5 Reasons People Don’t Change Their Jobs But Should

It’s no secret that we are creatures of habit and that we love having that sense of security. Once you discover a good shampoo for your locks or you find a trusted accountant for your business, you’re unlikely to go searching for another. Our preference for loyalty extends beyond our personal lives, so we appreciate and express this trait even in business. That said, it’s perfectly natural that you’d want to stay in a job that feels safe and that gives you that sense of financial security.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the best choice, especially if your existing job doesn’t provide enough advancement opportunities, and if there is little room for growth in your personal life due to your choice of work, too. Sometimes, getting out of that comfort zone can be risky, but also rewarding, and grant you the right chance to progress in life and to expand your horizons. Here, we’ll discuss a few common reasons why people avoid making this professional switch, and why they, in fact, should.

Fear of taking risks

“What if my boss finds out I’ve been looking for a new job?” is a common question people ask themselves when considering a job change. There are so many what-ifs that we couldn’t list them all in a dozen blog posts like this one. But let’s look at the issue from a different perspective: what if the greatest risk you’re taking right now is not changing your job?

What if you would be so much happier and more fulfilled at a different company? What if you have a better salary and better colleagues? The risk will always be there, but it will rarely be a good enough reason to steer you away from taking your chance every now and then.

It’s no secret that we are creatures of habit and that we love having that sense of security. Once you discover a good shampoo for your locks or you find a trusted accountant for your business, you’re unlikely to go searching for another. Our preference for loyalty extends beyond our personal lives, so we appreciate and express this trait even in business. That said, it’s perfectly natural that you’d want to stay in a job that feels safe and that gives you that sense of financial security.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the best choice, especially if your existing job doesn’t provide enough advancement opportunities, and if there is little room for growth in your personal life due to your choice of work, too. Sometimes, getting out of that comfort zone can be risky, but also rewarding, and grant you the right chance to progress in life and to expand your horizons. Here, we’ll discuss a few common reasons why people avoid making this professional switch, and why they, in fact, should.

Feeling intimidated to keep learning

Maybe you’ve always wanted to work in healthcare, but the prospect of constant learning terrifies you. Well, some professions call for ongoing progress and improvement, so that you can implement the latest in your field. Fortunately, the world is brimming with options, so even in healthcare, you can now get medical certification online and obtain the knowledge you need to become better-qualified for various job prospects.

You can learn at your own pace and find other complementary ways to master these new skills and knowledge. By embracing the chance to learn, you’ll become all the more open to the idea of trying new jobs in and outside of your field of work, knowing that you can always enrich your skill set and move forward in life.

Financial uncertainty

Worried that you’ll land a job that pays significantly less? The beauty of job-searching in the modern era is that you can try different approaches without jeopardizing your current position. You can try a side-gig for a while, to see if a job pays well and if it fits your skills.

You can apply for multiple positions and always negotiate your salary. Standing up for yourself is what gets you the financial security you need, not staying stuck in the same job for years on end.

Fear of failing at your new job

The fear of failure is one of the most natural, common fears any professional has. So, for many, this fear can be so crippling that they stay stuck at a job they’re really not happy with, just to avoid the very possibility of failing. Just imagine where the world would be if Tesla or Marie Curie were afraid of failure – our lives would be very different today.

First off, failing is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. However, to boost your chances of success, you can prepare for the interviews better and land a job you’ll love. The sense of accomplishment you’ll gain will be worth your while!

Lack of confidence that you’ll adapt

Changing your job, even if it’s within the same field, means you’ll need to prove yourself yet again, build relationships from scratch, and adjust to new systems and protocols. Whether you’re applying for a job at a new hospital, or you’re about to start working in marketing from home, the learning curve goes beyond the actual subject matter.

By putting yourself in these new situations where you need to adapt, you will not only become better and more adjustable, but you’ll also overcome numerous setbacks that you come across. Changing your job means letting yourself grow, which will in turn help you be more resilient and confident in time.

While these are all valid reasons not to change your job and to stay put, if you take a moment to reevaluate your situation, you’ll realize that you can use the same reasoning for entering new relationships, picking up new hobbies, or moving to a new place. All changes require adjustments from us, they require learning, and you always need an open mind. If you’re stuck in your current job, maybe it’s time to rethink your professional future and start a new adventure, be it your own business, or finding your feet in a new field of work. Change is inevitable, it’s up to us to make the most of it!

About Emma Worden

Emma is a digital marketer and blogger from Sydney. After getting a marketing degree she started working with Australian startups on business and marketing development. Emma writes for many relevant, industry related online publications and does a job of an Executive Editor at Bizzmark blog and a guest lecturer at Melbourne University. Interested in marketing, startups and latest business trends. Follow Emma on Twitter.