Knowing when it is time to "move on"... It might be right now!

Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit. - - Conrad Hilton

Making the decision to move on to a new job (or seek a new career ... sell a business) is a very difficult and often an emotional undertaking. If you think about it, close to 80% of our waking time is engaged in our job or business. It becomes part of our heart and soul.

Surveys the past month are indicating a strong discontent among workers that is causing them to reflect on and then take action to move on to a new career and job . So many that I have revisited this subject again (since 2008) and why?

The recent survey numbers are staggering – one study indicated that 81% of workers are planning to change jobs . Another indicted that over 50% of employees in jobs are in an active job search right now (that may be the person right next to you).

Clearly the working population is starting to feel more confident about their chances in landing a new job and at the same time, many are just fed up with their current employer given the wage cuts, layoffs, increased workloads, lowered benefits and lack of growth many experience the past three or so years.

What does this mean?

The “Brain-Drain” is about to occur. The “Brain Drain” relates to the number of people with knowledge of a company, customers, processes and products who will be or are ready to jump ship. This has a detrimental effect upon an organization as they need to retrain and regroup, and that takes time and money. Smart companies will realize this now, and talk to their employees, perhaps give back some that was taken away or simply acknowledge the situation. Not enlightened companies will do nothing and think, Hell, they won’t find a job out there … (But they will!).

Is it time for you to move on?

But there are times in any job - what I refer to as defining moments – when a situation, a change or a significant revelation is a wake-up call. I was recently working with a client who made the decision to seek a new job after his 4-year old son asked Mommy, "...does Daddy live somewhere else?" That's a wake-up call. If you are having feelings that there is a disconnect in your job or career, perhaps it is your time to change – to move on and recharge your internal “batteries”. I hope the following tips help:

Have you lost that "loving feeling" or Passion? Maybe Bored? Move On …

You enter the job or business full of enthusiasm and vigor, and it wears off. You are not challenged, you lose interest or you don't see growth, challenge, etc. It's not that there is anything wrong with you or the company, you have just outgrown each other; it is time to move on.

If your job affects your life -- health, family, relationships --- Move on

Job stress can kill you (take it from an "expert"). It can affect your health in many ways including sleep, eating, clarity of thoughts, etc. Excessive job demands will affect your family and relationships, and when this becomes an issue, move on.

Changes don't fit you … Move on

Change helps grow businesses and at times, changes just don't fit everyone. If you feel that company changes are not right for you, and you see no light at the end of the tunnel, time to move on.

You are marginalized --- or work for boss you do not respect? … Move on

Everything is going great and then there is a new player or a new strategy that results in you being marginalized - not included in meetings, or not involved as you were before. You become disconnected. Top that with a new boss who you just don't click with and you know it is time to move on.

You are not growing … Move on

This is the number one reason why people leave jobs - no growth or learning opportunities. The result - you find you're "stuck" --- not growing, not learning, and not advancing. Talk to your management team and if there is no positive resolution, move on.

Change is good for all. When you are disconnected from your job, your performance suffers and that is not good for the company. It's best for both that you move on --- with a great experience under your belt and with a new set of skills and friends.

Energize yourself – take action – move on to bigger and greater things. – And thank you for reading this. - Dan