488 | Leaving Your Job: The Right Way, The Right Time

Chris Locurto 0:00
Transitions can be stressful. On today's episode, we're talking about what it's like to leave a job. So if there's never been a better time for you to do so, than what is holding you back, we're going to be talking about all of that coming up next.

Chris Locurto 0:26
Welcome to the Chris Locurto´s show where we discuss leadership and life and discover that business is what you do, not who you are.

Chris Locurto 0:38
Welcome to the show, folks. Hope you're having a fabulous day, wherever you are. Today, we're talking about transition. And we're talking about what it's like to leave a job the right way, the right time, all of that, before I get into any of my details, because there's certain things that I'm going to mention. And I definitely don't want them to be taken out of context. So please understand, let me set the context. For what I'm talking about. Right now, I am somebody who has worked many jobs to put food on the table. So please do not hear from me that I think that you should not be out there busting your butt, putting food on the table, working hard, working multiple jobs, if you have to, to take care of yourself, your family, your home, all that kind of stuff. So please understand that is the context as we go forward. There's a lot of people out there who preached this crazy concept that you should only go after a dream job, right? We're going to talk about going after a dream job today. But here's what I want you to know, that is not going to be my advice to you. My advice to you is if all of your bases are covered, and you're good to go.

Chris Locurto 1:49
Or if the dream job pops up, that's great. But what I don't want you to do is not be busting your butt, waiting around for a dream job or not be out there, you know, putting food on your table, taking care of your family, because you're going after something that's not paying you. So please understand, that's the context, as we go into this episode. Always, always, always be working to put food on your table to put a roof over your head, you know, gas in your car, all that kind of stuff, that always trumps everything else that we're going to talk about. Now, with that being said, let me speak to my

Chris Locurto 2:27
low conflict loving people, I can also tell you, as somebody who has a very high s on the DISC profile, that there have been times that I have questioned whether or not I should leave a place this is all in my very younger years. That was a crappy place to be. Because I didn't like the conflict of leaving, or I was worried that wasn't going to find something better or so that's all of my younger younger years. You know, my probably my teens and 20s.

Unknown Speaker 2:57
So I know there's a lot of folks who are 4050 that are afraid to leave a job because they're afraid of the conflict. So let me push on you slightly a little bit here. As we go through this process I want you to be thinking about is that holding you back as well. So let's jump in, there are few transitions in life more stressful than leaving permanent employment. I mean, that's, that's definitely got to be way up there at the top right. So in fact, many people will stay on in the wrong job, and during drudgery and during hardships or even even sometimes low level abuse or even decent amount of abuse in order to avoid the uncertainty of unemployment and job searching and all that kind of junk that comes with it. Right. So here's the question that I have for you. Is that you? Do you hate Mondays? Do you

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dread going to the office? Have you lost your passion for what you're doing?

Chris Locurto 3:58
Are you the person who can't stand being on that Zoom call? Or do you feel like you're on the wrong team? Or you don't fit in? Well, believe it or not, according to the Harvard Business Review the question, Am I doing what is right for me? Or should I change direction is one of the most pressing questions in the mid career professionals mind today?

Chris Locurto 4:21
That is something that a lot of people are asking. Right? And, you know, rightly so there's plenty of opportunities out there. I've got some of my, my older friends and clients, you know, that come from a generation before me who were you know, especially the guys were raised in a place where Hey, you, you you stay in that job no matter what. Because it was coming out of you know, hardships and taking care of the family and all that kind of stuff. While there's there's a lot of options today. Do I think you should bounce around like crazy like the young folks do, you know, no more than two and a half years per job? No, that's not what I'm saying either. But do I think you have to

Chris Locurto 5:00
Stay at a job for 4050 years that you don't like? No, I don't think that either. So the signs are green for go right now. So as of summer 2022. Now we're going to be talking about all US employment, I know there is a bunch of you out there that are all over the world that listen to this show. I don't have your stats. So we're only going to be focusing on the US. The US unemployment rate has fallen to 3.5%. The employment to population ratio, which is the proportion of the country's working age population that is employed, is right at about 60%. So the US job market is strong, it's even surging according to many economists, jobs are growing, job seekers are becoming more active signs are good for those who want to make a change. So what is the problem? Well, if you live in Middle Tennessee, like me, then you've probably seen the signs. What are those signs? You've heard me say before on the show, the one ads, they're in the windows, they're in the lawns, in front of businesses, they are all over the place, there are jobs everywhere, people will actually pay you to work for them. I know. It's incredible. It's crazy.

Unknown Speaker 6:22
This new concept, hey, come work for us. We'll give you money.

Chris Locurto 6:26
There's plenty of jobs. So are you stuck in front of a stop sign? Is there something that is holding you back? Why are so many people reluctant to enter or shift positions even you don't even have to leave the place you're in? What if you just shifted the position that you're in in the workforce. So Well, coming out of the instability and uncertainty of the pandemic? It seems folks are waiting for something waiting for, you know, to see if there's going to be locked downs, again, if that if that's going to happen again, waiting to see if the economy is going to slip into a recession, we've had a whole ton of fear and you know,

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struggle around the concept of what if we go back into recession, there's a whole lot of hesitation waiting to see what's going to happen politically. And I get that I understand all of that. It's anybody's guess what's going to happen.

Chris Locurto 7:18
But here's the deal. That's not really what's important. Honestly, why? Because today may be your best opportunity in recent times to make a transition for the better. It's the right economy. Jobs abound. Employers are on the search for skilled and steady workers. So let's get to work. That is what we're going to be talking about when we come back three steps to help you make a change or reengage the workforce right after this.

Chris Locurto 7:53
Hey, leaders, this is Joel Fortner VP of leadership development at Crystal Kardos. Company. I have some questions for you. Do you as a leader feel like you are caught up in a Crazy Cycle of stress and tasks that never ends week to week? Do you ever have to deal with tough conversations with team members? And you sit at home the next day the night before? Worried about how's it going to go? What am I going to say? What are they going to say? Can I think fast enough on my feet? Is it going to be a total failure? Are you experiencing culture problems or that stuff that just breaks down trust and unity on your team? Well, if you're if you can relate to any of this, this is a pretty typical leadership story and situation. Here's the thing though it doesn't have to be that way. And we can help you solve these things, we can help you become the leader that solves these problems and leads 13th to greater success. I want to introduce you to the key leaders program. This is an ongoing leadership development program that gives you the lesson track coaching and accountability. You need to become the leader you can become to actually implement what you're actually learning in this program. Things Fall Apart without great leadership and intentionality. If you want to solve the problems that are holding you back from being a great leader, we can help you with this program get in touch job, Chris accardo.com.

Chris Locurto 9:20
So let's talk about creating your personal transition plan. So you're on the hunt for the ideal position, the ideal team, the ideal environment for you to work in a place for you to flourish. Maybe you haven't thought about finding a place that you can flourish in I highly suggest that you do

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find the kind of place you want to be and maybe you're stuck in your current position and it's not a good fit for you. Maybe you're trying to reengage and let me say this

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take away. As we get into a bunch of this information. Here's what I want you to do. I want you to take away any peer pressure

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any any thing that

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anybody's telling you that you have to do or anything that somebody is telling you is is not good enough for you.

Chris Locurto 10:08
As you focus on getting the right position, the right place to flourish, what do you want to be? What do you want to do? So as we go through this stuff, I want you to not go, Well, everybody's told me that I need to be a CPA. So obviously, that's the place I need to be. That's not what I don't want you to think that way. There are so many different jobs open right now. It is great, you know, as we run this amazing business and, and help out so many people in so many individuals and business owners and leaders and teams and all this kind of stuff, we also have a farm that we have been setting up, that I get to work on once or twice a week, depending upon what day it is and get things going. And I love it because I have team members up there that work full time. And they absolutely love working outside in the elements, doing things with their hands doing things that they love, they would not want to sit in an office, right? So it is if that's something that reaches your heart, we just hired somebody, another person, literally last night,

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did the spousal interview last night, we heard today

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somebody who is working with the gardening the we have a big market garden that we're doing, we have stuff that we're doing to provide for, for people around and a lot of this stuff is actually going to

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a nonprofit that puts food on people's tables. And that person loves has never done that and is loving being out in the environment that they've worked for us for a while as a part time. And they've loved being in the environment. So as I'm saying this, as I go through these things, I don't want you to just think well, I need to the thing that I need to flourish in has to fit what everybody's told me I need to do or what I've always imagined I had to do. Don't think that way. All right. I want your mind to be open as we go through these questions. So it can be tough to get the wheels in motion. So where do we begin? So here are three steps. Step number one, write down what you're not looking for. Okay? So what's wrong with where you are now, be specific, and I am not, I do not want you to be a victim, please, please do not be a victim to where you are right? Write down the things that don't fit. itemize the things be specific about the things that you're just like, I just don't, I don't like this. So let's say you are that person who hates working inside in an office? Well, that would be one of those things, right? But if what you're writing down is oh my gosh, my mean boss doesn't let me use the microwave for lunch. Well, okay, stop. That's, that's probably not a reason to leave a job. But it may be an indicator that there's more other things that are going to be piling up behind it. The key is here, don't be a victim, just write down be specific and itemize the things that don't really work out for you, you know,

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be realistic.

Unknown Speaker 13:04
What's not a fit for you? The people, the environment, the ideology, if that's a bad fit, those are big things that's not victimizing. Right. If you have a company that has a mission that does not align with you, then it's probably someplace you want to get out of. If they have ideology that does not align with you, then there may be something that you want to get out of what's lacking in your resume, whether it's skills experience, or does this fit your personality style. Now, if you have not done your personality profile, if you've not done a disc, you need to do this, I highly suggest before we get into step number two, if you've not spent time doing this, go to Crystal credit.com into the store and take the personality profile, take the personality test the DISC profile, you can do the disc and values, I think that's really important as well. But at the bare minimum, go do the disk, get that thing and get the free download to take a look at your life systematically. It's called the Healthy vineyard workbook, make sure that you get that download as well. This helps you kind of take a look at you. This will prepare you for what's next, right? So get a really good understanding of what's not working, what doesn't align. What aspects of mission and ideology or personality style is not aligning with you today. All right, now we're ready for step number two.

Unknown Speaker 14:32
Write down what you are looking for. Take a hard look. And I'm this folks. This should probably not take you you know three minutes. If you've got this written down in three minutes. You're probably not going deep enough. I want you to take a long look at a lifelong career trajectory. What are you looking for what what fits in what you've been doing? Well Chris, after

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got four jobs back there that were never passions of mine, right? Guess what, every single job that I've had since I was 14 years old, is utilized in the business that I run.

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There's nothing that I've done, that hasn't had an impact one way shape or form on the business that on pointing on the business that we run here,

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every bit, and it also has effects on the other businesses that we own as well. So don't look back on something. Well, I was a cashier back at the gas station, and I don't see how that, trust me take a look at the trajectory you're on. What did that do for you to have that customer service, you know, learning and experience? And, you know, well, I was a cook in a restaurant, and all I did was cook the same food every day. Okay, well, what did that teach you about serving people and taking care? So take a look at this career trajectory? Is God doing something? Is God compiling these things and pointing you in a specific direction? So where are you headed? What is a good fit for you? Where would you like to be and make these specific? In two years? Where would you like to be in five years? Where would you like to be? In 10 years, if you want to set out a great trajectory. And let me put another caveat in here, I believe, move forward with what God's telling you to do. This is going to help you to get some of that information out and spend time in prayer on all of this stuff, right? Listen to what God's telling you to do. But what do you want to be? What about 10 years from now? What does that look like? Right? Well, but where I want to be in two years and 10 years are two totally different things great.

Unknown Speaker 16:47
You do not have to narrow yourself down to a 50 year career, folks, you just don't have to do it. So you're saying I could work doing this over here for now and then shift and do this over here? Yep, absolutely.

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There's no great rules to this. The bit, the big rules, were the caveats on the front of the show, put food on your table, take care of your family, right, don't be a victim, busted, you know, do those things, and then plan these other parts out. So this isn't just dreamily gazing at the stars and wishing things were different, right, we're not sitting down and just going, Oh, I wish, I wish God would change things. I wish things were different. This is actually taking steps this needs to be based on what you know about you. Your personality style, this matters greatly, it's got to be based on your personality style. Don't go after something that your personality style is absolutely going to hate. You know, if you're somebody

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you know, super high C, you know, mid to low s very low, I probably don't put yourself in, you know, hospitality two years from now, that's probably not something, you know, being in front of people that you're absolutely going to love. So make sure that the things that you're thinking about align with your personality style. Now, you might need others to kind of speak into this. And sometimes it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. So make sure you're choosing healthy advisors, right? Get people who know you who aren't going to try and steer you in a direction that they want you to go, who aren't going to try and knock you down. Oh, you shouldn't be leaving, you shouldn't be going after your dreams because they're struggling with not going after their dreams. Make sure you're picking somebody healthy. Somebody knows you, somebody who's healthy, who can speak into this as well and take their advice with a grain of salt, right? So maybe it works. Maybe it doesn't. I am somebody who gains a ton of perspective. I love asking people their opinions. I love seeing what people know what they think what they experience, it doesn't mean that I take it all it means I take it all in. So many times, I might go to somebody just to see what they're thinking. And if they're way off from, you know, if I see that they're taking it personally, or they're making it about them. Don't take that advice. But if I see that somebody has some great healthy advice I'll never forget.

Unknown Speaker 19:16
When I started this business, you know, I just thought the beginning was going to be so small. And a buddy of mine, Tony check went with me I was looking at places to start the business to to buy a building. I really wasn't even looking to buy a building. I was looking to buy a little loft above downtown Franklin. And I thought, you know, this thing is gonna grow slowly. And we went in, and I had Tony with me and he looked at the place and he goes, Chris, I don't think this is it. And I was like you're kidding why he goes because it's small. Because I don't think you're preparing for how fast this is gonna grow and what this is going to do. And I needed that in that moment because part of me was saying wow,

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I'm, you know, I don't expect it to be huge right off the bat. Well, praise God, I had Tony with me somebody speaking into my life. Because instead of buying the that place, which would have been fun and cool, it was, you know, a loft above downtown Franklin, I went and bought a bigger place. And within one year's time, I bought the place next to that. So it was really good having somebody with me to give good healthy information, that's what you're looking for. So why don't we come back and getting out of the head fog and onto the path that's right for you.

Unknown Speaker 20:40
Freedom, it's so powerful, I felt rejuvenated, almost renewed, I just felt so welcomed and loved and accepted for who I am, and not an ounce of judgment. So I was very comfortable there, that had a really big impact on me, that's going to be worth it. It's going to be hard. But it's going to be even better. On the other side. For me, it was just, it was just very refreshing. And I'm gonna say lifegiving. For me, it really was, you know, I would go to next level life again. And probably again, and probably again, because it's so powerful, I want you to ask yourself a question. Could you hear the sense of hope and freedom and their voice is just that I want you to know, that could be you. Look, it's easy to get trapped in old habits, negative thought patterns and unhealthy relationships, it's gonna take some work. But yes, there is hope for you. If you want to experience the same kind of life transformation, this same kind of self awareness and freedom that they have. Or maybe you're just curious what the process would look like for you, then head on over to Chris accardo.com/next level life.

Unknown Speaker 21:54
Now, before we get to step three, I'm promoting my own stuff here, I want to, I want to tell you to consider something and I want you to really think about this. There's many of you out there that have not gone through next level life yet. And some of the reasons are just terrible. Some of you, it breaks my heart, you think you don't deserve it. You think that it's for other people, and it's not for you. And that is a lie from hell. Cut is a lie from Satan. Let me just say that right now. That is not how God sees you. You should not see you that way. It is not about deserving to go through that event. That event is powerful, and it guides you closer to God. And it gives you phenomenal perspective on your life, and gives you phenomenal path going forward. So if that's the thing that you're telling yourself, and it breaks my heart to know that there are many, not just one, not two, not three, there have been many people over the years that that's the lie that they tell themselves that, oh, well, my spouse deserves it, but I don't deserve it. I shouldn't go and do that thing. You got to get that out of your head. Or if you think it's going to be too much conflict. Trust me. I think we're over 500 events at this point. And nobody has come back and said, Well, that was too much conflict for me. I couldn't handle it. Are there tough parts? Of course, there are tough parts. What's the biggest fear of everybody? Well, I don't know, we're gonna discover I don't know, we're gonna find out. And I always say it's the same exact fear that every person has walking through the door. And I always say the same thing. Do you think we're going to find something that you don't already know about? Are we going to guide you to some eye opening things? Absolutely. Are you going to see things from different perspectives? Absolutely. But you're not going to all of a sudden find out something horrible about yourself that you never knew, right? And I mean, many people have have thought that so those are my caveats as I go into this, when you're looking for change in life, to better your life, to grow your life, for a better career trajectory, or whatever it is, I want you to highly consider going through next level life after you dig into that, you know, I talked about that free healthy vineyard download, which is just powerful. It can help you to see things through your root system that are holding you back from reaching your potential. Go through that, dig through that. And then if you would like to just get information, go to Chris ducker.com. Click on the what we do button and go to the life coaching and take the the next easy step. This is a personalized two day event for you. This is not a group event. If you want to bring your spouse you can if you don't have to bring your spouse you don't have to no problem with that. This is one on one me and you Jolin you whatever it is. This is a personalized event. I say all of that because this is a powerful point for a lot of folks in their career, to recognize the things that have been holding them back from moving forward from moving into a better career from, you know, getting rid of the fear of conflict, from feeling not worthy enough to take on another job from fear of man's opinion.

Unknown Speaker 25:00
So, it's a lot of info, but folks, I'm telling you, the results are incredible when you're able to move forward and go, Okay, or even decide to stay exactly where you are, and put in better boundaries or make better decisions, right? It's just a powerful piece. So, now that I've said that onto step three,

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step three is I want you to write down what you're doing to get there.

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What are you literally doing, not just dreaming, not just thinking about it, not just hoping for it? What are you literally doing to get to the place you want to be make a task list of what you can do right now to prepare for where you want to go?

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What are the things that you can be putting in place? Hey, worst case scenario here, right? You make a great task list, and you go after stuff, and it makes the place you're at better, right? So listen, do this, spend time, make a task list of the things you can do right now to prepare, where you want to go? Or where you think you're headed? Also, what new skills do you need or do need to improve on, don't sit there thinking I'm not worthy of you know, gaining new skills. Now, listen, don't go put yourself in 47 hours a day of schooling and your kids don't know who you are, and your spouse doesn't know who you are. Because it's so important for you to get a new skill, right? Build it into what you have available. Remember your priorities, right? So take care of your family, all that kind of stuff. But find a way that doesn't sacrifice family and definitely doesn't sacrifice your time with God. To build a new skill, if you need it, maybe you don't maybe you've already got the skills, maybe what you need to improve on is small. Maybe it's not even that big at all. Maybe it is big, just depending upon what it is. Write that down? What new skills do you need or need to improve on? Also, how can you start actively seeking the right opportunities? Now? What does that look like? What does it look like to

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make some phone calls into some companies and just gain perspective? Ask questions about roles, even if you don't send in a resume? What if you just go shadow someplace one day or you know, just get a bunch of information on what it's like to be in this role that you're thinking about? So let's kind of ideated a little bit on that last point. So who are the right people, for you to associate with right already in the genre that you're looking at the type of market, you're looking at the sector you're you're interested in? Are there people, right people that you can start associating with other people, you can start hanging out with other people, you can just go and tax the collective intelligence and gain information on right. What are the right skill sets? mindsets experience that you need to move you into that?

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Ideal? I don't want to say perfect position, but ideal position, that dream position, right? What do you need? What are the right skill sets? And where can you go to even be a part of that? What if it's just starting out by being a part of a group that's doing this specific thing, right? Also for the people of faith? Have you asked God to open your eyes? Have you spent time praying to God to open your eyes to open the doors to bring opportunities to you? Listen, he already knows the best path for your career. Here, he knows the best path for your life. You need that old saying, don't ask God to bless what you're doing, find out what he's doing. Jump on board with that because it's already blessed. Right? So spend time in prayer getting him to tell you what you should be doing and where you should be going. Consider this from the book of Proverbs chapter three. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do. And he will show you which path to take. And folks, let me say that that is my prayer for you. So a final word of advice as you're waiting for the Lord to show you which path to take.

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Do not give up on where you are. Finish your current job well. Do your work as unto the Lord.

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Do not give up because you're now looking for something new or you're thinking about something new or you're you're dreaming about or not dreaming but tasking a new opportunity in the future. Finish your current job well do this. Well. God has blessed you with this opportunity that you're in even though it may for some of your like this send the blessing. Hey, is it putting food on your table? I'll never forget. I was talking with Zig Ziglar years ago when we did some events with him.

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And he was talking about a gallon in

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In a booksigning line that came up and she was just complaining and complaining about our business, I was right down the street. And Zig just said, Do they pay you a paycheck? Well, yes. Can you take that paycheck and put food on your table? Well, yes. And does that put a roof over your head? Well, yes. And can you pay for your car? Well, absolutely, but, and he just went through this list of things. And he goes, Well, it sounds like you have some things that you're blessed with some things that you can be happy for.

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And that kind of changed that person's perspective, it doesn't mean that the place was a great place, it doesn't mean that you should sit in a crappy place. That's not his point. His point was, just because you may be in a place you don't like, and I have had those jobs again.

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You know, early 20s, late teens, just because you you may be in a place you don't love you're not crazy about it doesn't mean that it's not a blessing of God doesn't mean that you aren't blessed with the paycheck that you take home. So finish your current job really well. Exit plans are great, and it's fine to execute one, but character and endurance and faithfulness are all super important, especially, especially as your wedding. If you cannot have endurance, if you cannot have great character where you are right now, as you're thinking about transitioning, what in the world are you going to take with you?

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What do you expect to have? Well, I'll beef up my character, I'll bring out all my great character at the new job. Now if you can't have it where you are, trust me, it's going to be the same exact thing where you get to So finish well, so don't be better. Don't be struggling in the waiting, be patient in door and wait on the Lord. Well, folks, hopefully that has helped you today. As always, I want you to take this information once you change your leadership, change your business, change your life. And join us on the next episode.