You\u2019ve probably heard the saying \u2018nobody likes a quitter.\u2019 We are encouraged, especially at work, to hang in there, to stay the course, to demonstrate our 100% commitment. That\u2019s often really good advice. I know a sales manager who tells his team: \u201cwhen you\u2019re ready to quit, that\u2019s the time to make 5 more calls.\u201d He says that very often those extra calls do generate sales.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, there\u2019s something to be said for finally mustering your courage to take a different path forward, to say \u2018enough is enough\u2019 to what isn\u2019t serving you now. Brene Brown, speaker and author of the bestseller, Daring Greatly<\/em>, says that it takes vulnerability and courage to say \u2018no\u2019, to leave something behind \u2013 a project, job a, relationship \u2013 that is no longer working and to start something new.<\/p>\n Curious thing, if you\u2019re like most professionals I\u2019ve worked with, you actually know<\/strong> it\u2019s time to leave long before you actually do anything about it. Starting something new \u2013 creating a new future – takes courage and daring to do what\u2019s most important to you instead of doing what everyone else thinks you\u2019re \u2018supposed\u2019 to do. And, if you\u2019re like most people, you are so busy, distracted and deluged on a daily basis with details, problems, meetings, and stakeholder demands that you don\u2019t make the time to consider if a change is in your best interest.<\/p>\n We know from psychology and neuroscience that we human beings don\u2019t particularly like change. We assess that the pain of staying in a less-than-ideal situation will be much less than the pain required to actually make a change. Often it\u2019s easier to ignore the external and internal messages warning us that we are heading off-course in life rather than to face the problem head on. You can bet, however, that warning signs too long ignored will eventually lead you to regret, exhaustion, burn-out or worse.<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re reading this, congratulations on considering a change. Here are 3 common warning signs that a change in direction might be needed:<\/p>\n Most professionals love to be challenged. They want to have their work contribute to the company and to matter.\u00a0\u00a0 They love to learn new skills, technologies and ways of approaching their work. If you feel that you have reached a learning plateau in your job – if you are bored or disengaged \u2013 that\u2019s definitely a sign that it\u2019s time for a change.\u00a0\u00a0 The question for you to consider is whether you have to leave your job or whether you can, instead, bring some new learning and engagement to your current job.<\/p>\n Maybe you don\u2019t want to switch professions or industries, but you assess there isn\u2019t much new to learn in your current job. Could you learn things related to your role that would also be of value to the company? Would it serve you and the company if you learned how to bring more innovation to your role or department? What if you learned another language to better serve another customer group?\u00a0\u00a0 What about leadership skills? Emotional intelligence? Ideation? Would learning a new skill in your company be more in line with who you are (like moving to marketing from accounting)?<\/p>\n And, if you\u2019ve really given this some serious consideration and have come to the conclusion that you are truly stuck in a dead-end job with no opportunities for new learning, then it\u2019s time to go!<\/p>\n What\u2019s your predominant mood or attitude at work? More often than not are you resentful? Resigned? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Stressed? What mood would your colleagues say you are in most of the time at work? What would your family say? Of course there will be moments in any job where you are frustrated or stressed, but if you (or your friends) can\u2019t remember the last time you were enthusiastic or optimistic or joyful at work, then it\u2019s a definite sign that change is needed.<\/p>\n If you are consistently without joy at work, look around for what might be the cause.\u00a0\u00a0 It might be fixable now that you\u2019re aware of it. It could be too much work or an uninteresting project or a toxic team member you can\u2019t get along with. By discussing this with your boss, you might be able to change the circumstances rather than having to leave. On the other hand if your department or organization is toxic \u2013 with uninspiring even sabotaging management – you are in a tough spot. No matter how optimistic or enthusiastic you are, you won\u2019t be able to sustain it if you are in an environment that doesn\u2019t foster it.<\/p>\n I am a huge advocate of doing work that is meaningful and fulfilling. Some of us find that in our paid work and others find it in our volunteer work. When you find purpose in whatever you do, you are more committed, engaged and satisfied.<\/p>\n Over the course of our lives, our purpose and passions may change. It is legitimate to question whether you want to spend your precious time and energy taking care of what your current organization wants to take care of. If you can honestly say that you can no longer get behind the mission or vision of the organization, then it\u2019s time for a change.<\/p>\n So, know that quitting is an option \u2013 it\u2019s a viable option. Closing a door or chapter in your life does take courage and vulnerability. Beginning something new, especially in the face of all the reasons your loved ones will give you for staying in an unsatisfying role or company or relationship, can be scary and bring uncertainty.<\/p>\n But this is your<\/em> life and your<\/em> future we\u2019re talking about<\/strong>. Are you really going to live by someone else\u2019s rules? Are you really going to let someone else design or decide how it goes for you?<\/p>\n Maybe, just maybe, it\u2019s time for that new beginning!<\/p>\n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Master Certified Coach and former CEO, Terrie works at the intersections of leadership and coaching to support her clients to develop new perspectives, practices and behaviors to achieve extraordinary results. Terrie welcomes your feedback and can be reached at terrie.lupberger@newfieldasia.com<\/u><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019ve probably heard the saying \u2018nobody likes a quitter.\u2019 We are encouraged, especially at work, to hang in there, to stay the course, to demonstrate our 100% commitment. That\u2019s often really good advice. I know a sales manager who tells his team: \u201cwhen you\u2019re ready…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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