Should you stay or go? Weighing up career & job decisions

Are you weighing up whether to stay or leave your current job or company? Or are you considering a total change of career direction? ?

Then this newsletter will help you look at what’s important to consider and the elements that matter in your personal decision process.

Firstly know you are so not alone in questioning whether to stay or leave and feel conflicted.? Indeed millions toss and turn with these questions keeping professionals awake at night.?

Irrelevant of gender, age, occupation or geography, feeling stuck in a pot of indecision impacts widely and more now for many over 40.

But there is no better starting point than with courage to ask yourself the honest and hard questions – and to allow yourself to answer without judgement.???

Self-protection, fear and delusion are some of the biggest causes of career misery and indecision. So in your quietest moments be reflective and listen to the competing voices by being honest with yourself.?

And check into your “WHY” you do what you do, why you make the decisions at the core of your self – dig down hard and have a hearty review of your career profile brand. ?

Head, Heart & Gut

In asking and answering these questions be aware of the 3 ways we process information in the?Head, Heart & Gut.??

Our?Head?is full of financial, cold commercial type data. Our?Heart?is full of the human relationships, how we impact others etc.?

And our?Gut?is where the gold lies to connect what is our truth and knowing.?

Unfortunately most people ignore their Gut with detrimental results.?Listen and “feel” how your gut responds in any situation/question.

Most professionals and executives?want?similar things from their?careers to a greater or lesser extent.?90% of people I interviewed when I ran a recruitment agency shared they?want to be happy, challenged, be respected, learn, be inspired with good managers and?opportunities etc.

Evaluation questions:

But that’s just “top line” – what does challenge look like for YOU,?what does a good manager look like for YOU ??

I assure you that everyone has their own bespoke reality of those answers.?Dig deeply for your personal reality as you need to define every element before you evaluate where you are at.

1. Do I make a difference?
2. Am I challenged?
3. Am I trusted and respected?
4. Am I paid well /fairly?
5. Are my ideas encouraged and implemented?
6. Do I actually enjoy the work I do / the industry?
7. Are there pathways for development?
8. Does the job align with my future goals?
9. Did expectations = reality (of a new job/company)
10. Do I feel involved in the business?
11. Am I appreciated and valued?
12. Do I have a good?mentors to encourage you and learn from?
13. Is the environment positive or negative?
14. Have my values and priorities changed and hence career direction?

Rationalise, Justify, Reassure

Now let’s take?evaluation?up a notch (and yes a little uncomfortable) to get real clarity if it’s a Yes or No. ??Do you constantly try to?rationalise, justify & re-assure?yourself and others about your current career and job situation?

Notice when someone is over explaining or extenuating their reasons, a little voice in us goes 'hmm, something doesn’t feel right here, I don’t trust this'.

If you constantly?rationalise, justify and reassure yourself (and others) about the reasons you stay in your current job or a career which is miserable it's a wake up signal.

As you observe this behaviour you are well on your way if not already to obtain clarity and your answer whether your you should stay, leave or change direction.

And if you decide it’s time to leave or change careers you will need to powerfully crank up your strategy, career profile and LinkedIn presence.

Once the decision is made, action is needed with a confident but proactive marketing and positioning focus.

You only have one life and misery and lack of joy isn't a fun place for yourself, friends or family. Really embrace what gives you joy and be brave to follow it.

If you are ready to make a change to find a new role, change careers or even start your own consultancy lets chat. Head over to the Careers & Job Search Services.

About

Sue Parker is the owner of DARE Group Australia.??She is a communications, profile marketing and career strategist and job search coach.

Sue works with executives and mid-career professionals in both private and public sectors. She also works with knowledge based small businesses and consultants.

A well regarded media contributor she contributes to various publications and appeared on TV and radio segments with bold and witty opinions Portfolio here

Contact Sue sparker@daregroupaustralia / www.daregroupaustralia.com.au