Should I leave my job? I’m always amazed when people tell me that they have left their job or will be leaving their job without anything to go to or even an idea of what they want to do next. So many people give very little thought to major career decisions.Work is one of the most important parts of our lives and most of us forget that we probably spend more time with our colleagues in the office than we do at home with our family and friends. I always encourage people to think long and hard before making any major career decisions, normally I recommend allowing 3 – 4 weeks before throwing in the towel.
Very few people actually go to work and are satisfied and fulfilled with the job in hand which can make a huge difference to your frame of mind and to the way you feel.If you have decided that the time has come to move on to new things then the first question you should ask yourself is why you are looking for a new job. I would also recommend reading the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr Spencer Johnson, this will at least put things into perspective for you and is a great way to find out if the decision that you are making is a wise one.
You need to trust your own judgement. Anybody can advise you, and many will try to talk you out of it but you are the only one who can benefit from the advice and take action, so think it through carefully. Make sure that you are moving for all the right reasons. Make the wrong decision and you could be making a big mistake and run the risk of seriously damaging your career in the process. Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face. If you have had a disagreement with a colleague or client, always give yourself time to think things through and reflect on the bigger picture – these sorts of decisions should be taken with an analytical rather than emotional view.
The grass isn’t always greener. Greener grass is normally a result of a combination of good decision making and hard work. You need to look at the long term effects of your decision, not only at what you’ll be doing a few months, but a year or more down the line. What are the opportunities for progression and development, and how much more responsibility will you be able to take on?
Having clear goals is important. If you haven’t set yourself any personal goals or a 5 year plan – Do it. This gives you a reference point for where you should be along your career path. If you have been in a role for many years and haven’t progressed in terms of responsibility and pay, you need to ask yourself why you are standing still. That is the time to start thinking about moving on.