So You Want To Leave Your Job?

So, you’re thinking about leaving your job. Or, at the very least, you’re thinking about thinking about leaving. Well, you aren’t alone. I’ve seen estimates of anywhere between 25-35% of workers looking for a new job on any given day.

And it’s probably safe to say a much higher percentage would LIKE to leave their jobs. In fact, according to a recent ADP study of mid-sized companies cited by Bloomberg News, about 2 out of 3 employees are open to leaving.

More freedom to change now

Unlike earlier times when people stayed with one company for life, it’s no longer a sin to jump around. People change jobs much more frequently. Sometimes because the company gives them no choice. But more often, simply because they want to find something better.

And certainly, there are many good reasons people think about change. Perhaps it’s about career growth. Or more money. Less travel time. More benefits. Or just finding work that better matches your skills or interests.

So, helped by the greater cultural acceptance of leaving your job, people are more likely to take action. And if by leaving your job you can find any or all of what you want somewhere else, wuhoo! Congratulations!

Here’s the reality check

But what all this movement means on a larger scale, is that many of you will wind up in OPJ’s—Other Peoples’ Jobs. For whatever reason, these are the jobs someone else didn’t want any more. Excited by possibility, job seekers often forget this part. Hmmm … why did they leave?

Of course, this new job could turn out to be the greatest thing since sliced sushi for some of you (I hope so). I believe that when conditions are right, you need to start looking. No one should feel trapped by a job.

BUT … as my many years of reader comments showed me, a surprisingly large number wind up with less than they hoped for. And, after time passes, some of the very same problems you faced in the old job may begin to pop up.

“Oh no!” You’ll say. “How did that happen?”

So how DID that happen?

Well, let’s see. It could be just bad luck. Or a curse on your family, perhaps? Maybe it’s karmic energy? Any of these might be possible, but they’re probably not the real answer.

More likely, the real reason is a complex picture framed by who you are at work and how you relate to your job. And you’ll need a zoom lens to get a clear focus on it, which is what this site is all about.

Please know that this is not about blame or fault. This is about learning how we humans operate. And finding ways to use that to help improve your work life, wherever you are.

Leaving your job not always the answer

As a species, we are extremely clever. We create some amazingly compelling reasons for everything, including the need to leave a job. And we can concoct solid, convincing arguments that no one can argue with (most of all ourselves) to back up those reasons.

How do I know this? Well, there are ten years worth of comments from my other career blogs, But earlier in my career, I did it quite expertly myself.

Whenever I wanted to leave a job. I could prove to anyone that a certain job just wasn’t right for me. And that I would be much better served to move on. In fact, I could convince myself that if I didn’t move on, I would be denying my God-given right to happiness, justice, and the American way.

What I found instead

The truth is I wasn’t being completely honest with myself as to my real motivations to leave a job. And more often than not, I found the exact same annoying problems in the new jobs.

It took me a long time to realize how much of the dissatisfaction I was creating myself. Not purposefully, of course, but simply by being majorly focused on the wrong things. And not knowing how to dial them down.

And so, before you take the “leaving your job” leap, let’s look a little deeper at your reasons for wanting to leave. You may find things you can do now that can help your entire career. Even if you do wind up leaving.

Some articles with tips to help

Real Problem (Maybe) If Your Job Feels Wrong

How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!

Workplace Solutions: The Whole vs The Parts

How To Change Your Job Without Quitting

 

Trapped In a Job You Can’t Stand?

7 Reasons We Stay In Bad Jobs

When Emotions Take Over In the Workplace

Job Morphing: 20 Ways You Can Improve Your Job and Career

 

Why Do I Always Pick the Wrong Job?

5 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Hate Your Job

Do You Feel Invisible at Work?

My Boss Tries To Control Everything!

 

And just in case you do need to leave

⇒   How To Quit a Job (Without Hurting Yourself)