SUMMARY POINTS
It’s been something you’ve been seriously considering recently. All the bullshit that you’ve been enduring on your job is starting to take its toll on you mentally and physically. Your brain is almost always fried and your physical health is shit.
On really bad days, you feel like quitting your job and just walking the fuck out of the building and leaving all the bullshit behind for good. Things are getting unbearable.
You’ve been looking for other jobs outside of the company but then you realize that you gotta go through the whole job search, application and interview process. That’s going to take some time. You want a more immediate reprieve.
You look for other opportunities within the company instead. There are a few higher senior level positions but those come with more responsibilities. Lateral moves are also a possibility but the level of stress would be the same. But, there are lower positions available that have less responsibilities and thus, less stress.
But, you think to yourself…
What will this do to your personal brand at work?
How will this affect your career?
Is it worth taking a step down?
On really bad days, you feel like quitting your job and just walking the fuck out of the building and leaving all the bullshit behind for good. Things are getting unbearable.
You’ve been looking for other jobs outside of the company but then you realize that you gotta go through the whole job search, application and interview process. That’s going to take some time. You want a more immediate reprieve.
You look for other opportunities within the company instead. There are a few higher senior level positions but those come with more responsibilities. Lateral moves are also a possibility but the level of stress would be the same. But, there are lower positions available that have less responsibilities and thus, less stress.
But, you think to yourself…
What will this do to your personal brand at work?
How will this affect your career?
Is it worth taking a step down?
When It’s Good To Take A Step Down & Demote Yourself
You see several ideal openings on the internal job postings and they’re all a step down from where you are now. You know that you can get in the zone and do the job easily and you know the hiring manager. However, you’re questioning whether or not it makes sense to take a lower position.
It’s uncommon for people to move backward in their careers. The societal norm and expectation is that you move up and maybe sideways sometimes, but never backward - that’s a big no-no.
However, we’re here to tell you to ignore that bullshit. There are valid reasons to take a step down and move into a lower position.
It’s uncommon for people to move backward in their careers. The societal norm and expectation is that you move up and maybe sideways sometimes, but never backward - that’s a big no-no.
However, we’re here to tell you to ignore that bullshit. There are valid reasons to take a step down and move into a lower position.
Constantly Burning Out
Let’s be real, office life can often feel like a never-ending race toward burnout. The constant pressure to climb the corporate ladder and prove your worth can leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed as fuck, and stuck in an endless loop of stress and anxiety.
But what if we told you that taking a step back and accepting a lower position might be the key to escaping this cycle? Sometimes, doing less is the best way to achieve more satisfaction at work and could save you from the relentless burnout of office life.
But what if we told you that taking a step back and accepting a lower position might be the key to escaping this cycle? Sometimes, doing less is the best way to achieve more satisfaction at work and could save you from the relentless burnout of office life.
Family Priorities
Are you tired of constantly rushing out the door and barely making it to your kid’s game or recital? Or even worse, if your spouse or child is suffering from a serious illness or disease and you barely have the time to help them through the struggle, you feel guilty as hell.
Being in the corporate rat race, we often find ourselves stuck in a constant battle between our career demands and our desire to spend quality time with loved ones. This shouldn’t ever be a decision. It should be automatic - family always comes first. You want to quit but you need the money. The solution here might be to take a less demanding position at a lower salary that will give you the family time you need while still also providing income.
Being in the corporate rat race, we often find ourselves stuck in a constant battle between our career demands and our desire to spend quality time with loved ones. This shouldn’t ever be a decision. It should be automatic - family always comes first. You want to quit but you need the money. The solution here might be to take a less demanding position at a lower salary that will give you the family time you need while still also providing income.
You Can Afford To
For a lucky few out there, you don’t have to keep slugging away at the current position if you don’t want to. Maybe your spouse earns a lot of money. Or maybe, you’ve got a good amount of F.U. money saved up.
Whatever the case may be, if you can afford to take a lower position that pays less but has much less stress, then by all means, you should entertain that possibility. There’s no better feeling than knowing that you can nab that internal transfer to a lower position and take a huge load off your shoulders.
Whatever the case may be, if you can afford to take a lower position that pays less but has much less stress, then by all means, you should entertain that possibility. There’s no better feeling than knowing that you can nab that internal transfer to a lower position and take a huge load off your shoulders.
Same Salary With Less Responsibilities
This is an absolutely “no-brainer”. In some organizations, the way salary bands are set up may allow you to take a step down in responsibilities but maintain the same or just slightly lower salary.
It’s when the senior position is at the lower end of the higher pay band and the junior position is at the upper end of the pay band just below. Sometimes, if there’s overlap, you can actually sneak down and keep the same pay - that’s the perfect scenario.
It’s when the senior position is at the lower end of the higher pay band and the junior position is at the upper end of the pay band just below. Sometimes, if there’s overlap, you can actually sneak down and keep the same pay - that’s the perfect scenario.
Getting Out Of Toxic Situation
Are you tired of facing endless office politics, backstabbing coworkers, and overbearing bitch bosses? Do you constantly dream about quitting your job but then reality hits when rent is due?
You are not alone. Many office workers find themselves trapped in toxic work environments, feeling like they have no way out. Taking a lower position just might be a solution to escape this vicious cycle without having to quit your job altogether. Moving down may just be the key to breaking free from a toxic situation and finally being able to manage work stress instead of being crushed by it.
You are not alone. Many office workers find themselves trapped in toxic work environments, feeling like they have no way out. Taking a lower position just might be a solution to escape this vicious cycle without having to quit your job altogether. Moving down may just be the key to breaking free from a toxic situation and finally being able to manage work stress instead of being crushed by it.
Avoiding Layoffs
There’s no such thing as job security anymore. Are you seeing the big effin’ red flags of upcoming layoffs? You gotta be ready.
Taking a lower position within your company could be the secret weapon that allows you to dodge the layoff bullet. While it may initially sound counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to protect yourself from the dreaded pink slip is by taking a position that doesn’t have a higher salary cost to the company.
Think of how many more high-paying middle management positions get axed over working-level staff who are more critical for getting core grunt work done. Sometimes, being at the working level has its benefits.
Taking a lower position within your company could be the secret weapon that allows you to dodge the layoff bullet. While it may initially sound counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to protect yourself from the dreaded pink slip is by taking a position that doesn’t have a higher salary cost to the company.
Think of how many more high-paying middle management positions get axed over working-level staff who are more critical for getting core grunt work done. Sometimes, being at the working level has its benefits.
Make The Move That’s Right For You
There are some crazy ambitious people who desperately want to climb the corporate ladder all the way to the top rung. There’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone deserves to strive for what they want in life.
However, for some in the working world, it’s not all about getting all the way to the top. It’s about finding happiness at work. Maybe, it’s not your thing to want to be top dog and run the whole show. Maybe, you want to just live a comfortable life with as little chaos as possible. And, that’s a legit thing.
If you find yourself in a constant state of burnout or need to make a change to improve your life in one way or another, then don’t hesitate to make the move.
You gotta find and get to your own happy place in this world. You deserve it.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]
However, for some in the working world, it’s not all about getting all the way to the top. It’s about finding happiness at work. Maybe, it’s not your thing to want to be top dog and run the whole show. Maybe, you want to just live a comfortable life with as little chaos as possible. And, that’s a legit thing.
If you find yourself in a constant state of burnout or need to make a change to improve your life in one way or another, then don’t hesitate to make the move.
You gotta find and get to your own happy place in this world. You deserve it.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]