We’ve all struggled with our motivation to go to work from time to time – the alarm goes off and you feel like you’re stuck in ground hog day. In fact, until we’ve had our coffee, it’s as if the human race hasn’t evolved at all (she speaks from experience!). But what if it’s more than that? What if that heavy sense of dread about work follows you everywhere you go? Does that mean it’s time to leave your job?
You’d think a job that makes us feel awful would be easy to leave, but for many of us it’s not the case. Either we feel it’s impossible to find something better, or we worry that if we leave, we’ll end up in a worse position than we are in now. Here’s the first thing I’ve learned: no job is ever worth your health. In fact, nothing is! Yet our need for financial survival constantly gets the best of us. Let’s face it – the human race is hard wired to crave stability.
At Everest People we hear a variety of reasons why people feel they “have” to stay in their jobs. The most common being “I’m not sure what I want to do (can do/am skilled to do), but I know I’m not happy” (insert any other feeling here such as engaged, motivated, satisfied, enjoy the people I work with… and the list goes on). Therefore, they are prepared to stay, be miserable and wait until something magical happens. Worse still they are prepared to stay at work and share their misery with others who are indeed enjoying their jobs. Here’s the next thing I’ve learned: you’re a long time dead and if you’re not happy in your job, then make some change. Now.
If you’re teetering on the edge, here’s a simple 4 step plan to help you assess whether it’s time to take the leap.
Firstly, figure out whether you’re staying just for the sake of it. If you’re working 90 hours a week then perhaps it’s a no-brainer to leave your job. However, if you’re too comfortable, coasting, sitting on auto-pilot then it’s probably time for a reality check. Sit down, write up your pros and cons and make a fair assessment. Try and keep emotion in check.
Next, get real about what’s super important to you! To work out your priorities you need to really break things down into rational benefits. Ask yourself questions like – what does work/life balance actually look like to me? How much might I give up to achieve that? Am I willing to take a pay cut to achieve my priorities?
Then…do your research – make connections. This is where your great detective skills come in handy – where do you want to work, what culture and values are important to you, who do you know that can help you discover new opportunities. Write up a list and start arranging coffee dates….in the mornings! Get out there and start letting the market know you’re seeking change and ask for help.
Lastly ask yourself – what are the costs to staying in the comfort zone? Here’s a biggie for the more senior readers amongst us – at some point you will lose marketability. 10 years in the same job can actually work against you at times. On the flip side, if you’ve stayed in the same job you’ve possibly built up some perks that can very hard to let go. How happy are those perks making you? Staying in your comfort zone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re comfortable.
So – ask yourself the hard questions right now – are you truly happy in your career? The job you carry out? Are you doing time because it’s easier than challenging the status quo? Take time to reflect on these questions and consider whether there is an alternative that will make a huge difference to you and your family.
Senga Allen | Managing Director