Should You Change Jobs? Use the Pillars to Make a Clearer, Smarter Decision
We’ve
all been there. Staring at the ceiling
at 2 a.m. asking, “Should I stay or should I go?”
The decision to leave a job is one of the most personal and high-stakes calls
you can make. And it’s also one of the most overcomplicated. That’s why the Paint
It Red philosophy is the perfect framework for moments like this. Let’s
walk through how the pillars help you cut through the noise and decide with
purpose.
1.
Why We Overcomplicate
This
kind of decision is ripe for overthinking:
- “What
if I regret it?”
- “What
will people think?”
- “What
if the next job isn’t better?”
We
turn it into a mental chess match. But the truth is, staying in the wrong role
just because the next one isn’t guaranteed? That’s not logic, that’s fear
wearing a suit.
Ask:
What facts am I using, and what stories am I telling myself?
2.
The Rake Theory
Sometimes,
staying put is just stepping on the same rake again and again:
Toxic culture.
Poor leadership.
Misalignment.
If you’re constantly drained, frustrated, or undervalued. That’s a pattern. And it won’t fix itself.
Ask:
Am I holding on to comfort, or stepping over a clear red flag?
3.
Control Bias
You
can’t control the economy. You can’t control your boss’s behavior. But you can
control your effort, your mindset, your boundaries, and your next move.
Ask:
What part of this situation is actually mine to own?
4. The Five Closest People
What
are the people around you saying? Are they challenging you to grow or keeping
you stuck with safe advice? Surrounding yourself with people who’ve made bold,
smart changes can change how you see your options.
Ask:
Are my five closest people expanding my vision or reinforcing my fear?
5.
Stoicism
Big
decisions require calm, not chaos. If you’re making the leap out of frustration
or fear, it might not stick. Stoicism teaches us to separate emotion from
action.
Ask:
Am I acting with intention or reacting out of emotion?
6.
Process-People-Product
Break
your job down:
- Is
the process (how things get done) broken?
- Are
the people (your team or leaders) misaligned?
- Is
the product (the work itself) unfulfilling?
If
one of those is off, you may be able to fix it. If all three are off, it might
be time to move on.
Ask:
Is this a role I can shape, or one I need to walk away from?
7.
Minimalism
Simplify
the question. Don’t try to predict every outcome or compare every possible
option. Get back to the core:
Ask:
Will staying in this job bring me closer to the life I want or further away?
In
the End
Changing
jobs isn’t a rash move it’s a bold one. Don’t stay stuck in indecision. Don’t
cling to complexity. Use the pillars. Trust your patterns. And when the answer
becomes clear?
Paint
it Red. And move on.
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