Holy CRAP it’s August already! We are more than half way through the year! If you’re like me and your starting to wonder who you gotta buy gifts for this coming Holiday Season, you’re probably trying to figure out if the amount of money coming in is enough to withstand the shopping that’s about to GO DOWN!!! Statistically speaking, the experts say that most start looking for a new job either before or right after the Holiday season – but before you do – make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Here’s a little checklist I made that I’d like to share with you today:

1. Am I the smartest guy in this room?

Sounds arrogant  I know but if you feel that people are learning from you at work, then you gotta ask yourself, who are you learning from? If you’re the smartest guy or gal in the room, that can mean that you are probably not learning anything new in your job. You’ve probably “capped” out and learned everything that you can possibly learn in this position. And if you aren’t learning anymore, then how can you possibly be growing if no new knowledge is being supplied?

Knowledge is Wealth. The more you learn, the more you grow and the more you grow, the more you earn.

2. Is my Company a BAD ASS?

In this very fast competitive economy, who you work for matters. If you’re at a company that is just “okay” or is just mediocre at best – then why the hell are you there? The amount of growth you gain has a direct relationship with the amount of gain your company makes. You want to be a part of cutting edge companies, companies that are playing a major role in your industry (or at least someone who is on the rise). If you want to play a BIGGER GAME, you wanna be with a company that is the “BIGGER GAME Arena”.

In this day and age of fast technology, everything is changing by the minute – if you feel stagnant – if you feel that your not moving – not growing -and your company is just happy being where they are – maybe its time to be with someone who is evolving with the world (and not being left behind). In other words, you want to be with someone who is learning as fast as the world is changing because if not, the world would certainly just leave you BOTH behind.

3. Am I EXCITED?

Are you EXCITED enough to see your co-workers to be okay ending your weekend? Because that’s literally whats happening today week by week! If every Sunday afternoon you start feeling sluggish, deteriorated, hating the thought of having to go and see your co-workers the next day – I’m telling you from past experience – YOU HAVE GOT TO GO!

Who you surround yourself with MATTERS! And if your with people that you’re not excited to see, then that’s a clear cut indication that something is missing. Find out WHAT THAT IS! And see if it’s something that your current environment can provide – and if not – then FACE the music and GET YOUR MOVE ON! Start looking! I’m telling you, there is nothing worse in this world than hating Mondays (“uugghhhh” just recalling that feeling makes me wanna puke!)

You want to be with like minded people – people that excite you – people that challenge you – people that activate your MINDS to new levels that you couldn’t possibly get to just by yourself. We all need help to get to our next level (I think) and unless you are with the right set of people with the right set of morals and values, you are making it that much harder for you to get to the next better version of you!

4. Am I able to be HONEST at work?

This may come as a surprise but gone are the days where you have to be “someone” at work and “someone” at home. Studies have shown that stress is less when a person is able to express themselves fully whether they are at home or at work. Don’t get me wrong, there is a line of professionalism that needs to be kept (obviously) but being who you are and having the ability to fully speak your mind in a tactful manner is as important as a breath of fresh air is to our body.

We all need to be able to be honest at work and have that relationship with our peers, especially with our boss. If we aren’t able to express what we think and feel to our supervisors, chances are we are holding something back. And when you are holding something back, it’s only a matter of time (not chance) that you’ll burst. So if your work place doesn’t allow an open conducive environment to express yourself, you best be asking what am I holding back on and is that worth my health? Is this the right place for me? Am I satisfied being this “person” OR have I had enough?

Life is short (extremely short), so if you ain’t being you at work where you spend at least 65% of your day at, where else can the real you be YOU?

5. Are you Under Paid?

I think it was Gladys Knight that said something like “Money can’t buy you happiness but everyone sure do wanna find out for themselves.”

LOL! Isn’t it so true though? Money isn’t everything but if you are technically being underpaid and you know about it (as it is so easy today to find that out) – that is a constant “burden” to your heart, body, mind and soul that needs to be addressed. You’re not asking to be the highest paid individual in your profession, but you just wanna be treated fairly. So if this is something that is true for you, I strongly suggest for your own peace of mind and happiness to go have that talk (tactfully and strategically) with your superior. And if that’s something they can’t do for you, find someone who can.

Cheers to the up coming Holidays! May you find something of value from this article and above all, may you find peace and joy at your work place. Light it Up! and GO!!!