Before you run away...do this.
Is it time to leave? How do you know?
It's the final quarter of the year. This is one of those checkpoints when people start examining where they're at. It's the home stretch of the year and a natural time for this curiosity to come up.
Can you relate?
Some may start to question where they currently are in their career and other situations they find themselves in. Situations where they've been going with the flow, accepting things as they are. Not feeling particularly satisfied, but not unsatisfied enough to do something about it. Until they look at the calendar...
Then, all of a sudden, there's a sense of urgency. Before you know it your bags are packed and you're ready to run to the next thing...without really taking a moment to stop and check-in.
It doesn't mean that running isn't going to be the thing you end up doing, but you want to make sure you're running in the right direction. You want to be running towards something, not away from something. It matters.
There's a difference.
What happens when you're running away from something is that often, months later, you wake up and realize you're in the same situation again. Whether it's a relationship, a job, a living circumstance, it doesn't really matter. If you don't take the time to understand where you are now - the pros and cons of it - and then consider where you want go, you will inevitably end up in the same place. The face may look different. The co-workers may be new, but what you are running away from is going to present itself.
It happens.
It's because you haven't done the work to recognize where you are right now. The good things you get out of it and the things you'd like to change.
So what do you do when the only option feels like running away?
Are you ready?
Let's get to it...
Your challenge...
Are you packing your bags and ready to hit the road?
First...put the brakes on! Take a breath and ask yourself, "Is it time to leave?" and invest 10 minutes in your future.
When things aren't going great, the grass always looks greener on the other side, and maybe it is...but how do you know for sure? There are no guarantees, but you have a better chance of landing in a better space, if you take the time to get clear first.
What does this investment look like?
Taking the time to assess the current pros and cons of where you are.
Let's use the job situation as an example.
What is this job costing me?
Literally - the dollars it costs you to do your job.
Things like: Gas, Uber, lunch money, car insurance, wardrobe, laptop, phone etc.
What does it cost me:
Mentally, physically? Your peace of mind.
Time.
Then also ask yourself, what are the benefits of my current situation?
It could be the social benefits.
Financial benefits.
Fulfillment. Freedom. Independence. Autonomy. The ability to make a difference in the world.
Really taking the time to ask and answer these questions. Old school, on paper. Get some clarity on the things you enjoy about your current situation and the costs, because no situation is "all good" or "all bad".
Now you know.
You know what's important to you in a job, and you also know what to watch out for, the costs you're not willing to pay.
You can try this approach for most situations. Assessing the benefits and pitfalls. Doing the math. Making sure you know what you're potentially leaving behind and what you want to have moving forward. Along with the costs that aren't worth it for you.
So now consider, is it time to run or reassess?
Looking for support? Contact me
Cheers,
Ann
Before you run away…do this.