1 00:00:03,950 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: Hello, thanks for joining us again. It's our Ask Me 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,069 Speaker 1: Anything segment. We love your questions. So do send it 3 00:00:11,069 --> 00:00:14,949 Speaker 1: to us. We're at CNA podcasts at Mediacorp.com.sg. 4 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,229 Speaker 1: Now today's question was sent in by our listener Jane. 5 00:00:19,559 --> 00:00:23,989 Speaker 1: Jane's question is short, sweet, but she didn't give us 6 00:00:23,989 --> 00:00:27,719 Speaker 1: a lot of information as to what she's struggling with. 7 00:00:28,079 --> 00:00:31,879 Speaker 1: But let's unpack it a little bit more. Jane says 8 00:00:31,879 --> 00:00:35,439 Speaker 1: with the current situation, do we stay put in our 9 00:00:35,439 --> 00:00:39,750 Speaker 1: job despite all the possible pain points one could imagine 10 00:00:39,750 --> 00:00:45,319 Speaker 1: or just look for another and quit this current painful one. 11 00:00:46,348 --> 00:00:49,020 Speaker 1: Wow, Jane sounds very, very unhappy. 12 00:00:49,220 --> 00:00:50,848 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, I can feel it in the question, 13 00:00:51,340 --> 00:00:51,860 Speaker 1: a lot of 14 00:00:51,860 --> 00:00:54,299 Speaker 2: pain. Yeah, there's two states that she's in, in one 15 00:00:54,299 --> 00:00:56,500 Speaker 2: place she's feeling like she needs to move on because 16 00:00:56,500 --> 00:00:59,330 Speaker 2: it's so painful. Then the other place that she's at is. 17 00:00:59,930 --> 00:01:02,130 Speaker 2: She's too scared to move on because she feels scared 18 00:01:02,130 --> 00:01:04,929 Speaker 2: that there's no opportunities for her or maybe she's worried 19 00:01:04,930 --> 00:01:06,610 Speaker 2: that if she goes into the next job, it may 20 00:01:06,610 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 2: not give her the same stability and that's why she's stuck. 21 00:01:09,930 --> 00:01:12,290 Speaker 2: She can't make a change and she also doesn't like 22 00:01:12,290 --> 00:01:12,849 Speaker 2: where she's at 23 00:01:12,849 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 2: now. 24 00:01:13,410 --> 00:01:14,690 Speaker 1: Yeah, so I think we have to make a few 25 00:01:14,690 --> 00:01:17,849 Speaker 1: assumptions here like you say, she's not happy and she 26 00:01:17,849 --> 00:01:21,209 Speaker 1: wants out. 2 sounds like what she is so fearful. 27 00:01:21,430 --> 00:01:24,050 Speaker 1: about is that the job market isn't great for her, 28 00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:27,220 Speaker 1: and she's worried she can't find something. You know, we 29 00:01:27,220 --> 00:01:29,848 Speaker 1: talked about this before we started recording. This is a very, very, 30 00:01:29,940 --> 00:01:33,180 Speaker 1: very deep and big question, but what would be your 31 00:01:33,180 --> 00:01:34,580 Speaker 1: advice if we were to look at it from a 32 00:01:34,580 --> 00:01:35,339 Speaker 1: very general 33 00:01:35,339 --> 00:01:35,860 Speaker 1: point of view? 34 00:01:35,900 --> 00:01:39,738 Speaker 2: I think generally speaking, we have to test some assumptions. 35 00:01:39,860 --> 00:01:42,050 Speaker 2: So for example, some assumptions we have to test is 36 00:01:42,050 --> 00:01:42,620 Speaker 2: of the job. 37 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,230 Speaker 2: Market, right? Are there opportunities that would be good for 38 00:01:46,230 --> 00:01:48,139 Speaker 2: you or is it really as terrible as you think? 39 00:01:48,190 --> 00:01:48,669 Speaker 1: I guess 40 00:01:48,669 --> 00:01:51,389 Speaker 1: if she wants to stay in her current job environment, 41 00:01:51,790 --> 00:01:54,910 Speaker 1: some sectors might not be doing well, right? But if 42 00:01:54,910 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 1: she can look at some transferable skills that she has, 43 00:01:57,870 --> 00:02:01,510 Speaker 1: she may actually open herself up to different sectors where 44 00:02:01,510 --> 00:02:02,589 Speaker 1: she can find 45 00:02:02,589 --> 00:02:02,980 Speaker 1: work. 46 00:02:03,639 --> 00:02:06,230 Speaker 2: So I think testing some assumptions about the job market, 47 00:02:06,309 --> 00:02:08,669 Speaker 2: is it really as bad as she thinks? It's very, 48 00:02:08,710 --> 00:02:09,669 Speaker 2: very important, right? 49 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:12,109 Speaker 2: Then the other part of it is, of course, looking 50 00:02:12,110 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: at her pain points in the company. How deep are 51 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 2: these pain points? What's causing these pain points? Are these 52 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 2: pain points addressable? Can Jane do something about making challenges 53 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,758 Speaker 2: at work disappear or make it just a little bit 54 00:02:24,758 --> 00:02:27,330 Speaker 2: better for herself. But most of us, it's too much 55 00:02:27,330 --> 00:02:28,839 Speaker 2: work to think like this, right? We are used to 56 00:02:28,839 --> 00:02:30,449 Speaker 2: the daily hamster wheel of just 57 00:02:30,500 --> 00:02:32,649 Speaker 2: Surviving. So Jane is in a kind of a survival mode. 58 00:02:33,250 --> 00:02:35,580 Speaker 2: She's just kicking the can down a little bit every day, 59 00:02:35,770 --> 00:02:36,250 Speaker 2: but it's painful. 60 00:02:36,369 --> 00:02:36,529 Speaker 1: I 61 00:02:36,529 --> 00:02:39,490 Speaker 1: think also has Jane tried to sort of address some 62 00:02:39,490 --> 00:02:43,490 Speaker 1: of these pain points? Perhaps she could have and she 63 00:02:43,490 --> 00:02:46,809 Speaker 1: is still not getting any progress out of that, but 64 00:02:46,809 --> 00:02:49,570 Speaker 1: also if she hasn't, then it will be a good 65 00:02:49,570 --> 00:02:50,929 Speaker 1: time to talk to somebody. 66 00:02:51,100 --> 00:02:53,059 Speaker 1: About it because it's very difficult. I mean, I've been 67 00:02:53,059 --> 00:02:56,109 Speaker 1: in a situation before where you are stuck in that, 68 00:02:56,139 --> 00:02:59,130 Speaker 1: you know, silo, where you just feel that everything is 69 00:02:59,130 --> 00:03:03,019 Speaker 1: against you and there's no other possible solutions because you 70 00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:05,940 Speaker 1: haven't really spoken to other people who might give you 71 00:03:05,940 --> 00:03:07,130 Speaker 1: certain solutions that 72 00:03:07,130 --> 00:03:07,610 Speaker 1: may work. 73 00:03:07,699 --> 00:03:09,539 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think when we look at the pinpoints, there 74 00:03:09,538 --> 00:03:11,460 Speaker 2: are some that we can address and some we cannot. 75 00:03:11,740 --> 00:03:14,389 Speaker 2: So for example, if we are working in a job 76 00:03:14,389 --> 00:03:16,928 Speaker 2: and a lot of these pinpoints come from, let's say 77 00:03:16,929 --> 00:03:20,630 Speaker 2: a toxic work environment, you got really, really nasty boss 78 00:03:20,630 --> 00:03:23,070 Speaker 2: and you realize that you can't change people, right? You 79 00:03:23,070 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 2: can't change the culture by yourself, then those become pinpoints 80 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:28,869 Speaker 2: that is not addressable and if those are the pain 81 00:03:28,869 --> 00:03:32,029 Speaker 2: not addressable, then maybe Jane should really go and check 82 00:03:32,029 --> 00:03:33,869 Speaker 2: out the job market, right? But if today the pain 83 00:03:33,869 --> 00:03:35,190 Speaker 2: points are self-inflicted. 84 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:38,270 Speaker 2: Within our control, for example, being burned out 85 00:03:38,270 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: from work, not setting clear boundaries, 86 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:42,889 Speaker 2: setting clear boundaries at work or maybe you feel really 87 00:03:42,889 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 2: very disengaged with your work, your work, you've been doing 88 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:47,279 Speaker 2: it for let's say 10 number of years and you're 89 00:03:47,279 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 2: bored and then doing the same work again feels like 90 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: you're not being rewarded. Or maybe it could be you 91 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,119 Speaker 2: feel like you are not being treated fairly because you've 92 00:03:55,119 --> 00:03:57,279 Speaker 2: been passed over for promotions for a number of years. 93 00:03:57,570 --> 00:04:00,389 Speaker 2: And then this become painful, right? So if those are 94 00:04:00,389 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 2: the top pin points within Jane, then perhaps it's important 95 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,429 Speaker 2: to address those things because some of these can carry 96 00:04:06,429 --> 00:04:08,990 Speaker 2: forward into any other job that she moves into in 97 00:04:08,990 --> 00:04:09,330 Speaker 2: the future. 98 00:04:09,550 --> 00:04:11,550 Speaker 1: One thing that we are very aware of is that 99 00:04:11,550 --> 00:04:14,029 Speaker 1: we are not here to tell Jane to quit your 100 00:04:14,029 --> 00:04:17,350 Speaker 1: job just because it's painful and we're not here to 101 00:04:17,350 --> 00:04:19,709 Speaker 1: give you advice to say don't worry, there will be 102 00:04:19,709 --> 00:04:20,350 Speaker 1: a job out there. 103 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:23,136 Speaker 1: For you and everything because we recognize that not everyone 104 00:04:23,136 --> 00:04:27,217 Speaker 1: is in a privileged position to be able to just 105 00:04:27,217 --> 00:04:30,657 Speaker 1: quit a job and look for something else and have 106 00:04:30,657 --> 00:04:34,497 Speaker 1: enough finances to tie yourself through. So I think the 107 00:04:34,497 --> 00:04:37,497 Speaker 1: first thing would be to, before you actually get to 108 00:04:37,497 --> 00:04:40,015 Speaker 1: that stage, look at your finances to see whether there 109 00:04:40,016 --> 00:04:42,897 Speaker 1: are sort of emergency savings that can tide you through 110 00:04:42,897 --> 00:04:43,177 Speaker 1: a few. 111 00:04:43,563 --> 00:04:46,044 Speaker 1: while you are job hunting and if not, then start 112 00:04:46,044 --> 00:04:48,523 Speaker 1: on it now so that you have at least a 113 00:04:48,523 --> 00:04:51,674 Speaker 1: goal that you're working towards and it takes your mind 114 00:04:51,674 --> 00:04:55,813 Speaker 1: away from any of the possible pain that you're currently 115 00:04:55,813 --> 00:04:58,164 Speaker 1: holding in your job. And I think I would suggest 116 00:04:58,164 --> 00:05:01,414 Speaker 1: is to also identify silver linings. Yes, the job may 117 00:05:01,414 --> 00:05:03,723 Speaker 1: be painful, but I think on a daily basis if 118 00:05:03,723 --> 00:05:05,843 Speaker 1: you were to break it down, there could be things 119 00:05:05,843 --> 00:05:06,113 Speaker 1: that you 120 00:05:06,161 --> 00:05:08,351 Speaker 1: Thankful for. It could be like at least you have 121 00:05:08,351 --> 00:05:11,871 Speaker 1: one nice colleague or your office pantry is well stocked. 122 00:05:12,130 --> 00:05:14,471 Speaker 1: So I would say look for these silver linings that 123 00:05:14,471 --> 00:05:17,330 Speaker 1: can get you through the day while you plan for 124 00:05:17,330 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: your exit 125 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:18,580 Speaker 1: strategy. 126 00:05:18,670 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, so I think for Jane really deeper consideration, you 127 00:05:22,321 --> 00:05:25,070 Speaker 2: need to really lay out all the cards, look deep 128 00:05:25,071 --> 00:05:27,631 Speaker 2: into the pin points, why is it like that? Look 129 00:05:27,630 --> 00:05:28,911 Speaker 2: deep into the assumptions. 130 00:05:29,299 --> 00:05:31,700 Speaker 2: And then start to maybe decide what you want to do. 131 00:05:31,869 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 2: Do you want to tackle the pinpoints? Are they within 132 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,190 Speaker 2: your control? Do you want to challenge some assumptions that 133 00:05:36,190 --> 00:05:37,670 Speaker 2: means that you have to do some homework, you do 134 00:05:37,670 --> 00:05:38,459 Speaker 2: some research. 135 00:05:39,140 --> 00:05:41,868 Speaker 2: Or could be you just end up not doing anything 136 00:05:41,869 --> 00:05:44,559 Speaker 2: and just feeling stuck, right? So, Jane, my advice to 137 00:05:44,559 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 2: you is be brave, to investigate deeper, don't just kick 138 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 2: down the can and don't wait anymore. If this is 139 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 2: really the feeling of being stuck, I don't know for 140 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:54,649 Speaker 2: how long already, it could be years. 141 00:05:54,899 --> 00:05:56,399 Speaker 2: So maybe this is the right time to do something 142 00:05:56,399 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: about it. 143 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,678 Speaker 1: Well Jane, I hope our conversation here has been helpful 144 00:05:59,678 --> 00:06:03,160 Speaker 1: to you. I think you know deep down in your gut, 145 00:06:03,519 --> 00:06:06,479 Speaker 1: what is the best option for you and be brave, 146 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,239 Speaker 1: take your time to get there. If like Jane, you 147 00:06:09,238 --> 00:06:12,130 Speaker 1: have a work-related question, do write into us. We are 148 00:06:12,130 --> 00:06:17,479 Speaker 1: at CNA podcasts at Mediacorp.com.sg. We're also on Spotify, Me Listen, 149 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts and YouTube where a video version of this 150 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 1: is at. 151 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,869 Speaker 1: The team behind the Work It podcast is Hou Pei Ning, 152 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:30,500 Speaker 1: Juanini Johari, Joan Chan, Saya Win, Allison Jenner, and Shahza Talela. 153 00:06:30,859 --> 00:06:33,910 Speaker 1: Video by Hanida Amin. I'm Gerald and I'm Tiffany. Have 154 00:06:33,910 --> 00:06:37,519 Speaker 1: a great work week ahead and remember, life's too short 155 00:06:37,519 --> 00:06:39,029 Speaker 1: to just focus on work.