CHAOS TRANSFORMED

Confusing Fear For Loyalty

I’m not going to sugarcoat this, you aren’t staying because of loyalty or safety. You (and by you, I mean my younger self as well) are staying out of fear.

Fear of being interviewed and judged for what we can contribute. Fear of the unknown work environment and people. Fear of leaving before you extracted everything you can from the place that worked you to the bone.

All valid fears, but once understood it is time to address them. Not what I did; which is stay another three years out of “loyalty” to a company that took a “chance on me.”

Not being afraid to apply for other jobs or asking for a raise based on skills you found for similar roles. Not hoping that a recruiter would reach out to you on LinkedIn because your skillset matches the role they are trying to fill that comes with better pay, work/life balance, and opportunity for growth.

No, those daydreams just delayed the inevitable. The steps you can control include updating your résumé, applying for jobs that interest you, interviewing, and networking as you go through the process.

Some people are lucky or magnetic enough to get jobs through friends, family, or other close connections. For the rest of us, time to buckle down and take action toward your dreams.

After realizing that my bonuses and raises were not increasing based on my skillset (learned this by talking to others who left for better opportunities), I started applying for jobs that matched the value I believed I could add to the team/project. I got an interview, aced it, and got a nice pay boost.

The new job had its challenges, but doing this helped me get out of the mindset that I had to stay at my first company or that I was incapable of finding a place that valued me.

After leaving, I learned that I am more capable than the evaluations or opinions of others. I am more resilient and charismatic than I originally thought.

As I navigated this mindset that I had to stay out of safety and fear, I knew when my ideal position presented itself, I would not hesitate. It did a couple years later and I am exactly where I want to be.

So please don’t make my mistake of forcing yourself to stay out of “loyalty” or safety. Overcome that fear with action, and get the job you deserve.

Have you stayed a job or situation due to fear of the unknown ?

To see more of my content :

@chaostransformed