Bad reasons to change careers -

Bad reasons to change careers - You know what they say: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. If youve been coveting the greener grass of a career change, be sure to stop and reflect before you plan a major shift. While transitioning careers sometimes makes sense, many people mistakenly believe a career change will solve all of their problems. Even successful career changers may be surprised to find that they encounter the same (or worse) problems in their new careers. Before you start to explore whats on the other side of the fence, consider the following reasons not to change careers. You hate your job. Theres nothing worse than spending 40-plus hours a week doing something that you really hate. Before you plan a change, evaluate the situation. Do you loathe the work itself, or is your overbearing boss too much to take? Are you really unhappy because of the work itself, or do you wish you could wave a magic wand and send your annoying co-workers up in a cloud of smoke? Statistics show that people tend to leave positions not because of bad jobs, but to flee bad bosses. Make sure you arent allowing a difficult supervisor or co-worker to dictate your career trajectory. Think about how you can improve your relationship with your boss. Unfortunately, you are likely to encounter unsavory colleagues and employers in any field. Your hours are too long. You yearn for flexibility, but your employer demands 24/7 dedication. It would seem that a career change may be the answer, but unfortunately, you may find that starting over in a new career puts you at the bottom of the proverbial food chain. As the new guy, you could be tasked with weekends on call and long hours. Most employers expect longer hours from their workers due to layoffs and a need to produce more with less. While a shift may help avoid certain unfavorable characteristics of your current career, make sure you arent jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Research new options carefully to be sure you wont be trading one problem for another. You cant get a raise or a promotion. Its tempting to plan to throw in the towel on an entire career if youve hit the earning ceiling or if the money and recognition arent worth the effort. Is a new career really the answer, or might some key changes in your current job put you in a position to win the praise and raise you seek? Have you been coasting along while new team members push ahead with new ideas? Its probably a lot easier to shift your attitude and work ethic than it is to carve out an entire new career. Make sure you think carefully before trading in what you have for something new. You crave predictability and consistency at work. It can be unsettling when new requirements, policies and procedures come down the pike every other week. If you hate uncertainty, its tempting to dream about a career where you can do your job and the rules dont change, but its not realistic. You think a new career could be more exciting. Youve been doing the same thing for years; wouldnt making a change put a new spring in your step? It might. However, many career changers are disappointed to learn that they bring many of the same negative feelings about work to their new careers. Even a new career becomes old in time. Before planning your career shift, make sure you think about what you need to change in your life and consider the various opportunities to incite that change. For example, if your job isnt challenging, maybe you could spend your extra energy creating a freelance business to bring in extra money on the side. Or, if youre not entrepreneurial, identify some activities youve always wanted to try and join a club with other aficionados. Work isnt the only place where you can make changes in your life. Before you jump over the fence to walk on the greener grass, be sure to consider other alternatives and clarify your expectations. You dont want to be surprised to learn that every lawn has some weeds. photo by Bill Liao