Is your job a joke?

Is your job a joke? If so, and by this I mean a not-very-funny one at that, where you do more crying on a Sunday night or raging every Wednesday at 11.22 am rather than laughing or at least getting on with it all, then it is probably time for your transition to a new team. Or a new company. Or new industry. Or even a new career.

Career switches and side-hustles

There's been a lot of focus on the great career switch, which we are beginning to see play out as unfulfilled, undervalued and frankly, fed-up employees are making the move to pastures new.

Some workers are choosing a complete career change; they are retraining, setting up their own businesses, trialling secondments or even sabbaticals to give themselves time and space to discover what they really want to do for, in and at work.

Others have realised that it is time to move on and are therefore changing companies or even industries to get higher job satisfaction and better rewards.

Those who are progressing their own 'side hustles' into fully formed businesses to gain extra income or, with a view, to regaining control of their working lives by doing it on their own terms. Bring on that life-work balance (and it is that way around, folks - your life comes first!)

Is it time for a career change?

My questions to you are:

• Which one are you?
• How do you know when it is time to make a career change? 
• What are you going to do instead of what you do now?

You may have been toying with these questions for a while now - many of my clients come to me with these career queries because they believe that they are incapable of making a decision. Or they know deep down what they really want to do, yet they feel they lack the courage to make a seismic change.

Note: I have used the words 'believe' and 'feel' here - these are not facts for my clients but huge mental blocks getting in their way, which we commonly refer to as limiting beliefs.

I was waiting for the 'right time' before I left a small yet steady income to run my business full-time. I was waiting until I had a strong pipeline of clients coming, waiting until potential clients would be banging down my door in droves, until I knew I had six months of expenses covered. I would have been waiting a loooong time, as there is never the 'right' time to make such a change - it never magically appears -you make it the right time by being brave and going for it.

Is now the right time?

There are a few key questions you can ask yourself if you are struggling with this question:

1. What is causing your unhappiness at work?
   It may be obvious, but keep asking this question until you reach that deep, underlying reason - the real ‘why’ as to how you feel. This will also ensure that you don’t repeat similar patterns in your next role.
2. How long have you felt this way about work?
   So many people stay with a company too long; it is easy to keep giving it another chance, but find themselves still stuck there 5+ months later. For others, a knee-jerk reaction to difficulties sees them jumping from one role to the next. This question will highlight to you if this decision needs to be made now or if you need more time to assess your situation. It may be that you need some time off to recover rather than completely leave.
3. What would happen if you stayed?
   It’s natural to think of the negatives here, and for many clients it would be unthinkable to stay (bullying, harassment); however, if your main frustrations can be tackled and solved, it may be prudent to explore how to do this.
   What would you sacrifice if you left? The quick commute? The family healthcare plan? Extra annual leave? A great boss? Friends? Essentially - is there enough of the good stuff to keep you there?
4. What would you gain in leaving?
   This is a more positive take on the above question and works a treat for people who have been with their current company for a long time. They begin to see that a fresh start has many benefits and is not as scary as initially thought.
5. Have you fully explored every option with your current employer?
   Clients often allow their negative thoughts and feelings to fester rather than be open with their employer. Sometimes they fear negative repercussions; however, more often than not, having an honest discussion, their current situation can be improved, enabling them to stay on and be happy.
6. Can you afford to quit?
   If you are moving to a similar role, then ideally you want 3-6 months of living expenses as a cushion whilst you look for another role. If you are making a significant career change which involves retraining or starting your own business, you will want at least 12 months' worth of expenses to ensure your start-up costs are easily accessible. Get really clear on your financial situation and consider your current package when comparing it with alternatives. Consider seeking independent financial advice if you're unsure about the financial implications of making a career change.
7. Is now the right time to go?
   If you are facing an intolerable situation, then you most likely have time to take things slowly. I retrained whilst I was still working before setting up my business and then worked part-time until it was more established. Set a few deadlines of when you want to leave by and when you want to be in your next role so that you remain on track. However, don’t put yourself under any undue pressure.
8. How are you stopping yourself from making this decision?
   For most of us, we know what to do - we have that ‘gut feeling’; however, our safe brains often get in our way (“it’s too much of a risk”), or our emotions stop us (“think of all of your friends at work”). This decision needs to work for you - now and for your future.

Only you can make this decision; however, you may find it useful to work with a career coach to help you navigate the leaving process and decide what you want to do next.

Whatever you decide, remember that staying is a choice and so is leaving. Taking time to ask yourself the right questions can help you make a decision that feels right, not just for today, but for your future as well. Oh - and it should be fun too!