“Why would you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?”
That’s the most common question I receive when I tell people that my son and I went skydiving on February 1, 2020, just a few days after he turned 18.
First, it was the most exhilarating thing either of us had ever done.
Second, he was preparing to join the military, and the job he was interested in at the time had a “jump” component to it. So, it made sense for him to experience it and see if he would enjoy it before doing it professionally.
Third, I’m not certain anyone would have described our aircraft as a “perfectly good airplane.”
When you’re considering leaving a job that others see as a “perfectly good job,” it’s easy to be dissuaded.
It happens all the time.
It’s helpful when you have someone else there to support you, to guide you through the process. Finding someone else within your organization who is also planning to make the leap can be beneficial. Sometimes, finding a recruiter can help. Just know that if the only people you’re associating with are trying to convince you to stay, you may need to expand your network. It’s good to consider all perspectives, not just one.
It’s also beneficial to know that the company you’re moving to offers something better, something different, and more ‘exhilarating’ than your current place of employment.
Does the new place provide opportunities that you can’t get in your current position in terms of advancement, learning, growth, stability, or balance?
The plane we were in could have (and did) land safely to pick up more jumpers. I wouldn’t have taken it cross-country, but it served its purpose and provided us with the experience we were seeking at that moment.
Likewise, the company you work for will likely continue without you. Others may remain there for years to come.
It’s quite possible that it’s a “perfectly good company,” but it simply isn’t the right fit for you. And that’s okay.
No one should rush into a decision about changing jobs, but you also shouldn’t dwell on it so much that you regret not acting sooner.