4 Reasons why you haven’t started looking for a new job (even though you know you really need to).

In a survey of over 200 people the length of time that someone knew they were unhappy and the time it took for them to do something about it ranged between 3months and 20 years.

My jaw hit the floor at the 20 year one! The most common responses were between 6-24 months. That is still a very long to be doing a job that makes you unhappy.

What was interesting is that until it got really bad, nothing was done about it. So what does it take for it to get really bad?

I understand there is a fine balance between giving something a chance and working on it. I also fully understand this pandemic has made it feel more challenging than normal to make a change. However, if my LinkedIn is anything to go by, I am receiving notifications multiple times a day about connections who are celebrating career moves. So what’s holding you back?

Here are the 4 Reasons why you haven’t started looking for a new job.

1. I literally don’t have any energy left at the end of the day.
2. This is a terrible time to make a change.
3. I don’t know how I would tell my boss/partner/parents.
4. I should be grateful for what I already have.

The problem with this is that it becomes a vicious cycle of survival. The truth is, behind all these excuses the real reason nothing is changing is because you:

• don’t know how
• you don’t know exactly what you want
• there’s fear, either about getting it wrong or letting someone down
• better the devil you know. Right?

Wrong. This fear of the unknown, and lack of clarity about what you really want creates;

• excuses
• procrastination
• and settling

Now I hear you. ‘But Pamella, I LITERALLY do not have energy to do anything at the end of the day, and I should seriously be grateful and I genuinely don’t want to let my company, or anyone down.’

Fair enough, but what happens when you burn out completely and get ill, become bitter for lack of fulfilment, frustration and not seeing any change in your life, and your company goes through a restructure, your boss or work bestie leaves? Because at least half of these things have happened to me and I’ve witnessed it time and time again with my clients too.

It is far more powerful, and empowering to act from a place of abundance than it is from a place of lack. This means not waiting until it gets so bad you get pushed out or desperate.

This is your career and your life.

No matter what anyone says, your career is yours to control and take by the reigns.

So, let’s get real here, what’s holding you back?