Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Hi Babe,
Thank you for your letter.
I think you may know what I’m going to say before anything else and that is you really shouldn’t care what anybody thinks. This is your career and this is your life. So I want you, first and foremost, to do your best to turn the volume down on what you think anybody is going to say. Often, our worst fears of what others may think is just a deep judgement of ourselves, as those who love and support you will always cheer you on!
The pandemic has altered our perceptions about many aspects of our lives and many workplaces have seen drastic changes in the culture, environment, workforce, and structure. It sounds like you are experiencing some of these shifts in your working dynamic and therefore, as things change, you can also change and adapt. If you genuinely feel that you have outgrown your workplace and you no longer feel nurtured, inspired, or motivated then I think it’s exceptionally brave of you to consider other options and this is an empowering exercise to do whenever you feel unsteady.
However, I’ll also offer a light word of warning to not make a rash decision either because things will take time to settle post-pandemic. Our new world and the demands for different ways of working will inevitably change some seemingly steadfast traditions and some change is good no matter how unnerving.
I believe some people are built for long-term career commitments to one employer or one area of specialisation and for others, whose talents and spirits are more complex, career paths are viewed as a means to explore the world around them, seek new adventure, and flex personal abilities.
There is no such thing as a ‘jack of all trades master of none’ when so many skills are transferable across different roles and industries. There really are people who thrive under many different job titles that can find fulfilment in doing so.
I’m sure the people you mentioned who have had such a positive impact on you will remain on your journey and, if you reach a point where you move on, they’re still an important part of your experience. Hopefully, with each new chapter, you’ll meet more of those fabulous humans that help you realise new goals and ambitions.
Good luck! Keep me posted on what you decide to do and if you need a hand writing a personal statement for a new endeavour or just to refresh your CV for a little personal boost just holla on AskMalee.com.
With love,
Malee
