Understandably, more and more therapists are looking to jump ship, whether in non-clinical positions or leaving therapy altogether. I understand there is compounding stress and burnout as well as a host of other reasons people want to leave. If you find yourself in this group, ask yourself if you are leaving for the right reasons and moving in the right direction?

So before “jumping ship,” I challenge you to pause and carefully consider your strengths & gifts, values, mindset, finances, passion, expectations, personality, work-life balance.

1. CONSIDER YOUR STRENGTHS & GIFTS 

What are your strengths and gifts? If you aren’t sure or if you want to take time to reassess your strengths, ask your friends, family, and colleagues. You may even want to take it a step further and take the Clifton Strengthsfinder assessment. Once identified, consider how you are able to use your strengths in your current role or in other potential roles of interest. Gallup reports that people are much more energized when they use their top strengths on a daily basis.

2. CONSIDER YOUR CORE VALUES

Make a list of your top 5-10 values. If you aren’t sure, click HERE to download The Other Side of Gray’s Values Assessment. Does your current work environment support your values or are does it rub against some of your core values? It may be that inner angst you feel while at work originates from a value conflict. If so, ask yourself if there is something that can be done to resolve this. Or perhaps a similar job at a different company may be the solution. But maybe that core value is linked to a better work-life balance.

3. CONSIDER YOUR MINDSET

How are you judging yourself, others, and your circumstances? What thoughts do you have about your employer, colleagues, your physical work environment, and even your clients? What negative thoughts are coming into your mind? What are you doing with these thoughts? Are you able to dismiss them or do you get sabotaged by them? Sometimes it’s our perspective and thinking that is sabotaging our happiness…and NOT the circumstance itself. Happiness is so elusive. We need to ensure we can be happy in the present before we should expect to be happy in different circumstances. My Mental Fitness Boot Camp can help with this. Click HERE to learn more.  

4. CONSIDER YOUR FINANCES 

Perhaps the potentially new job has better compensation, but at what price? However, it may consist of a decrease in pay. What current financial obligations do you have? If you left your current job, would you still be financially stable, or would you have to work an additional job to make ends meet? To transition into a new job that may require a pay cut, how can you cut your personal expenses? What can you sell? Should you downsize your home? Do you really need Starbucks 3-5 times per week? Once you have gotten clarity and direction toward transitioning into a different career, the financial decisions and personal sacrifices to follow your passion will become easier. Perhaps you will have to pay down debt for a few years and save up money for further education, but at least you’ll know you’re on the right path!

…to be continued in Part II