Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Wouldn’t life be so much easier if it gave us clues when it’s time to change like Peter Brady’s voice? How can you tell when the time has come to change your work situation?
Frustration
- Do you feel disengaged in your current role?
- Are you unable to use your skills and strengths in your job?
- Do you feel like you’ve plateaued and there is no clear path for advancement?
- If the answers are yes, is the situation likely to improve?
Toxicity
- Do you get the Sunday Scaries?
- Is your workplace full of negative energy?
- Are you micromanaged?
- Is there a lack of communication between leadership and individual contributors?
- Does your manager expect you to follow their instructions even if they are unethical?
- Do you feel harassed?
- These are signs of a toxic environment. How toxic does your work culture have to be before you leave it?
Control
- Do you have autonomy over the work you do?
- Do you feel adequately valued and paid for your contributions?
- Do you have multiple managers who communicate with each other regarding your workload?
- Are your boundaries around work-life integration respected?
- When you present your managers with documentation of your high performance, do you receive positive incentive to perform even higher?
- If the answers are no, is it time to look for a new work situation?
Persistent dissatisfaction indicates you need some kind of change. Figuring out what that change is requires introspection, self-awareness, and a willingness to take action. Prioritize your well-being, financial stability, and long-term goals, then try these steps.
Options: Before making any decisions, take time to assess your capabilities, define what kind of work you want to do, and how you envision your future. Research potential job opportunities and consider how they align with those three things. Use your network to discover what possibilities are available and to help you make connections. Do the research on your personal devices and on your own time. Also, be discreet about whom in your network you trust with your inquiries.
Finances: Health insurance and retirement plans are a thing, y’all. If your current job offers these benefits, weigh the financial implications of leaving against the potential benefits of changing employers. Can you make a move within your organization? Since you’ve done a self-assessment (see the paragraph above) can you craft your own job description that fills current staffing gaps, allows you to work with a new team, and retains your benefits?
Side Gigs: A side gig is both a creative outlet and an opportunity for skill development. Before going public, make sure it doesn’t conflict with your primary job responsibilities or violate any employment agreements. If your side gig shows potential, maybe it’s your next full-time gig. Think critically before transitioning to self-employment. Do you have enough savings to pay your bills for a year? Is there demand for what you do? Is the forecast for that demand positive for the next 5-10 years? Will you grow to hate your side gig if you have to do it for a living?
What would cause you to consider a change? Please share in the comments.