The power of choice: how knowing you have options can make you connect more with your current job

I recently worked with a client who had a successful career in product marketing but the appeal was beginning to pall. She was looking for a pastures new but was the grass necessarily greener?

We explored her rationale for change: some of it was around fear of becoming out of date and losing her job, and some of it was around being rather bored with what she was doing. We looked at the options available that included tweaking her skillset to become more marketable in the current role; retraining on a major scale to change career; and repositioning herself off the back of transferable skills and experience into a different role.

My client chose the first option to make some minor tweaks and remain in post. You might ask then, why on earth did see need to use a career coach if the outcome was to stay put?

In realising she had choices my client’s perspective and sense of empowerment shifted. Instead of feeling trapped and stagnant, she realised she had control over her career, making her more invested in her job.

When you feel your job is a choice rather than an obligation, you are more likely to commit to it wholeheartedly. This commitment often results in improved job performance and a stronger work ethic, as you see your efforts as investments in your career, not just tasks to complete.

Knowing you have options in your career allows you to approach your job with a healthier work-life balance. You are less likely to overextend yourself or feel compelled to put in excessive hours because you recognize that your happiness and well-being are essential, and you have the power to explore other avenues if necessary.

With the realization that you have options, you are more likely to actively seek out opportunities for professional growth within your current job. You may be motivated to take on new challenges, attend training programs, as my client did, or engage in skill development, all of which can lead to career advancement and personal fulfilment.

The shift in mindset brought about by knowing you have options can also improve your relationships with colleagues. When you are content with your job and confident in your choices, you are more likely to approach your co-workers with a positive and collaborative attitude. This can lead to better teamwork and a more supportive work environment.

My client’s story in staying put is not unique, career change is invigorating but hard work, and not for everyone. Knowing you have choices can transform your job into a meaningful and fulfilling part of your career journey. Embrace the power of choice, and you may find that the grass is greener exactly where you are, even if it’s just for the time being.