New Year, New Job? Part One

Are you feeling it is time for a change? Maybe it wasn't part of your New Year's resolutions but you are noticing within yourself that work isn't as challenging or sparking the curiosity and joy it once was. Or maybe you are so sick of the status quo being in favor of management and not you, the employee. Unless I am talking to my inner work circle or girlfriends, I don't typically trash talk my managers. I feel privileged to have worked for some good managers and directors. My complaints were never been HR worthy, it was the run of the mill petty complaints like "Uh, management is always making more work for us to do. It feels impossible to prioritize every task they want us to complete." And like most employees would, I commiserate with my close work circle. I have not felt like I need to abort my entire team or job because of the way I was being treated (knock on wood not yet). I have a long standing work history. I am one loyal-ish employee. I have stayed at most of my jobs for three years. The shortest stent was less than a year and it was because of nonprofit grant funding being an issue. But overall, I don't think jobs are meant to be permanent because that sets up a lot of people to fail. I mean there is a thing called layoffs or department/company closure. I do believe in casual job searching to see what jobs are hot in the market or skills employers are vying for. The personal practice of casual job searching and applying has showed me also how difficult it is to get noticed too. "No Lie!"

Is 2024 the year you need to jump ship? Are you feeling unsure about your possible mixed emotions? Lean in to those feelings. There is a reason why you maybe feeling torn. Do you feel your manager is unsupportive? Is the work becoming very mundane where you have contemplated napping on the job? Despite signing up for every possible special project, you don't feel fulfilled? Then these truly maybe signs of needing a change. It may not be you need to change your job but there is something going on that needs to be heard.

Start taking emotional inventory of how you feel commuting to work or logging into work. Are you not even interested in the work you do or feel connected. Re-trace your why. If there is misalignment then you will know it. And its okay if you accepted your current job only because of your skills being suited for the job and the pay was good.