At some
point in time most working professionals will be faced with a new career
opportunity outside of their current employer’s offerings. Most of the
folks I know have some sort of fantasy involving a job opening that pays a
higher salary, contains added career growth potential, and/or generally sets
them in a direction that suits their future ambitions. But when that
ideal job opportunity moves from the fantasyland of their dreams and into the
landscape before them, how will they react? How would you react?
When
this door of possibility opens, the initial reaction of the working
professional is usually extremely positive. They are gung-ho about the
idea of advancement and the excitement of something new, but once the
opportunity translates itself into an official offer letter, the frame of mind
adjusts 180 degrees. Apprehension of change takes over the consciousness
and fear sets in. Hesitant thoughts begin to traverse the mind: “Maybe
this bump in salary or career direction isn’t worth the jump right now.” “Maybe
I should hold off for a little while and see where my current position takes
me.”
Yeah,
maybe they should, and maybe they shouldn’t. Nothing is certain, and the
fear of change is completely natural. However, surrendering to this fear
and hesitation without an accurate evaluation of the options can lead to
unfortunate personal growth stagnation.
The
bottom line is that we all must evaluate our options realistically and be ready
to face change if necessary. We must be willing to adjust in the event
that we are dealt a straight flush. Sure, the house might have the royal flush,
so you’ll never be absolutely 100% certain where your current position will
take you. But if you perform a constructive assessment of your options
weighted against a timeline of the next five years and your gut feeling tells
you that the bump is worth the jump, your instinct is almost certainly correct.
Make the leap and never look back.
A friend of mine is
currently in a state of extreme hesitation concerning a career opportunity that
I truly believe he should take. Either way, I just hope he makes a
decision that he won’t regret down the line.
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