FLAWED ATTRACTION: A new job won’t make you any happier if you are the problem in your current role. Photo: iStockphoto/hit003

Beware bright lights of ‘the other’

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016 - 14:10

Those who think the grass is greener on the other side need to think again.

DO you hate your job? Things at work not going your way? Productivity down? Not earning enough? Thinking of leaving? Here are some job realities you may want to consider before flying to another light bulb.

First, figure out the whole why. You need to take a deep look into the situation before you decide to move. What is causing these feelings of unrest, distrust or unhappiness?

Here’s a list of reasons. Don’t just read them; if you’re unhappy at work, list the ones that apply to you and write a ‘why’ sentence next to it. Don’t just confirm the reason in your mind, go deeper to discover the reason behind the reason.

Here’s your self ‘why’ test.

• Belief system failing in product – you don’t think your product is really better than the competition’s.

• Belief system failing in company – you’ve lost faith in the company’s ability to perform.

• Poor service after you sell it – continuing complaint calls are lowering your morale.

• Boss is a jerk – for one reason or another he or she hasn’t earned your respect.

• Poor management – acting in their own self interest, can’t sell better than you.

• Conflicts with co-workers or management – too much politics in the office.

• Poor training – you aren’t getting adequately prepared to sell.

• High turnover – many good people leaving.

• Too much work – you work too hard, and you don’t want to put forth the effort.

• Poor pay – low pay for your effort.

• Poor working conditions – lack of sales support.

• Business hurting – the economy and sales are less prevalent or slower.

• No upward opportunity – you’re stuck in non-growth mode.

And of course the one reason you may have omitted is … it may be you.

Self-test for these.

• Your poor attitude.

• Home life problems.

• Money problems.

• Your poor sales skills.

• Your poor work habits.

• Poor performance on your part.

• Placing blame rather than taking responsibility.

• Stress (caused by one or many of the above).

Did you find your ‘thorn’? Did you discover why, or did you already know, and I just confirmed it? So now that your skin is itching with the reality, what are you going to do about it?

Well, not so fast. I’d like you to consider some deeper reflection first.

When you find your biggest reason(s), ask yourself ‘why’ a few times to get to the bottom of the reason. That would be the real reason.

Let’s say you selected the reason: ‘My boss is a jerk’.

Why?

‘Well, for one thing, he’s constantly on me to produce’. Ok, why?

‘Well, because he says I’m not seeing enough people, or am I closing enough deals’.

Ok, why?

‘Because it’s harder to make sales. People aren’t buying’.

Sounds like it isn’t the boss after all – it’s you.

That’s not a boss issue. That’s a training, sales skills and intensity issue.

All salespeople suffer from two incurable diseases – the grass-is-always-greener syndrome, and the moth-to-a-light-bulb syndrome.

What are you really looking for?

If you’re going to switch, will this move you up or forward?

Can you fix what you have?

What would you really like to be doing?

If you leave here, where will you go?

What risks do you take by leaving this job?

How will a new job get you closer to your real career goals?

How will a new job get you closer to your real monetary goals?

Moving on

If you decide to leave, don’t leave for the wrong reasons, and don’t leave the wrong way. I have just given you the ‘why’ formula. That will get you to an understanding of your self-thinking. Then there’s the ‘how you will leave’ part.

In this regard, 2.5 more rules apply.

1. Leave professionally. Give notice. Tell the truth.

2. Leave ethically. Give back everything. Don’t ‘take’ anything with you. Especially customer lists or any trade secrets.

2.5 Leave positively. No bad words or lawsuits. Just peacefully go. Leave with your reputation intact. Leave with a reference.

To leave or not to leave? That is the question. Your job is to find the answer; your own answer. It’s a big decision. A career decision. An advancement decision. And yes, a money decision.

I advise you to make sure you know the real reason, and make sure you do it in a way that would make your mother proud.

If you’re one of the fortunate few who love their job, please pass this on to someone whining about how green the grass might be someplace else.

 

Jeffrey Gitomer is an American author, professional speaker and business trainer, who writes and lectures internationally on sales, customer loyalty and personal development. © 2016 All rights reserved. Don’t reproduce this document without written permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer.