From the time we were kids we've been told, "Don't give up. You have to stick with it." In certain instances that is very good advice. Not everything we try is going to be easy. Some of the things most worth achieving take practice to master. The problem arises when we apply this philosophy as adults and find ourselves in a rut, or worse a situation that is clearly a bad fit, and are so determined to stick with it that we won't make a change.
The challenge is being able to recognize the difference between a situation that will turn out in our favor if we just persevere and one that we would be better off walking away from. To help you make that determination we've compiled a short list of questions that you should ask yourself.
- What is it about this job/task/situation that frustrates me?
- Am I seeing signs of improvement?
- Are there things I can do to make the situation better?
- How is this negative situation impacting other areas of my life?
- Will continuing to do this be detrimental to my physical or mental health?
Obviously, if you answered yes to questions 4 or 5 you need to look for ways to change your situation as soon as possible. The first three questions are a bit more of a gray area. If can identify exactly what frustrates you about your current situation you may be surprised to learn that it is one small part of what you do. Changing that may be easier than you expect and may greatly improve your daily life. Similarly, if you are making progress and seeing improvement your situation may get better if you just stay the course. In this case we would definitely recommend sticking with it a little longer.
In the past we've talked about stress and the negative effects it can have on you both mentally and physically. If you missed our previous post you can read it here. Staying in a bad situation, of any type, can certainly be stress inducing. If, after reviewing the questions above, you determine that you are in a situation that needs to change we have some tips that can help.
- Finding a new job isn't easy but there are online tools that can help. Gone are the days of waiting for the next day's paper to come out so that you can scour the want ads. Online job boards are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We don't recommend job hunting while you're at your current job, but whenever you have free time the listings will be there for you to peruse.
- Making a career change can be a bit more challenging, but again the internet can help. Research the type of job that you'd like to have and find out what skills, training or degrees you'll need. Many courses are offered online so you may be able to expand your education from the comfort of your own home.
- If your needs are more basic, such as a schedule change or more flexible work hours you may be able to stay at your current job. Don't be afraid to be ask for what you want. Be courteous, be patient and be specific. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Perseverance is a great trait to have, in certain situations. By all means don't give up the minute the going gets a little rough, but don't get stuck in a bad situation because you are afraid to make a change.
