Many of us experience a moment where we struggled to move forward. We may have perceived that something vital had shifted. We hang on to a role that does not suit us.
“The only thing a person can ever really do is keep moving forward. Take that big leap forward without hesitation, without once looking back. Simply forget the past and forge toward the future.” ― Alyson Noel
In many cases, the warning signs that it is time to change your career plans are entirely missed or ignored. It may feel disconcerting if you are not successful in a linear career progression. However, it is a significant opportunity for you to take control. You can build a career that is uniquely tailored to your strengths, needs, and interests. Often overwritten by our dismissive inner monologue. We find this uncertainty to be troublesome. The situation could become damaging.
However, we stay
Long after it is time to leave.
"There are two types of pain you will go through in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces, while regret weighs tons." — Jim Rohn
Some when they could no longer take it, lash out in ineffective and unhealthy ways. In other words, they let outside things and poor behaviour do their work for them.
After years of catching stories of jobs that do not fit and even worse bosses, I hold a strong view that career changes are an inevitable occurrence for all of us. They are necessary. I advocate that you embark in the process of ongoing exploration of the alternatives, so you do not miss the available opportunities.
Career transition has shifted from climbing the corporate ladder to climbing the corporate lattice. People are intrigued that by going sideways, they are advancing their career. There are many opportunities to change your job and make a career pivot without leaving your organization.
The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity.” — Ayn Rand
Building your talent stack — knowledge, skills, accomplishments, wisdom and behavioural traits, is the essence of advancing your career. Consider a career pivot to learn more skills and get knowledge. With lateral moves, you change roles within the same company. You will gain new experience a new work environment. Moreover, you continue to build your tenure, credibility, and network in the company.
Not unlike sunrises or sunsets, we can count on these changes. However, if we learn to accept these inflection points as something new and positive, we will be much further ahead. For example, learn strategies to capitalize on the temporary destabilization. Of course, life, family and finances must be considered carefully. I do not advocate impulsive actions that leave you in a crisis.
The payoff may be well worth the journey — your endpoint that is aligned, adaptive and affirming. When we muster the energy to move on and pursue a better fit, it is often for the best. A delay can become expensive in a currency that we rarely consider. These are transitions are not life sentences after all. If we can accept changes in styles, markets, and devices, why is it so difficult to embrace the evolution of our careers?
Some beliefs convince us to acquiesce our power and stay put. I want you to challenge this inner talk seriously.
We are conditioned to “hang on” and forgo the risk
Some of us were raised to believe we should stay at a job no matter what. However, "in place" improvement is possible, a manager may move on, you could lead a project team, etc. Moreover, often, forgoing risk in the short-term is not the best option.
What we fail to acknowledge: Often, the psychological contract that serves as the baseline for a healthy employee-employer relationship, has already been irrevocably broken. When we do not recognize this and remain, we risk being mentally absent at work, while being physically present.
We secretly hope that everything in our lives remains static
A change will happen. So, our predisposition to the status quo, causes us to be disappointed at every turn. Complicating things further, we are infamously inaccurate about how we evolve.
How often do we stop to envision our “future self”? Truth: The roles that fulfill us now, may not be the same roles that might excite us five years on. As Daniel Gilbert has shared: Your history does not end today. (Learn more about the “End of History Illusion” in Gilbert’s TedTalk.)
We feel that seeking a role which better aligns with our needs/strengths is frivolous
On some level, many of us think this quest is a “pie in the sky” mantra. So, we avoid the entire conversation. With that neglect, we also leave any hope of a better choice even in our current organization. (Yes, we must be mindful of our responsibilities. Yes, the culture of an organization can also stand in the way.)
When we are early in our career, for example, we might feel that we are glued to our college major or the path of our first role. We think a pivot is irresponsible. Much is left unsaid and undone. As the gap widens between who we are and what we do — everyone loses.
We should be ready and willing to embrace how we change. Adopt a dark horse mindset where you:
- discover your micro-motives
- are open to opportunities that need your micro-motives
- develop and implement strategies to build your talent stack to take advantage of the opportunities
- do not focus on the destination; your focus is on gradient ascent (your journey)
When you understand your behavioural DNA, you know the strengths to use and the gaps that must be managed. Moreover, organizations should encourage and help its exploration. This approach can be carried out through heightened awareness in the employee development plan and the ladder of leadership.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin
Build your career capital, and look forward to each new challenge. Be excited about your future in spite of the internal fears. If we do not prepare, we will not be ready for what inevitably arrives.
Our next chapter.
Dr. Marla Gottschalk‘s article—Why It’s So Hard To Leave A Job (Even The Ones We Secretly Hate) inspired this Insight.
Challenge — What's Right For You?
Solution = Leverage Your Talent Stack + Build Your Career Capital
Identify your unique behavioural strengths, build your career capital and leverage your unique talent stack for lifetime success.
- Grow your leadership potential by targeting your critical developmental needs
- Determine your crucial career success factors, allowing for more focused efforts
- Discover your best and most successful career direction
- Find out about your strengths and interests in different career areas
Knowing yourself is the first step to being happy. Moreover, staying happy is an ongoing process of regrounding your long-term goals with your current objectives. When those align, you’re on the path to a job you can adore. Know when to find a better job as your best option may be to fall in love with your job (again) We also offer a personal development plan to help you achieve career success and satisfaction.
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