I once worked with a woman named Lisa (not her real name). She’d had six jobs in five years. She was convinced her latest job was the problem. The boss was toxic. The work was draining. The office smelled weird. And every time she switched roles, she’d get a little rush of excitement - new people, new routines, new stationery (oh, the stationery!!)
But within months, the same frustrations crept in.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe YOU have caught yourself scrolling SEEK at 2am, convincing yourself that a new role with a fresh team and better coffee would finally make you happy.
But here’s what Lisa finally learned...
Changing jobs doesn’t change you, in fact, it just reinforces a pattern that isn't serving you.
Why we believe a new job is the answer
Our brains are wired to seek external solutions. It’s why people jump from one diet to another, hoping for a miracle. Or why buying a shiny new planner feels like productivity (even though you still don’t use it after week one). A new job promises a fresh start.
But what if the problem isn’t the job at all?
What if it’s the mindset you’re carrying into every role?
The 'same problem, different desk' syndrome
Lisa’s pattern is incredibly common. She wasn’t just changing jobs, she was running from herself. The same insecurities, the same limiting beliefs, the same frustrations followed her, like an unpaid parking ticket that refuses to disappear. Because unless we change our internal world, our external world stays stubbornly the same.
So, what will actually change your life?
Get clear on what’s really missing
While sometimes it is the job / the boss / the bad coffee, it’s not always the case - it’s the misalignment between what you do and what truly matters to you. Ask yourself, "What do I actually want from my career? Autonomy? Creativity? Recognition?" If your job doesn’t align with your values - or the company values don't align with your personal values - no amount of salary increases or free Friday pizzas will make it satisfying.
Recognise the patterns you keep repeating
If you’ve had the same complaints in every role, that’s a clue. Maybe it’s not all your past managers who were terrible. Maybe you struggle with authority or boundaries. Maybe you can learn a better way to communicate with different people. Maybe you take on too much and burn out. Understanding these patterns gives you the power to break them.
Upgrade your thinking, not just your resume
Your thoughts create your experience. If you constantly tell yourself, “Work is just something to endure,” guess what? You’ll keep finding jobs that reinforce that belief. Instead, start shifting your mindset. What would happen if you approached work as a place for growth rather than survival?
Learn to manage stress and overwhelm
Let’s be real, no job is stress-free. Even people with ‘dream jobs’ deal with deadlines, difficult colleagues, and days where nothing goes right. The key isn’t finding a stress-free role; it’s learning how to handle stress better. When you can navigate challenges with resilience, you won’t feel the constant urge to escape.
There's a caveat to all of this...
Having said this, you deserve to be treated with respect. If your boss - or anyone else - is demeaning, undervaluing, or outright toxic, don’t gaslight yourself into staying. No amount of mindset work will fix a workplace that refuses to treat you well. If you’re in a situation where expectations are unclear, you’re constantly being held to impossible standards without proper training, or you’re left in the dark while being blamed for things you were never told about, that’s not on you. If your contributions aren’t valued and your wellbeing is being compromised, give yourself permission to look elsewhere. You deserve to work in an environment where you’re respected, supported, and appreciated.
The bottom line
If you’ve been job-hopping, hoping for a magic fix, take a breath. The change you’re looking for doesn’t come from a new boss or a new title, it comes from within. And the good news? That’s something you do have control over.
Ready to stop the cycle?
If this hit home for you, we talk about this - and so much more - on The Brain Changers podcast. Tune in for real stories, practical strategies, and the mindset shifts that will help you create real change. Listen here.
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