You say the job is killing you. Here are some questions to help
you assess your situation clearly before you chuck it all.
What happened, you or them?
Somewhere along the line
things changed. Your role shifted. Your work became redundant.
Your boss became unbearable. Your co-workers don’t respect you
anymore. Something started looking different. How much of this
is due to other people and what is your responsibility? Is the
problem all work-related or have you experienced changes in your
personal life? Determine the weak links, because wherever they
are, if you don’t identify them and correct them now, you’ll
bring those problems with you to your next job.
Do you
know your strengths and weaknesses?
If the problem
centers with you, then before you decide on a career change, go
to counseling, hire a coach, or do what it takes for you to
regain your confidence and be able to make a clear, reason-based
decision. You can’t afford to be one of the walking wounded at
this job or in looking for new work. If you try to pass yourself
off as passionate and ready for new opportunities, then you will
likely show up as inauthentic. It’s time to do an assessment of
your strengths and weaknesses - behaviorally and in transferable
skills. Sit down. Write them out. Undervaluing as well as
over-inflating yourself and your capabilities does a disservice
to your job search. Accurately assess the expertise you bring to
this field or any new field you’re considering.
What do
you want?
If you don’t clearly visualize your ideal work,
you’ll always be treating symptoms of a deeper pain of
dissatisfaction. What excites you? Where do you shine? What are
your high-priority values? What do you prefer but could live
without? What do you absolutely want in your work type and work
environment?
What would you be giving up?
Assess
your pain quotient. No one else can do that for you. Your
current gripes may have caused you to lose touch with what
benefits the job held in the first place. Make a list of
positives and negatives to rate your job experience. It’s
important to know what you’ll be giving up or, if you stay, what
you’ll change to stop the pain. Weigh the positives against any
risks in not being able to replace them in new work.
Will
you jog or sprint to the exit door or avoid it altogether?
If you have decided it’s worth staying where you are, what’s
possible to change? You might be able to offload or share
undesired duties, such as extensive business travel, late night
or weekend work. Set up talk time with your supervisor to make
changes and lay out a recommended plan of how it can still work
well without you doing it. If you can hire your own assistants,
then do it. If you’ve decided to leave the job, be sure your
resources are in place and you can cope with a temporary lack of
security. Devote this time to reevaluating your needs and laying
out a clear job search action plan. However, if you have a low
threshold for uncertainty, or can’t permit a break in income,
line up a new job that meets all your criteria first.
With any of these choices to stay, go now or leave later,
you’ll need patience to accept the transition time. Yet, isn’t
it worth it to know you’re the one creating the opportunity for
more fulfilling work?
About the Author:
Thinking of leaving your job? Here are the important issues to
weigh. Not sure you shouldn’t stay and work out the problems?
Measure the risks against the benefits. For complimentary
coaching and free coaching tools:
http://www.creatingatwill.com