My Job: Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

In the midst of a tormenting decision of whether to reamain or resign from a job that felt more "un-me" than "me," a good friend, knowing my double-minded indecision, sent me an online link to a famous 80's hit song by the Clash: "Should I Stay of Should I Go?" Mullets and all, they sang, "Darling you gotta let me know: Should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine, I'll be there til the end of time. So you got to let me know. Should I stay or should I go?"

The song stayed stuck in my head for weeks! Not sure whether I appreciated that part or not - but this IS the real question when you're feeling like a fish out of water in a job. It's an inner "clash!" " Should I hold on .. or leave? Pout or scoot?" I finally came to the line that brought me some clarity: "If I go there will be trouble. And if I stay there will be double." Hmmm... Think about that one!

Best selling author Laurie Beth Jones just released an excellent book complete with 10 questions that can bring clarity to this important question. Her book is called: Jesus: Career Counselor: How to Find (and keep) Your Perfect Work. Early in the book she poses what she calls "10 Questions to Help You Find Your Vocation." (page 17) I think of them more as "10 Questions to Help You Decide... Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Go ahead and evaluate your own job in light of these. I dare ya! Answer yes or no.. then total them.

1. Are you doing what you most love to do?

2. Are you doing work that only you can do?

3. Would you do this work even if you weren't paid to do it?

4. When you are doing this work, do you sometimes get so engaged in it that you lose track of time?

5. Does this work allow you to have the lifestyle that nourishes your soul?

6. Does this work honor God?

7. Does this work honor you?

8. Are you OK with pulling someone else's plow? ( If you are)

9. Does this work allow you to utilize all your greatest talents?

10. At the end of this work, do you think you will hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant?"

Well, how did you do? How many "no's?" How many "yes'?"

So if you're overloaded with "no's" should you stay or should you go?

Well, of course this is a big decision: but you may want to return to that great source of wisdom like I did: The Clash: "If I go there will be trouble. And if I stay there will be double."