To Go or Not To Go . . .

To go or not to go . . . it's a question asked in a multitude of situations when your personal life is intermingled with your professional life. At some point, most, will be faced with the decision . . . to go or not to go.

Whether your self-employed or have spent years with the same employer, it's likely you've asked yourself, "why should I say" or "why should I go". It's a frightful decision entangled with questions of loyalty, financial sustainability, reputation and pure chance. If you're questioning your position, there's a reason, and it's a question that deserves thought and answer.

Keeping in mind I'm not a business psychologist by any means, I thought I'd share a few OPINIONS based strictly upon my 20 years as a self-employed business owner.

The reasons to "not worry - be happy" . . .
Are you upset over water-cooler gossip or office drama? That's easy, stay out of it and stay at your job. Don't participate, get involved and try to solve other people's problems - simply refer them to a professional. Have you lost a big account and fear you'll be fired over it or eventually anyway? That's weak, buck up and get a new account. If you live in fear, you'll never live.

The reasons to really consider whether it's you or them . . .
Are you unable to spend enough time with your family because work is in the way? Do you feel you've reached your limits of salary increase - or - that the commission structure is unfair? In these situations, I reccommend approaching your leadership and come to an amicable arrangement. If one can't be reached, it's ultimately your decision whether it's going to continue to be your problem - or theirs. If you're self-employed - shame on you - it's you!

The reasons to not let the door hit you in the butt on the way out . . .
If your integrity is or has been placed at risk . . . no fault of your own actions . . . LEAVE AND FIX THE MISTAKE! Especially in reputation driven careers - like mine - you can't afford to have someone elses actions negatively affect your integrity or your bottom line! Do you feel guilty that if you leave to take a better position that betters the life of yourself and ultimately your family, your employer won't be able to sustain his own business? Your loyalty is admirable - but when it really comes down to it - was it your decision to own a business and take on the liability of success or failure or was it theirs? Regardless, improve your standards of living before you improve theirs.

So - are you staying or are you going?
~ L