We’ve all been in a job where “things are going to get better”, not just yet, but very soon. Perhaps you’re finally going to get a new product to work on, or that rewrite that’s well overdue, or a new development machine, or any number of other things.
Assuming you’re actually bothered by the non-arrival of your desired improvement, it’s very important that you set a cut-off date for it to occur by. Not only that, you also should define what action you’re going to take when that date arrives; typically, that’d be “leave”.
Without a cut-off you can meander on, days turning to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. Before you know it years have passed without any actual changes having occurred, only the constant dangling carrot of hope.
I’m not advocating that everyone quit their job just because they don’t get to do everything they want. This is about when you’ve done everything in your power to improve things, to instigate change, and when that still has no effect.
You have to know when something has become a lost cause, and when it’s time to move on.
Comments...
I was recently at that very job, in fact I was there for a few years. Then I decided – “as the market is down, and its nearing Xmas, maybe now is a good time to find another job”. In retrospect, maybe not the best idea.
Anyway, started at a new place and within 1 week was wishing to god I never left the old place. I know its a cliche but the grass is often not greener.
By Chris Owen — 12 Dec, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
@Chris: Thanks for the reassuring story!
I think anyone who’s planning on quitting out of unhappiness should be aware of what they’re letting themselves into. If you aren’t willing to take a risk when trying to find a better job, then you shouldn’t leave. If you don’t try, you never will find somewhere better.
The grass may not always be greener, but sometimes it is; and if you want to find that somewhere you’re going to have to tread on some brown first.
As for timing, a good Escape Fund™ helps with that.
By James Gregory — 12 Dec, 2008 @ 9:39 am
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