Strength to Strength

When thinking about increasing your income, starting a new job or career can seem like an easy path towards making more money. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Maybe. But here’s what I’ve learned about greener pastures in my life: if I’m not watering the grass under my feet today, then the greener grass I’m moving to will die as well. 

If you aren’t happy with the job you have, if you think you’re being under paid or under valued, or if you feel you keep being overlooked for promotions, changing companies or careers should not be your first move. 

In his book from 1902, As a Man Thinketh, James Allen says, “”Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are… Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves.” 

Before we move to a new job, we must first ask ourselves if we have done the deep and difficult work of looking into the mirror. Could it be that we aren’t bringing our best selves to the workplace? Could it be that we have been checked out because we haven’t felt appreciated in so long? Could it be that others are more valuable to the organization and we haven’t done a good enough job at increasing our value?

Next week, I am going to discuss changing careers that more align with your purpose. However, I want to first state that we must solidify our current position and bring as much value to the organization we are in today before making a move. In other words, we need to water the grass where our feet are planted before jumping the fence to the other side. 

We aren’t watering the grass around us simply for the benefit of the organization we currently work for. We’re watering the grass because of who it is forcing us to become. We are watering the grass because we know that the skills of increasing value are universal and will translate to a new position at a new company in the future. 

If, however, we don’t move from strength to strength and instead try to start a new career after leaving one we didn’t fully commit ourselves to, we will be starting from the ground up as we work to build a new life. When we strengthen where we are before making a move, it is as if we are getting a running start into our new position. 

As I am interviewing people in my business, the number one trait I am looking for is how they are applying themselves in their job today. Are they in a strong position in their current company or are they running away from “problems” hoping that this new job will solve them? We always look for people who are successful today and are looking for more opportunities in a new position or to join a business that will help them grow to the next level. 

I ask myself this question whenever I am going to do anything new: Am I moving from strength to strength or am I hoping this “new” thing solves my problems? 

I’d encourage you to ask this question when considering changing careers or organizations. Are you watering the grass around you to the best of your ability? If you are, then you are in a strong position and can begin looking for the next strong position to contribute your value! 

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Zach Santmier is the owner of Trumble Agency, Inc. and the author of the personal financial course, Increase. He focuses on helping families escape paycheck to paycheck living so they can freely pursue their ideal future.