Job Discussion Forums

ibasiram · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 107

Hi guys,

I've been here teaching in the same school in hte same city for about 4 years now and the spark is going out of it. It may be time to move on.

Does there come a time when you get tired of the same thing and same people every day?

How do you know when it's time to leave and move on to pastures new?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: How do you know it's time?

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

I'm sure something will eventually come along to strongly suggest that you do move on or 'tell' that you should. Either that, or force you to move on.

For example; I left Indonesia because of the financial and currency crash. It was just impossible for us to carry on.

Like I have done, you'll most likely thank God it did come along, because, as in my case, it worked out much for the better.

A colleague of mine got fired from his job. He's also going great guns elsewhere. Another got dumped by her indonesian boyfriend of several years. She felt sick as a parrot and, psychologically, had to leave. I think she's now out of this gig and doing something more to her liking.

My contract in Syria has packed up (alto the guy there says it may restart) so I had to leave there. Found a more rewarding job elsewhere (although not quite as pleasant).

I mean, I could go on.

Best of luck ... when the time comes.
Basil Smile

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Hi ibasiram,

People leave jobs (of any kind) through lack of motivation and what that motivation is depends on you. Some people are in this gig for the money, others for the satisfaction of educating, some for the cross-cultural experience, or quite possible a mixture of reasons. I do what I do because it isn't monotonous, allows me to save a bit and I enjoy it (or at least not hate it as much as I'm sure I would hate a lot of alternative jobs).

If you're not earning enough to set yourself financial or material goals and if the cultural experience is starting to wear thin, then I think your current disatisfaction is perfectly normal. Perhaps it is time for a change - you could try a new location to jump-start the cultural aspect again or alternatively you could push yourself professionally and aim for better renumeration and the benefits that brings.

Lots of people languish in jobs and 'get tired of the same thing and the same people'. I would say this is pretty much the norm. If you are solvent (i.e. not burdened down with too much debt, mortgages, student loans or whatever) then what's stopping you making some positive changes?

How do you know when it's time to leave or make a change? Probably when you posting about it on Dave's! Razz

All the best with any choices you make!
Mike

ibasiram · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 107

Thanks, guys - very interesting to read about your answers Smile

Hey, never cease to be amazed, I always think about chucking people out the window...normal for me... Wink

And Mike 2007, maybe you're right - when you post on Daves about such a topic, that might mean that the time has come... You're kinda right about the culture wearing thin...I just feel I've been there done that with this country...anyway, got until the summer when my contract ends to decice Smile

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

A woman worked at my university for about 8 years. She left only because, so she said, there was no longer a challenge for her.

Right after she left, I came and picked up on a huge challenge. So there are perceptions and personal goals...

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

When you dread going to work, then it's time.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject:

I'm with Glenski.
When it came to the end of my first contract, I had to decide whether or not I wanted to go through the tenureship process or move on. I decided that I really enjoyed the job and my life outside of work in the town (in this case there are no other schools to work at in this town, so just changing schools wasn't an option.) I learned a lot that first year and the job was a real and fairly exciting challenge for me. I decided I'd stay on "until I got board with it". Well, 11 years later and I'm still here. It's a unique job in that if offers sabbaticals so you can renew yourself without quiting, and you can do as much or as little "extra" as you like. A couple of years I've just eased through, teaching tried and true lessons while focusing more on my personal life. Other years I've tried new techniques, and prepared conference presentations and focused more on my professional life.

I also agree, that if you are driven to make this post, if just may be time. Wink