption, or digestive issues connected to work stress are signals that your current situation is unsustainable.
To practice self-motivation, start small by identifying one aspect of your role that still interests you and invest extra effort there. Success in even a small area can restart positive momentum and remind you of your capabilities.
Recognizing these warning signs early gives you an opportunity to act fast and rebuild your credibility at work before you're set to be fired.
Here are what you can do: