Do You Love Your Job?

I’ve been working for large companies for a long time. I’ve held down many different roles and I think that’s why I’ve managed to stay with my current employer for such a long time. As long as the work is fresh and challenging, it’s easy to stick with it.

But what happens if you reach a point where going to work is no longer challenging, or worse, you no longer enjoy what you’re doing? If you work for a big company, you have two choices. One, you can just deal with it, knowing that given enough time things will change.  Over the years I’ve used this approach, and sure enough give things enough time and eventually there’s a reorganization or new leadership and suddenly there’s a new environment.

The other alternative is to start a job search. I’ve actually had interviews with other companies during periods when I was unhappy, but in nearly every instance the circumstances at my current company changed. But it’s always an option, and it’s alway easier to look for work while your employed.

Life is stressful enough without having your job pile on. If you don’t enjoy what you do, it’s bad for you and it’s bad for your employer. It can create stress at home and can actually begin affecting your health.  If waiting for change is not an option, then you may have no choice but to begin a job search.

It can be a difficult and painful decision to leave an employer, especially if you have a long history with the company and all the benefits and job security that comes with it.  I’d wager many people stay in a stressful, dead-end job simply because it’s familiar and routine.  Fear of change can have a paralyzing effect.  

So it really all comes down to whether you think your circumstance will change, or your willingness to change.  If it looks like the status quo will continue at work and it’s causing you undue stress, it may be time to face the fear of change and look for something more fulfilling and challenging.