Here’s a common question I get asked
Should I stay in my current job? I don't love it, but it's not terrible either …
Or
Should I look for something else that feels right for me? A job I'll love!
And
If I do decide to stay how can I love my job again
Today, I’m going to be helping you to answer those questions
Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode No 73 of ‘Your Bravo Career’
My name is Mark Crossfield, I’m a Professional Career Coach helping you to love your job and build a great career.
This podcast is about why your career matters
how you can enjoy what you are doing day each day at work
and how to build a great career along the way.
Introduction
Welcome to episode No 73.
In today's episode, I’m going to address the perennial question of whether you should continue in your current role or explore new opportunities.
I get asked this question, in one form or another, a lot.
But, I’m going to go further and help,
if you decide to stay in your current role, to love your job again.
It’s not surprising that this is often a question I get asked about ..
Feeling uncertain about our jobs and careers is natural.
And I did cover the subject of should I go or should stay about 2.5 years ago in
Episode No 8.
I’m updating that episode today and extending the advice I gave then to include how to love your job again.
And, I covered that subject, how to love your job again, in
episode 19, which was a couple of years ago now and that was another popular episode.
So, today, I'll explore some key aspects to consider when contemplating whether to stay or go. And crucially, as I say, what to do if you are staying.
What do that is, if you want to love your job again.
So let's get Started
Where do we get started?
Well, without getting too forensic, let’s look at what your job is, with a bit of objectivity.
First let’s break down you job down into 3 parts.
Into your role, easy enough, the organisation you work, that’s important here and lastly the industry you work in.
Your role, the organisation and the industry.
You see, how we experience our job and whether it’s right for us or not depends on many things, most of which get wrapped up these 3 things - the role itself, the factors relating to the organisation and finally the industry or sector you work in.
You will see what I mean as I proceed.
So, let’s get started looking at the role first.
[The Role]
First, let's focus on your current role. Your role represents your primary job or activity, such as a project manager, accountant, or service manager.
Consider the different aspects of the role you carry out and reflect on the following questions: If you need to pause after the questions and make notes or think through your responses then go ahead and do that.
Here we go …
- Do you find your role interesting?
- Does the role feel like a good fit for you?
- Does the role fully utilise your skills?
- Is there enough challenge to keep you engaged?
- If you were to switch companies, would you still prefer to perform the same or a similar role elsewhere?
Take a moment now to note your answers, as this will help you assess whether you're in the right role.
If you generally agree or strongly agree with these questions, it's more likely that you're on the right track and your current role is a good fit for you.
However, if you disagree to some or all of these, it may indicate that you're not in the right role.
[The Organisation]
Now let's shift our attention to the organisation you work for. Reflect on your current organisation and considering the following questions:
- Do you feel excited or proud about working for your organisation?
- Do you feel a sense of alignment with the organisational culture?
- Are your values in line with those of the organisation?
- Do you feel fairly compensated?
- Do you have confidence in the organisation's management and leadership?
If you mostly agree or strongly agree with these questions, it suggests that you're probably in the right organisation.
Conversely, if you disagree, it may indicate that there is a mismatch. That the organisation isn’t right for you.
Or, at least this is something you should investigate further.
[The industry]
Lastly, let's consider the industry or sector you work in.
Think about your industry or sector - the broader categorisation defined by the primary business activities of your company, and …
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you find your industry interesting?
- Do your values closely align with the industry?
- Does it feel like you're meant to be in this industry?
- Would you recommend your industry to others?
If you generally agree or strongly agree with these questions, it's more likely that you're in the right industry or job sector.
If you disagree, or if you often find yourself daydreaming about changing careers and leaving your current industry, it may suggest that you're not in the right industry.
Ok, thanks for doing that.
[Assessing the Combinations]
Now that we've explored each aspect, you’re able to look at the different combinations that arise from your answers.
In my "
Should I Stay or Should I Go Guide," which is a FREE guide on my website, I outline eight possible scenarios which correspond to the different answers you may have given.
For a detailed analysis, I encourage you to download the guide, which I'll link to in the show notes.
The scenario I want to focus on in the rest of this episode is one where you are in the right role, company and industry but, well, for some reason you’re not enjoying you job.
This can be a common situation and worth our attention today.
How can you fall back in love with your job?
Knowing that you are in the right place – in relation to your role and company etc.
So, let’s talk about that now.
First of all I think I need to explain how’s it’s even possible for you to be in the right role, organisation and industry and not enjoy your job. How can that be?
Well, sadly, over the past few decades, significant transformations have occurred in the job landscape, and unfortunately, some of these changes have made it increasingly challenging for us to enjoy our work.
For example, there is an increasing number of additional responsibilities and administrative tasks that have become integral to many professions.
There’s also a lot more scrutiny.
Teachers, for example, have experienced significant increases in their job scope beyond teaching alone. They are now tasked with numerous additional roles that extend beyond the classroom.
There’s also a plethora of tests and assessments, both for children and teachers, contributing to increased pressure and evaluation.
Similarly, management roles have undergone significant changes, with many traditional HR tasks now falling under the purview of managers. In the past, these responsibilities were typically handled by dedicated HR team members.
Managers are now burdened with additional duties related to employee recruitment, training, and performance management, alongside their core managerial responsibilities.
In recent years, healthcare professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, have faced a significant rise in administrative tasks. These include documentation, insurance claims, and compliance with various regulations and protocols.
This additional burden has eroded the time available for direct patient care, creating frustration and affecting the overall job satisfaction of healthcare professionals.
These changes, and whatever the equivalent is in your industry, have made it more challenging for us to enjoy work. Even if, on the face of it, we are in the right role, company and industry.
Many leave their jobs and even the industry because of these factors.
So, what can we do about it?
Here are some suggestions to help you love your job again.
Firstly, it’s important to focus on what you like about your work: Shift your attention away from the negative aspects of your job and instead focus on what you enjoy or could enjoy about your current role.
You can change your perspective and find renewed enthusiasm by consciously directing your thoughts towards these positive aspects.
Turn away from those things that are a bit of a drag and lean into the things you enjoy.
Next, see if you can find meaning in your work: Or reconnect with the meaning and purpose behind what you do.
Reflect on your work's impact on others, both within and outside your organisation.
Identify the contributions you make and how they align with your personal values. Finding meaning can breathe new life into your job and reignite your passion.
Next, see if you can improve work relationships: Strong relationships at work can significantly impact your job satisfaction.
Conversely when relationships sour at work this usually leads to a reduction in enjoyment at work.
Strive for open and honest communication with your colleagues, practice active listening, and support others in their professional growth.
You can create a more enjoyable and supportive work environment by fostering positive work relationships.
The next thing to consider relates to how you undertake your work.
Is it possible for you to redesign your job: For example, you could consider making changes to your job that align with your skills and interests.
Could you identify tasks or projects that you find fulfilling and explore ways to incorporate them into your role?
If necessary, have a conversation with your manager about potential adjustments that can make your job more engaging and meaningful.
The next way you can increase your enjoyment in your current role is by seeking professional development opportunities: Investing in your professional growth can reignite your passion for your job.
Explore training programmes, workshops, or certifications that can enhance your skills and knowledge.
Engaging in continuous learning keeps you challenged and motivated, and opens up new possibilities within your current role.
Finally, can you negotiate for better compensation or benefits: Feeling adequately compensated is an important factor in job satisfaction.
If you believe you deserve a raise or additional benefits, gather data to support your case and have a constructive conversation with your manager.
Feeling valued and appreciated can positively impact your happiness and work engagement.
I discussed this in my podcast episode
53 – How to get a payrise. So, you might want to check that out and I will link to that in the show notes.
Ok, let’s summarise these points
In today's episode, I addressed the question of whether you should stay in your current job or explore new opportunities. I then talked about how to love your job again if you decide to stay.
I explored three key aspects: the role itself, the organisation you work for, and the industry you are in.
Starting with the role, I encouraged you to reflect on whether your current role was interesting, a good fit, and fully utilised your skills.
I then shifted our attention to your organisation, considering factors such as alignment with the organisational culture, values, compensation, and confidence in management.
Lastly, I explored the industry and encouraged you to think about your interests, values, and sense of belonging in that industry.
After examining these aspects, I highlighted the importance of assessing the combinations that arise from your answers.
In the remainder of the episode, I focused on a common scenario where you find yourself in the right role, company, and industry but you’re not enjoying your job.
I provided several suggestions. These included
- focusing on the positive aspects of your work,
- finding meaning and purpose,
- improving work relationships,
- considering job redesign,
- seeking professional development opportunities, and
- negotiating for better compensation or benefits.
My aim with the episode has been to help you make informed decisions about your job and career.
Whether this means exploring new opportunities or finding ways to reignite your passion and love for your current job.
Conclusion:
So, I hope all that is helpful.
Show Ending