Yes, the moment has come.
I am about to start a new job! 🎉🎊
For those unfamiliar with my story: my aviation story started 9 years ago, as a Cabin Crew member. 5 years later, I was soaring in the sky as a professional pilot for an European airline. Flying to a new destination while meeting new colleagues kept me always motivated and excited about my career.
During all these years, I learnt tons of new things about flying, aircrafts or simply the people around me. I still cannot believe that in less than one month I will pass to the next stage of my career: flying long-haul. I am thrilled about my new life: layovers, colleagues, and incredible destinations while flying my dream aircraft: the A350! ✈️
I am sure that some people feel as excited as I am about changing careers or companies. For some others, change might still feel uncomfortable. Despite human evolution, the amygdala, an ancient part of our brains, is still trying to keep us safe. The same brain that was keeping us free from danger from a potential predator hidden inside a bush is now trying to convince us to maintain our current job for as long as possible. Our bodies were trained to mobilize our resources in a split second in a fight-or-flight response. But in our modern times, the ''dangers'' changed dramatically: instead of the dangerous predator, people started fearing change.
However, more often than not, progress comes from outside our comfort zone.
Let's ignore all the insecurities and take a look at a list of the 7 most common signs that prove is time for a job change!
The job is not rewarding enough: There is no shame in being financially rewarded for your hard work and dedication. Dream big! Investing in property, higher education, health or pension schemes are normal priorities. Your job should pay well enough to support these projects. There is simply no reason to stay in a job that doesn't support your personal financial goals.
There is no work-life balance: ''Work to live not live to work'' - a job that doesn't offer enough spare time/resources to enjoy your hobbies might drain all your energy in the long term. Also, if you are unlucky enough to have a job that generates a high workload and chronic stress or fatigue, it might even damage your health and well-being.
You feel you don't progress fast enough: If you're not progressing fast enough in your job, look for growth opportunities. Hard-working employees deserve a fair chance to differentiate themselves and get promoted. If your hard work isn't being rewarded, give it an extra week/month/year. If you still feel unappreciated, talk to your manager and explore promotions in another company.
You lost your curiosity/passion for your job: Being stuck in a 9:5 job you dislike might feel like torture. A big part of the awake time is spent at the workplace, so it is important to choose a job that aligns with your goals and expectations. How many times a day do you check the time while at work? Do you feel that time flies? Do you keep learning new things every day? If going to work feels just like ticking a box, be honest with yourself and analyse all the aspects before considering a change.
You contemplate change: If your current job is not rewarding enough, you might secretly consider changing it. People are self-sabotaging experts - we tend to overthink and doubt our capacities. However, when we rise to a new challenge and succeed, the feedback mechanisms get reinforced -> we get a self-confidence boost. The more we go out of our comfort zone, the more we succeed, and the more we succeed the more we believe in ourselves to go out of our comfort zone.
Your physical/mental health is neglected: If you feel constant signs of fatigue, burn-out or stress, it is a red flag that your body is trying to send you that is time to slow down or look for something else. Is your job allowing you enough time to rest, exercise, socialize or meditate? If you are often forced to put yourself last, it might be the time for a change.
Your friends and family noticed you changed: Yes, even if it might feel hard sometimes, accepting some constructive criticism from others helps us progress. Your loved ones might notice how the job is impacting your life better than you! If you listen carefully to the people you love, you will certainly find some useful recommendations about ways to improve your lifestyle and career.
As we passed through a list of 7 common signs showing is time for a job change, you might have realized that some or all of them apply to you. If this is the case, make a pros and cons list of maintaining your current job. It is one of the best decision-making tools that you can use, as it gives an objective view of the current situation.
Are you considering changing your career? Let me know in the comments what were the signs that pushed you to make the change.
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