A workplace psychometric specialist has outlined a quick 30-second exercise designed to help you figure out whether it’s time to leave your job and pursue something different.
Many people end up staying in the same role for years because it feels familiar and safe. For others, there comes a point where the comfort wears off and the idea of a fresh start becomes hard to ignore.
Resigning is a major life choice, so it makes sense to think it through carefully. You can speak to friends and family for perspective, but you might also want a simple way to sense-check how you really feel.
Psychologist George Sik has shared a short test that aims to do exactly that, as discussed in Metro.
He suggests starting by thinking back to a previous job (or a period within a job) when you felt happiest. From that memory, write down five personal values you connect with that time.
Those values should be positive, and Metro offered examples including “creativity, freedom, ethics, security, autonomy and stability”.
After you’ve chosen your five, compare them to your current role one by one and ask whether each value is genuinely being met. If most of them don’t match your day-to-day work now, it could be a sign you’re no longer in the right place.
“It’s about trying to apply meaning or measurability to things that often can’t be explained – like job satisfaction beyond salary and job title,” the expert said.
“It is key to think about the job you were happiest in. Or moments in a job where you were most satisfied. What did that job feel like for you – where were you proud to describe what you did to people? Where did you feel like the days flew by? Answering the above will reveal patterns in your career so far, which can then be pulled out as characteristics.
“You can also do this by looking at activities you find exciting in your role – meetings (collaboration) vs fewer meetings (autonomy).”
He also explained that the results can be interpreted in a straightforward way: if most of your core values are being met, the job may still be a good fit overall, even if there are frustrations that could be improved with support or better management.
The psychologist added: “If your top five values are being met, or even four out of five, you’ll likely be happy in the role, even if there is some day-to-day tension or problems that could be resolved by your manager.
“However, if three or fewer of your values are being met, it is highly unlikely that your job is ever going to be fixed, and it may be time to move on.”
While any decision to quit should take your finances and circumstances into account, the exercise may be a useful way to quickly assess whether your current role still aligns with what matters most to you.