Before you make that big move, ask yourself these questions
We’ve all been there.
That restless feeling creeping in between Monday meetings and late-night LinkedIn scrolls. You catch yourself thinking, Maybe it’s time for something new.
But here’s the truth no one tells you: deciding whether to stay or leave a job isn’t just about the job. It’s about the story you’re telling yourself about your career and where you are in that story.
Sometimes, that restlessness is growth trying to get your attention. Other times, it’s exhaustion masquerading as clarity. For me, switching jobs every four years was about constantly exploring what’s next.
So before you polish your résumé or start drafting your “I’ve decided to move on” post, pause and ask yourself three grounding questions:
1. What am I actually craving?
Is it more autonomy? Better alignment with your values? Recognition? Sometimes the desire to leave isn’t about escaping; it’s about wanting to expand.
2. Have I outgrown the role or the version of myself that took it?
Growth doesn’t always require a new title or employer. It might mean redefining what success looks like for you here and now.
3. If nothing changed externally, what could I change internally?
Could a shift in mindset, boundaries, or how you show up reignite your motivation? Sometimes the first step toward change isn’t moving on but moving differently.
There’s no universal timeline for knowing when to leave. But there’s one reliable sign you’re ready: when your curiosity about what’s next outweighs your fear of losing what you have.
If that sounds like you, it might be time to explore what’s on the other side of “what if.”
And if it doesn’t, maybe the best move right now is staying and shaping the role so it grows with you.
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.