Getting In The Slow, And Stress Free, Lane
If job stress is wearing you down and you want more leisure time, but you can't -- or don't want to -- quit altogether, it can be easy to feel stuck. But there's an alternative to consider: a voluntary demotion. Plenty of professionals dream of scaling back on their workload or ceding management responsibility, here's how to do it:
如果工作壓力實在令你不堪重負,你希望能有更多的閑暇時光,但卻不能──或者不愿意──完全放棄工作,就會很容易把自己搞得疲累不堪。不過還有一個選擇可以考慮:主動降職。很多專業(yè)人士都夢想著自己的工作量能夠少一些或者少背負一些管理責任,不妨參考以下幾點建議:
Adjust your thinking調整思路
Start out by re-evaluating your goals and how you measure yourself. A successful career doesn't have to include a 60-hour-a-week beeline to the top, says Joel Mausner, a business psychologist at Workplace Psychology, a consulting firm in New York. He recommends first considering how you want to live your work and home lives. Research routes to advancement within your company or industry that will satisfy the personal need you have, be it family time, less travel or the pursuit of a hobby. 'The harder part is being able to accept the idea that you're limiting your ambitions,' Mr. Mausner says.
重新確立目標及以及對自己的評判標準。紐約職場心理學咨詢公司(Workplace Psychology)的職場心理學家喬爾•莫斯內(Joel Mausner)表示,事業(yè)成功并不意味著就得每周連軸轉地工作60個小時。他建議,不妨先考慮一下你自己對于事業(yè)和家庭生活有何打算。提前調研一下,在你公司或者所從事行業(yè)內有哪些職場發(fā)展道路可以同時滿足你的個人需求,比如可以多些時間跟家人共處、少出差、有時間從事自己的業(yè)余愛好,等等。莫斯內表示,“有一點會比較難以接受,那就是:你的雄心壯志會受到一定的限制。”
Boss less少管些人
If you're a manager, downscaling could mean applying your skills to a position that doesn't involve overseeing employees. 'Not everybody is cut out to be a manager,' says Lynne Eisaguirre, an employment attorney and consultant from Denver. She has seen many talented technical employees promoted into management jobs that didn't suit them. Some return to their old jobs or make a lateral move. If you have proven yourself and provide something valuable to the firm, asking for a downward move or a move to a role with fewer direct reports won't be viewed as negatively.
如果你是一位主管,降級可能意味著你可以就任一個不需要監(jiān)管別人的職位。丹佛勞工律師兼顧問琳恩•伊莎圭爾(Lynne Eisaguirre)表示,“不是每個人都適合擔任管理職務的。”她見證了很多技術人員被提拔到管理崗位卻無法勝任的案例。他們當中有些人后來又回到了原先的崗位或者調至其他平級職位。如果你已經為公司做出了有益的貢獻,自身的價值已經得到了證實,那么當你主動提出降級或者調任一個可以少管些人的崗位時,別人也是不會看低你的。
Be upfront開誠布公
Whatever you decide you want to do, it's important to communicate your intentions to show that you're still committed to the job and company. Explain the positions at the firm that you see as a good fit and have a frank discussion about why you want to make a downward move. 'Play to your strengths and how [the move would] better benefit the company,' says Ms. Eisaguirre.
不管你做出了怎樣的決定,與公司溝通你的想法是很重要的,要讓別人相信你對這份工作以及公司依然滿懷熱忱,向他們說明你認為哪些職位是很適合你的,坦誠地解釋你為什么想要降級。伊莎圭爾說,“講清楚你的優(yōu)勢,說明這樣的職位變動于公司將更為有利。”
Prepare your finances做好財務上的準備
Take the time to plan financially before making changes that impact your salary, recommends Lewis J. Altfest, a financial planner in New York. Adjust your expenses and budget to the expected new income level before you make a move and save as much money as you can for a cushion.
紐約理財師里維斯•J.•阿爾特范斯特(Lewis J. Altfest)建議,在做出會影響你收入的職務變動之前,先花點時間做好財務上的規(guī)劃。在變動之前,根據新職位的預計收入來調整你的開銷預算,盡可能多攢點錢以備不時只需。
If you're scaling back on work because you're nearing retirement, hold off on drawing Social Security or pension benefits for as long as possible, Mr. Altfest advises. 'If it's not a hardship, use your nonretirement savings and what earning you make to live on. That way you get the most from your investments and it's a hedge against long life,' he says.
阿爾特范斯特建議,如果你是因為自己年屆退休所以要主動降職,那么要盡可能推遲提取社保金或養(yǎng)老金的時間。他表示,“如果不是非常困難的話,最好只花退休前的積蓄和現在掙到手的錢。這樣你的投資收入才能最大化,未來漫長的生活才能有所保障。”
Think ahead想好后招
If you do change your mind later, taking a step down isn't something you can't overcome. You can spin it positively when applying for jobs both internally and externally, says Ms. Eisaguirre. The key is to prepare a strong story about why you moved sideways or down in your firm, and why you're now ready to get back on track. 'Tell them what has changed,' she suggests.
如果你事后又改主意了,那也并非就沒有挽回的余地。伊莎圭爾表示,當你在公司內部或者對外申請新的職位時,你也可以將目前的降職轉化為正面的因素,關鍵是要準備好一個令人信服的說法,向別人解釋為什么你會靠邊站或者降職,解釋為什么現在又想回到原先的級別。她的建議是,“向他們說明是哪些因素有了變化。”