As it becomes easier and ‘safer’ for individuals to change jobs - and even change from one career to another – companies are finding it necessary to protect their investments in recruiting and training employees. I have often been told that organisations are reluctant to invest time and resources in training employees because they leave after a while anyway.

The main reasons people resign from their jobs are:

Better opportunity elsewhere

Commuting

Lack of opportunity in current position

Salary

Unfavourable or lack of bonus plans

Lack of training

Unfair labour practices

Personality clashes

Boredom with job

Those who resign from their jobs usually fall into one of two categories:

They change their focus in career completely from one thing to something completely different.

They are escaping an unhappy environment. This can be anything from an insensitive boss to poor advancement opportunities or just not liking to commute. Sometimes, people in this situation aren't particularly looking for a new job, but they receive an offer from a different company that offered them a better salary, benefits, more interesting work etc.

Make a list of why you want to resign to see which category you fall into. Are you truly ready to make this change? Have you exhausted all your options with your present company first? Have you spoken to your boss about how your situation might be improved? Is it just a matter of more money or does it go deeper? If it's a problem with your boss, can you make a lateral move in the present company? It may not be in your best interest to leave if it is a minor problem. You'd be surprised at how valuable you are to your company.

Why don’t we do what we really want? What prevents us from reaching our goals and dreams?

It could be:

Financial or family obligations

Lack of skill and knowledge

Feeling that your dreams are just dreams

Physical restrictions

Fear of failure

Fear of success

Fear of rejection

The belief that you don’t deserve it

Lack of self-confidence or self-worth

Dr Phil said: “We create our own experiences. Create experiences you want instead of suffering through experiences you don’t want.”

What would creating ‘a new you’ do for you?

Optimism about your future

You will truly experience life

You will live in the moment

You will discover your own creativity

You will have better communication with others

You will find your purpose in life

You will experience joy and happiness every day

Be the person you always dreamt about

The process of your reaching your dreams is important, and as part of that process you need to: Define your dream.

Answer these two critical questions:

What do you want?

How would you know when you get it?

In order to answer these two critical questions, you must explore:

Your passions

Your strengths and weaknesses

Your values

The needs that are underlying your passion

Your choices

Narrow your dream

In order to create the ‘new you’ you need to develop a ‘new you’ mindset:

Ask and accept help from others

Start giving back in return

Do not settle for less

Change your beliefs and negative self-talk with affirmations

Do a SWOT analysis on yourself (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)

Embrace the opportunities you have – work with it

Be honest about your shortcomings – decide to make positive changes

Embrace all the positives in your life and create more

Stop fretting over things you cannot control

Embrace your own uniqueness

Decide to be optimistic about the future

What are the possible obstacles that could prevent you from reaching your goals?

Age

Money

Location

Health

Education

Timing

Fear of success or failure

Self-esteem and self-worth

Make a list of obstacles that may prevent you from reaching your goals. Then decide how you will overcome each obstacle and write that down too. It is important to face these barriers before you start on your ‘new you’ journey.

If you are feeling low right now, don’t fret or panic. Here are some suggestions to help:

Don’t panic

Panic may cause you to lose perspective and you may end up making the wrong decisions. To help you deal with your fear, you need to get a lot more information, so that you are dealing with facts. Also remember that every time you had problems, you overcame them in the end.

Don’t jump to conclusions

Don’t assume the worst. Our emotions have a way to make the issue seem worse than it is. Do a reality check to determine whether your fears are founded or not. It probably isn’t. Do the following:

	Make a list of all your successes so that you can get real about your own capabilities.
	Decide to create better experiences and start implementing the changes immediately. Keep a record.
	Make a list of things people might say about you if someone asked them to describe your characteristics.
	Be realistic about how long it will take you to find a new job.
	Make a list of the tough times you remember and how you overcame it.
	Affirmations will help prevent depression, which injects us with an attitude of defeatism.
	Stay positive by doing the activities that will bring you closer to your goal.
	If you have never exercised, this is a good time to start. Get active. Exercise will release endorphins in your body that will make you feel good. You have nothing to be ashamed of if you have lost your job. Yes, it is embarrassing to lose your job. It is also painful to deal with the loss of your income. Stay calm and make your plans. Write them down and do the necessary activities that will bring you to your goal.

By Elsabé Manning

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