Been There, Done That: Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side of the Fence?

Most of us are too eager to move on – I know I was.  I was always searching for that next great challenge and opportunity (or maybe it was merely my ADD).  But what I’ve learned in my dotage looking through the rear-view mirror of time is that things really weren’t so bad where I’d been.  So I now counsel my younger friends and those that I meet who are looking for a start – or a new positon in the industry to ask themselves a few key questions before they take a leap of faith.  Here are my questions:

• Are you being rewarded?
• Are you being professionally challenged?
• Are you having fun?
• Is this a good place to live?

Many time when we’re dissatisfied it’s because of a situation that’s not going your way:  whether it’s a relationship with a tenant, a board member, an elected official, etc.  You can’t run away from these situations.  One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the names my change, but the faces are always the same – no matter where you go there’s always going to that FBO, or community leader that’s going to have your number.

Couple this with the thought that “the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.”  When you’re looking at a new job everyone has their best foot forward, including the community.  It takes a long time for true personalities to emerge.  And when they do, are you still going to be satisfied with the change you’ve made?