Money as an excuse for not changing careers?

Is economic motivation and need really enough by itself to keep you in your current career? It would appear to be so, as employers continue to have the upper hand in the labour market. The scales are tipped heavily in favour of employers who have used economic reward as the primary lever for ensuring employee retention.

The international economic situation remains bleak in many developed economies and employment opportunities are limited for many workers. It looks like wages are remaining static and the labour situation, for many, is uncertain.  The current economic environment means that many individuals are ever more dependent on their employer.

The need to stay in employment and the lack of alternatives has never been greater.  The need for a regular wage, an extrinsic need, becomes critical.  Individuals rely on this in order to maintain their identity and a lifestyle to which they feel entitled.

For example, this type of need can be the need to re-pay student debt, the need to relieve family pressure or the need to secure employment quickly, to reinforce a successful image. Decisions are typically made based on a ‘need’ rather than a ‘want’. 

This money-orientated approach, though, is at odds with the basic human needs of many.  Research has proven time and again that human needs are not based solely on economic motivation.  Instead research shows that intrinsic needs are based around:

- the need to control as much of our life, including our working environment, as possible

- the need for us to work in our areas of strength and, as-a-result, to be better tomorrow at what we are doing than we are today

- the idea that the work that we are undertaking is bigger than just us and, as a result, has a sustaining element to it.

So don’t use money alone as a justification for staying within your present career; you weren’t designed to be motivated only by it and you wouldn’t be the first, or sole, worker to eventually fulfil your intrinsic needs by successfully effecting a career change.

Author: Simon North -Position Ignition Co-Founder and Guide

www.positionignition.com

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Comments

[Karen F.]

Great article! I agree, no one should ever limit themselves (in terms of job opportunities) because of the money situation. We could all be in well-paying jobs but if the stress level is too high or if the work conditions are too restrictive, there there is simply not enough money in the world that would keep me there!

Karen, The Resume Chick (on Google or Twitter for questions, comments or violent reactions)