Your Current Job Could Be Squelching Your Intelligence Potential If Left Unchanged

We have all been at the point in life when we are debating whether to move forward with a career change. This is as simple as finding a new job within your field, or as difficult as starting fresh with something completely new. Both instances carry their own pros and cons. Ultimately, we all ask, “What am I supposed to do?”

Reasons For Change

The need for something new is a subjective view for each of us. Needing more money is a common attribute. Money plays a huge part if most decisions in life. This does not mean you should focus heavily on it, but rather you should consider it as a heavily weighted variable. For example, you are not likely to move across the country for a job which will pay you $40,000, but you might for a job which pays $85,000 or more. Another common reason to change is growth. If you are in the same position for too long, you become stagnant in your growth as a person. Regardless, we all will have our own reason for looking to change. Unless there is something holding you to a particular position, it does not hurt to indulge checking out other options out in the market.

Things To Consider When Thinking About A Career Change

One of the main focuses we dwell on within a career change is the money. Money is a tool we all have to use in our lives, and thus motivates us heavily. However, keep in mind  what kind of life you will be trading for more money every year. Remember, a job is simply you trading your time for compensation. This would include what additional benefits you might get out of a change. Ultimately, you are going to have to be happy for the change. You are likely going to be working there for at least the next three years on average.

What Holds Us Back

Thinking of change can be scary. We are comfortable with what we know, and it can be scary to upset this comfortability. This is especially true with new college graduates. They have spent so many years working hourly positions while they finish their degrees. Once graduation hits, the real world begins and the comfortable of that hourly position can be hard to let go of. Another hindrance is the fear of failing. The real working world can be daunting. It is great to dream about starting new with something bigger, but the fear of ACTUALLY doing it can be crippling. We will often make excuses to ourselves as to why we cannot do it.

Without Fear And Being Uncomfortable, You Will NOT Succeed

Having fear is actually great! Fear will drive you to work that much harder to success in whatever new role you get. The fear of failing is a superb motivating factor. It will also keep you focused. The same is true with being uncomfortable. Your mind builds new connections when it is required to think. Thus, your intelligence can increase. When you are stuck in the same position year after year, no new connections are being made. You are getting older, but your intelligence is not change with you. If you change job functions or careers, your brain HAS to change its thought processes. You begin making new connections, and your cognitive abilities increase (Trafton & MIT News Office, 2015). Thus, being uncomfortable is a great thing to have!

Don’t Give Up  

So often we give up on making our dream of change a reality due to fear or not working hard enough to achieve it. Don’t give up on what you are striving for. The moment you quit is the moment you tell yourself you’re not worth it. This is a lie. Just because your journey to change may take longer than others, does not mean you should not go for it. So, don’t give up, be fearful, and be uncomfortable. You got this!

Reference:

Trafton, A., & MIT News Office. (2015, November 18). Neuroscientists reveal how the brain can enhance connections. Retrieved fromhttp://news.mit.edu/2015/brain-strengthen-connections-between-neurons-1118#.Wz6c8IIvH5k.link