This isn't the first time I quit my job, but it will be the last. Honestly, saying goodbye to Google was supposed to happen a year ago. And six months before that. If you ask my friends, they'll tell you that I'm kidding myself and Google is too good to let go. They're right, but I promise you that this is it. On October 3rd, I quit. QUIZ:Should You Quit Your Job? Is Google all it's cracked up to be? No. It's better. The grass is greenest at the Googleplex, and I don't have to bore you with the perks because they've been documented ad nauseum. I'm willing to bet my stock that no company treats their employees better, but it comes at a cost. My frat brother said something once that stuck with me, "The grass may be greener, but you better believe the water bill is a lot higher!" He was right. Don't get me wrong, I'm dealing with first world problems, but they're problems nonetheless. The challenge with Google, and any great company, is complacency. You sacrifice tomorrow's potential for today's pleasure. Yes, I'm too comfortable (free food and personal masseuses, anyone?) And life is too convenient (chauffeured shuttles with Wi-Fi to work? Yes please!) But we're too young to settle. Be honest: do you love what you do? Probably not because most of us don’t enjoy our 9-to-5. I started on Wall Street and when I tell you I hated life, I HATED LIFE. Anyone that says they enjoy the long hours and indentured servitude that investment banking brings is lying to you. Then again, we lie to ourselves everyday. The idea that you and I were meant to sit and stare at a computer screen all day is just wrong. But the road to what's right is remote. Here's what it takes to quit your high paying job in pursuit of your dreams in a city as expensive as New York: ditching dinner with friends, lots of cheap beer, saving more than you spend, building a business on the side, five hours of sleep a night, no vacations, missing family functions, skipping weekend weddings, moving from Manhattan - and dating? No time, and couldn't afford it anyways. Who wants to do all that? Who wants to give so much not knowing what they'll get?? Who wants to sacrifice everything for the slim chance they could have anything??? Not me, but what I want doesn’t matter. To get this far I learned that there’s a difference between want and need. The secret? Self-control. Building my blog has been my dream, and it's taken more than a days work. It's taken a few years to be in a position to leave my day job and I've been willing to wait. "If you can wait and not be tired by waiting" ~Rudyard Kipling Today’s timing isn’t perfect, and it never will be. You will always need more money and a perfect plan is hard to come by. What I know now is that today will never be the right time to lose the weight, start that business or find a new job. Neither will tomorrow. Delays cast doubt, and you wind up disputing if it even makes sense to begin. YES! Make moves. The reason why is simple: you are the CEO of your life. The decisions you make today will set the course of things to come. Do something today that will pay dividends down the road. I read once that you should do one thing every day that scares you. I can’t remember the last time I pushed past my limits. What I know now is that you’ll never reach your potential until you assume some level of risk. It doesn’t have to be your job, but leave something behind starting today. Stop settling for what’s good enough and make room for what’s great. In time, what will you give up?
Everyone has heard of New Year's resolutions. You know, those promises we make to ourselves about things we'll do better in the year ahead. Sometimes these resolutions work, while other times we end up with gym memberships we never use! But have you ever heard of a career resolution? It's actually the same thing as a New Year's resolution, only career-focused.
However, with something as important as a career, you don't want to break these resolutions. That's why it's important to keep these goals manageable.
Here are four simple career resolutions that are easy to stick to and achieve.
Be Self-Aware Of Where You Stand In Your Career
BigstockBeing honest and self-aware of where you are in your career is the most important step in making strong career resolutions. If your career is going nowhere and you're unhappy, then it may be time to consider a career change, which will take you down a different path entirely.
But if you're happy and in good standing with your career, it's a lot easier to set goals for the year and build out a long-term career plan.
Find A Way To Grow Your Career
BigstockCareer growth is a very broad spectrum that means something different to everyone. It could be something as simple as improving on a weakness or building on a strength. It could also be learning a new skill or taking on additional responsibilities at work.
On a larger level, it could be seeking a promotion or moving into a leadership role.
Whatever the goal is, make sure it includes growing professionally. The worst thing you can do is stay the same! If you're not growing your career, you're dying—and becoming a lot less valuable to your employer. There are always ways to upskill!
Better Serve Your Professional Network
With current colleagues, former colleagues, and other professional acquaintances, you've probably built a solid professional network through the years. A strong professional network can come in handy if you lose your job or are looking to make a career change. However, you shouldn't just rely on your network when you're in need!
It's important to find ways to offer value to your network. This could include checking in with members of your network from time to time. Exchange messages on LinkedIn to see how they're doing or share relevant content of interest. If you can help someone in your network going through a career challenge, you should!
Maintaining a strong professional network is like an investment. If you want it to pay off, you have to put some time into it and be consistent.
Take Care Of Yourself
Bigstock
Working on your career is hard work! It's okay to be selfish sometimes. Whether you're working to grow your career or looking for a new job, it's important to find balance.
Your family and health always come first, so make sure your career goals don't interfere with that. If you want to set aside time during the week to work on your career that's fine, but don't miss important family events or milestones.
Don't let your career goals get in the way of your health goals. Go to the gym, take a walk, or go for a jog. Balance is key to maintaining healthy career and life goals. Sometimes you just need to adjust that balance as you go.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.