And what staying in your current role can give you
One of the most common misconceptions of career coaching is that the goal is to quit your current job and find a new one that fits you better. Finding a new opportunity can be a great step. When you are looking to grow skills, make more money than your current company is willing to offer, or when you want better work/life balance, sometimes the answer is finding a new place that fits your needs.
But quitting your job is not always the answer. Sometimes, quitting would mean giving up all the good things that come with the job as well. And other times, our work situation is a reflection of our patterns, and we would simply take those patterns with us to a new job.
Quitting your job means quitting the good parts as well
I recently held a survey in my network, where I asked people to share the challenges they experience at work. The answers varied from generational differences between coworkers, unclear expectations, navigating work-life balance and the fear of criticism and making mistakes. There was only one thing everyone had in common: everyone experienced challenges.
At the same time, the majority of people said they were planning to stay in their current job. While there were parts of the job they found frustrating or difficult there were also many parts that they enjoyed. The people they worked with, the work itself or the financial stability their job gave them were mentioned as elements they were not willing to give up.
Quitting your job can feel like a fresh start, leaving behind the things that bothered you for a new environment. But it also means giving up the parts that you love. Making small but significant changes to your current situation can signficantly change how you experience your work. There are certain things you have no control over, but reflecting on the parts that bother you can help you improve your day-to-day experience. Figuring out your own needs, and expressing them to others. Finding the tools to manage feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Exploring new ways to interact with coworkers that are different from you. The obstacles you experience at work can be a great opportunity for growth.
Your work situation is a reflection of your patterns
We all have certain patterns that keep occurring in our lives. These patterns are as unique as we are. For some, it might be the feeling that you work a lot harder than your coworkers, and that you don´t get the appreciation you deserve. It might be finding it difficult to work with coworkers from a different generation or feeling an enormous amount of pressure to perform well. You might feel like you always end up in a job that offers no room for growth or find yourself always doubting whether you are good enough at what you do. Reflecting on whether this is only happening in your current job or if this is something that keeps coming up in your life can give you great insight.
If you experience recurring patterns in your work life, it is likely that you will recreate the pattern in a new workplace. Exploring the beliefs, emotions, fears and desires behind the pattern can help you see what is truly going on and develop the tools to do your part in creating a better situation for yourself.
If you do decide that a new opportunity is what is best for you, you can bring a new energy and perspective on your needs and desires to the new role.
If you experience recurring patterns in your work life, or if you are not sure whether you should stay in your current job, you are invited to have a free introduction call with me.