For most people, changing work environments is a major cause of stress.
According to one study, changing jobs creates, on average, about a third of the stress of the death of a spouse, half that of divorce, and 50% more than quitting smoking.
It's no surprise that people with stable jobs are often hesitant to leave even when they have opportunities for better.
People resist big changes in their lives, like getting a new job, partly for biological reasons. For example, the brain is more efficient, using less energy, when it can rely on fixed memory – when it doesn't have to process a lot of new information.
A 2016 study found that people have a hard time changing jobs, while they become the best in the work environment they belong to.
According to one study, people who change jobs typically rate their satisfaction with the position they are leaving at 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 7. The new job scored a 6 during the first six weeks, but that tends to drop over the next few weeks to around 5.5. However, there is nothing to worry about.
If you want to find a way to cope with your anxiety and take the big step toward changing jobs, the best way to do so is to start by understanding that anxiety is a form of fear. To make good decisions in an uncertain situation with less stress, you need to focus your attention on exactly why you're unhappy and what exactly you want instead. This way, the entire process of changing jobs becomes less scary.
Harvard professor Ethan Bernstein, in his book "Job Moves," documents the experiences of hundreds of people who have changed jobs and finds that their changes are largely motivated by one of four aspirations.
Quest 1: Explore the possibilities
You seem to be at a dead end and your future at work doesn't look promising at all. This could be because you don't see any room for growth or change, and your employer could also be to blame. The goal at this stage is to look for a new job where you feel you can get the support you need and that will give you the opportunities you are looking for. Make sure that when you are in a job interview that you discuss the challenges of the job you are applying for, as well as the work environment.
Quest 2: Take back control
The problem here is that you have no control over how you work. This usually indicates a rigid company culture or a controlling employer. Your goal is to find a new job that will allow you more flexibility, freedom of thought, and control over how you work.
Quest 3: Learn about the new work environment
Your workplace dissatisfaction can also stem from underestimation or disrespect. This almost always reflects a management problem and is very common, the professor notes in his book. The way to avoid this in your next job is not only to evaluate your new manager in an interview and the impression he or she will leave on you, but also to socialize with the company's employees. As you do this, be sure to ask specifically about the culture at the company - does the kind of mentality you are looking for exist?
Quest 4: Take the next step
In this case, your dissatisfaction at work is not because of your employer - you simply want something to change, you feel ambivalent. This reflection occurs when you reach a milestone in your life, such as turning 50 or when a major change occurs in your family. The telltale sign here is the boredom you feel with the “status quo”. You will need to listen carefully to your mind, be honest with yourself and your needs to find options that will suit you and satisfy you.
In any case, the professor emphasizes in his book: “Seek improvement, not perfection.” When you feel “stuck” in your life, it’s easy to think of changing jobs as a solution to all your problems. A new job won’t fix your marriage or help you if you’re trying to achieve a health-related goal. And, of course, you should also be prepared for things you won’t like – maybe your new job will be much more demanding.
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