Is it really greener on the other side?

What is an ideal job? To some people, it could be a raise in their current payroll. These people could be seeking for new challenges, better environment or job security. It could be because they could not get along with the colleagues or the superior. Whatever the reasons are, job hopping is the trend in this era.

Comparing to the older generations, it is no longer as common to hear people work more than 20 years in the same company. Most of us might even think how these people could survive for such a long period in the company. To survive or not to survive is not what i am going to discuss here.

I have known some people hopping from job to job trying to find their so called ideal job. Some of these people managed to find something that suits their desires at that time. So, they hop. However, not long into their new job, they start to see something amiss in the company which conflicts to their desire. There is about anything and everything that they could think of to complain and to blame. And so, they find any opportunity that they find suitable at that moment and hop. It becomes never ending, top priority activity for these people.

It is true that there are greener patches outside. To me, however, most of the time, it is really how we see things and percept the situations. Before we start complaining about the company and looking for a new job out there, how many of us will think that it might be our incapability to suit the company's requirements and put the blame on ourselves? How many of us will think that we should improve the situation so that we can grow together with the company/colleagues or improve ourselves to another level so that we can get the recognition within the company? Frankly speaking, most of us (including myself) choose the easy way out by leaving the company.

I always love this advice from a friend of mine. He told me that when we are pointing our finger to blame the other party for all the mishaps, always remember that there are 3 fingers pointing back at your ourselves at the same time.

Before giving up just like that and leave the company, the following might be useful to some of us out there as a guidance:

Work is too stagnant; I’m bored and need a change.
Sometimes, it could be you have been working for long hours for consecutive few months to rush up some projects. The fatigueness might be affecting your mood and feelings towards your job. Try to take a few days off or go for a short vacation to refresh.

I’m not adequately compensated.
Sometimes, your boss might be too busy and overlook this. Review and take note on your achievements over the past months; put up an appointment with your boss to discuss. You have to communicate and work things out with them. Also, try to find out the outside market value, how much you are worth with the position you are holding based on the guidelines.

I am not skillful and competent enough so the future in the company is bleak
Research into some suitable courses or training that is able to up scale your skills and knowledge and at the same time the skills you acquire are able to beneficial to the company. Prepare the materials, present it to your boss and get the consent to attend the trainings.

I prefer flexible working hours
First, understand yourself by analyzing what is the number of hours you wish to work, or the days you want to work from home, and convince your superior what benefits this environment will provide to the company.

I do not wish to travel too often.
Discuss rotating into a different assignment for a breather. In some positions travel is a must; but if you can provide value to the company in another role for a short time and revisit your responsibilities with renewed energy, your manager may agree to the idea.

This jobscope of mine is not challenging and satisfying enough.
Write down exactly what additional talents you have to offer, and in what areas. Talk with your manager about taking on additional responsibilities and set forth detailed goals and objectives so that this extra work can be measured and appropriately compensated.

I really cannot tolerate my boss
Speak with a mediator in the human resources department. If it’s just plain incompatibility causing the problem, you may be able to join a different team, or transfer to a different department.

The above are just some guidelines. You may want to try the above options before sacrificing the time and effort you’ve contributed to your company. Come to think of it, sometimes, it is not really greener out on the other side. You can create your own ideal green patch and harvest the crops of your hardwork by changing slightly your perceptions on certain things.