Is it time to move on?

A version of this post has been sitting in my drafts since February of this year. A question I often get asked by others, it had been on my mind too. You see, I’d been thinking for some time about my next step, stay on the bus or move on, but move on to what? For most of my career, I’ve had line of sight to the next thing. I’d had clarity and drive as to what I wanted and what the next best move would be for me. Yet, this time, I was unclear – I didn’t have the next step or even the vision for what I wanted to determine if standing still was warranted.

Then a colleague asked, “How do you know when it’s time to move on?” It was in answering this question, that I got clarity for myself. I hope this post serves you in your current (or next) endeavor.

Steps to determine if it’s time to move on:

Create a list of 3 to 5 things that are most important to you. What are your current priorities – money, career growth, fun?
Rank the list of priorities – if you can have A but not B is that ok? The ranking is essential, as you can better assess current opportunities against others. This approach also helps you get clarity on what are deal-breakers versus nice to have.
Make a list of what you value most. Usually, it’s 5-10 things you most value, both in your career and life. These differ from priorities in that these are your guiding light. Finding an environment that is aligned with your values is essential and often gives you clues as to why you may not be happy in your current role.
How does your current job and company stack up against your priorities and values? Is there an opportunity to shift roles, projects, or area of the company to get you more closely aligned with what’s important to you? If yes, there is your answer. If no, then it might be time to move on.

If it is time to move on, use these priorities and values as touchstones for what you will look for in your next opportunity. Perhaps it’s stepping into a different industry, your own business, or just a similar role in a different company.

Clarity about what you want is essential! And if you have trouble with this, check out a previous post for some tips and tricks on how to get clarity for yourself: I wish I had known.

Thoughts? Comments? Does it even resonate? Let me know, I’d love to hear.

Until next time … Be well, be safe and be free.