Career change vs. happiness

In this article, I would like to lay out to you why I think that changing your job isn’t always a step towards happiness. Of course, my assumptions are not based on universal truths, and there will most likely be situations in which aqcuiring a new job makes sense.

There is, anyhow, a significant number of cases where it does not seem to lead to an improvement of the overall situation. On the contrary, there is evidence that it has a bad impact on your personal development and your satisfaction in life.

When we do not feel appreciated by our boss, there is a good chance that we will go through the same old patterns repeatedly after a short period of acclimatisation.

In my opinion it is a fact that issues of personal development lie underneath, if you re-encounter known conflicts with your new boss or colleagues. And they will linger just until you throw yourself at them and adjust your attitude towards reality and alter the impression you convey to your environment.

This, of course, requires committment to yourself and your issues. As we blame our boss or colleagues, mournfully complain about life and its hassle, we refuse to take responsability for ourselves.

Our current employment, which at first glance appears to be dull, actually serves as daily wake-up call to strive for more self-esteem, deeper commitment to ourselves and to adjusting our views and beliefs, defining more simplicity and fulfillment as superior aim in life. Not only does this improve our professional situation, but will be beneficial for your overall situation.

Retreat vs. attack

Changing your job in a situation as described above equals retreat. This will result in acquainting your old fellows in a new context sooner or later. Precious life time is wasted and your energy consumed by purposelessness. You plod on with a vague hope that everything will come out right, just until you realise you face the same old situation, albeit the faces you meet at work have changed.

Every time you consider a change because of dissatisfaction, you should analyse the true cause of your interest. You should assess your true motivations and your share in the conflict. The different types of potential developments that can be triggered through conflicts with others deserve several more specific and dedicated articles.

Troubleshooting

Problems with your boss can hint at an emotional problem with your parents. Most likely, you missed out on untieing the bonds with your father and your mother. Criticism uttered by the boss will subsequently be interpreted as pointing out personal deficiencies without regarding the rational cause for negative feedback. A task assigned by your boss will feel like being bossed around and inner rebellion against your employer will arise.

If problems at work are due to unresolved issues with your parents, there is more effect in sorting them out, rather than blaming and replacing the boss.

Neglecting responsibilities is a common issue, when emotional bonds, that is, with your parents, had not been released. So, we are still emotionally depending on the feedback from our parents on our decisions and on the things we do despite us having grown up. We still expect praise and appreciation of which we think we have never received or as a matter of fact never were given.

If we avoid doing things or do them secretly in fear of our parents’ reaction, or as their representation, the reaction of persons higher up in a hierarchy. The result will be completely different, once you do your homework: Once development is actively ort and you take the challenge. Then, it is possible that your boss becomes insecure. If then you seek new adventures, with a light heart, a change can result in improved satisfaction and an enriched life.