Stay or Go? Count the Costs
by Markell R. Morris, Futures in Motion, Inc.
Do you know the real cost of staying in a bad job?
You might be surprised it’s probably not what you think.
Several years ago I was in the wrong job, and I was too scared to do something about it. All I could think about was losing a stable income and benefits if I left.
The job started out fine but over time that changed, and it was no longer a fit for me. I was working for someone who didn’t value my contribution, and our personalities clashed. I was unhappy going to work. I was anxious and stressed out. I knew I needed and wanted to move on, but I felt stuck and powerless to do something about it. I was otherwise comfortable with a decent income and great benefits. I enjoyed my work and co-workers.
I dug in my heels. I put a lot of effort into trying to make it work which was honorable but didn’t have a lasting impact.
Then, I started getting sick. I’d always been a healthy person, but while I was in this job, I was in and out of the doctor’s office with various ailments. The doctor ran numerous tests. There was nothing physiologically wrong with me. So, he finally asked what else was going on. I told him about my work situation. Ah, it all makes sense now. Stress. My doctor told me this pattern of illness would continue as long as I was in that job, and he encouraged me to do something about.
I had to face the reality that it was time to move on. My mental and physical health was at stake.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t planned on leaving at that time, so I would be unemployed with no savings. That was scary, and so was the thought of progressive illness. The job wasn’t worth that. The cost was too high.
So, I decided to leave, and hope for the best. Then, I started doing everything I should have been doing all along- getting clear about what I really wanted to do, getting my finances in order, exploring my options and networking. Within a short amount of time, I started getting contract work, then teaching gigs, then a part-time counseling job. I wasn’t making a ton of money, but I was able to pay my bills and health insurance. More importantly, I was happy and hopeful again.
Perhaps, you’re in a similar situation- you want to make a career change, but you’re hesitant to take action because you’re afraid of what you’ll lose- the income to afford your lifestyle, a built in social network, the satisfaction of putting in a day’s work, the benefits of affiliation with a well known company, or something else.
I know what that’s like. I’ve been there.
Looking back, I can see clearly that fear kept me from leaving. I had allowed the job to rob me of my self-confidence and hope. What I learned from the situation is that there’s not only a cost to leaving, there’s a cost to staying.
When it comes to making a career change, we tend to give a lot more weight to what we’ll lose financially by leaving- salary and benefits. However, equally important is to realize what we lose by staying in a bad work situation. You lose your self-confidence, dignity, mental and physical well being, opportunity for fulfillment. You waste your talents and expertise.
Although painful, circumstances forced me to confront my situation and do something about it.
Today, I’m doing work I love. My work life suits my personality better. I work with and for people who value my knowledge and expertise. I make more money and have better benefits. I have my confidence and sense of purpose back. I’ve only had one minor cold in the years since I left!
While in that job, I couldn’t see how it was costing me of my peace of mind, health, self-confidence, and some of my dignity.
If this is you now, I want to encourage you. There are other options if you can muster the courage to take the first step.
You might be surprised it’s probably not what you think.
Several years ago I was in the wrong job, and I was too scared to do something about it. All I could think about was losing a stable income and benefits if I left.
The job started out fine but over time that changed, and it was no longer a fit for me. I was working for someone who didn’t value my contribution, and our personalities clashed. I was unhappy going to work. I was anxious and stressed out. I knew I needed and wanted to move on, but I felt stuck and powerless to do something about it. I was otherwise comfortable with a decent income and great benefits. I enjoyed my work and co-workers.
I dug in my heels. I put a lot of effort into trying to make it work which was honorable but didn’t have a lasting impact.
Then, I started getting sick. I’d always been a healthy person, but while I was in this job, I was in and out of the doctor’s office with various ailments. The doctor ran numerous tests. There was nothing physiologically wrong with me. So, he finally asked what else was going on. I told him about my work situation. Ah, it all makes sense now. Stress. My doctor told me this pattern of illness would continue as long as I was in that job, and he encouraged me to do something about.
I had to face the reality that it was time to move on. My mental and physical health was at stake.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t planned on leaving at that time, so I would be unemployed with no savings. That was scary, and so was the thought of progressive illness. The job wasn’t worth that. The cost was too high.
So, I decided to leave, and hope for the best. Then, I started doing everything I should have been doing all along- getting clear about what I really wanted to do, getting my finances in order, exploring my options and networking. Within a short amount of time, I started getting contract work, then teaching gigs, then a part-time counseling job. I wasn’t making a ton of money, but I was able to pay my bills and health insurance. More importantly, I was happy and hopeful again.
Perhaps, you’re in a similar situation- you want to make a career change, but you’re hesitant to take action because you’re afraid of what you’ll lose- the income to afford your lifestyle, a built in social network, the satisfaction of putting in a day’s work, the benefits of affiliation with a well known company, or something else.
I know what that’s like. I’ve been there.
Looking back, I can see clearly that fear kept me from leaving. I had allowed the job to rob me of my self-confidence and hope. What I learned from the situation is that there’s not only a cost to leaving, there’s a cost to staying.
When it comes to making a career change, we tend to give a lot more weight to what we’ll lose financially by leaving- salary and benefits. However, equally important is to realize what we lose by staying in a bad work situation. You lose your self-confidence, dignity, mental and physical well being, opportunity for fulfillment. You waste your talents and expertise.
Although painful, circumstances forced me to confront my situation and do something about it.
Today, I’m doing work I love. My work life suits my personality better. I work with and for people who value my knowledge and expertise. I make more money and have better benefits. I have my confidence and sense of purpose back. I’ve only had one minor cold in the years since I left!
While in that job, I couldn’t see how it was costing me of my peace of mind, health, self-confidence, and some of my dignity.
If this is you now, I want to encourage you. There are other options if you can muster the courage to take the first step.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER, RECLAIM YOUR FUTURE AND DESIGN A CAREER YOU LOVE
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Create a Career You Love: 5 Steps to Define Your Next Career Move
Markell R. Morris is an international speaker, career counselor and job search coach based in Long Beach, CA. Her mission is to help frustrated career changers get excited about their life and career after loss and personal challenges. She has created career programs and resources that help her clients gain a sense of direction and hope, so they can go after their goals with confidence. Download her free ebook, Create a Career You Love, for career advice to discover your meaningful career path.
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