Should You Stay or Should You Go? Are You Trapped by Your High Salary?

This is a question many of us grapple with for months, years, or even decades. As a career coach, I frequently hear executives refer to the term ‘golden handcuffs’—that feeling of being tied to a job or lifestyle that no longer brings happiness but provides status and financial stability.

If the term golden handcuffs resonates with you, chances are you’ve spent countless hours lamenting your situation, feeling trapped by the financial and emotional security it offers. There are moments of hope, like when you’re on vacation, where you allow your mind and heart to imagine life without the self-imposed shackles. You feel free, excited, and hopeful—only to return to work and slip back into the rat race, allowing fear to dictate your choices. And so, you revert to a comfortable lifestyle, all while discomfort simmers beneath the surface.

These feelings often persist because of a lack of clarity about the path forward. I encourage you to dig deeper and explore these questions to find clarity around your decision to stay or go. After reflecting on these questions, you can confidently say that you’ve considered this pivotal decision with depth and intention.

Questions to Consider: Take some quiet, unencumbered time to reflect and write down your answers.

1. Do you wake up energized to go to work? Why or why not?
2. How is your mental and physical health? Is your work affecting it? How is your current situation impacting your family and friends? What benefits could following your passion bring to you and your loved ones?
3. What legacy do you want to leave? What example do you want to set for your children about the life you led?
4. If a friend or family member were in your position, how would you coach them through the question: Should I stay or should I go?
5. You’ve been successful in your current role. What positive traits could you amplify in a new position?
6. Are there people in your organization ready to excel in the role you no longer enjoy?
7. What’s the worst that could happen if you make a change? What steps can you take to mitigate this risk?
8. Are you giving yourself the chance to visualise the life you want? Remember, focus goes where energy flows.
9. Visualize your life five years from now. Describe the scene if you stay put, and then describe the scene if you explore new possibilities.
10. What legacy do you want to leave? (Yes, it’s worth asking again.) What example do you want to set for your children about the life you led?
11. During times of change, it’s crucial to have a strong support network. Who will be your supporters?
12. Are you approaching this decision with a scarcity mindset or an abundant mindset? What do you stand to gain by making a change?
13. Could engaging a career coach help you work through your next steps?
14. Are you being gentle with yourself, acknowledging that letting go can be hard? Are you honoring those feelings and then stepping back to view your thoughts as if you were a third person, gaining perspective?

Live your life by design rather than by chance.

If you're ready to break free from the golden handcuffs and design a life that truly aligns with your values and aspirations, I invite you to take the next step. My coaching sessions are here to help you navigate this pivotal moment with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Let’s work together to create the life you envision.

You’ve got this! Are you ready to begin?