Moving for a Job Was the Best Decision Ive Ever Made Heres Why

Moving for a Job Was the Best Decision Ive Ever Made Heres Why Weve approached that time of year when we create goals and set priorities. Some of us may be thinking about the next big job or advancement opportunities. For those who are ready for a challenge beyond just a new role, you might be considering a move outside of your current job, company, or the city that you reside in.I know what its like to moveout of your comfort zone in order to gain a new level of skills. Over the past eight years, Ive lived in four different states and worked for four different companies. Being able to pick up and move gave me the opportunity to work for anumber of well-respected companies Johnson Johnson, Microsoft, The New York Times, and Warner Bros. Entertainment.I know that moving can stressful, but for me, each time I relocated for a job, it was one of the best decisions Ive ever made. The changes brought about a set of personal and professional challenges that forced me to grow. By uprooting my life, Ive been able to overcome my fears while enhancing my capabilities and growing my network of friends.Here are five reasons why you should consider moving for a job1. You learn to adapt.Being new to a city and having to adjust to its climate, environment, culture, and people requires you to develop a flexible mindset. Having grown up in San Francisco and later relocating to New York, Santa Barbara, Seattle, and Los Angeles, I learned to get up to speed on my surroundings as quickly as possible, so I could survive.After all, theres no better way to push yourself than by driving and getting lost in a new place.2. You canreinvent yourself.Moving to a city where you dont know anyone can be liberating. You can focus on developing areas of yourself that need improvement. The first time I relocated for a job, I made friends with fresh points of view. The new friendsmannerisms, the way they spoke, and even their sense of style was new and refreshing. These new friendships allowed m e to incorporate bits and pieces of them into the revamped identity I was creating for myself. 3. You learn to open up yourself to others.When youre the new girl in town, people are generally willing to share their tips and tricks on the area. In work settings, as a newbie, asking my coworkers about places to eat or shop eventually resulted in me making friends with several of my colleagues. Im still friends with some of those colleagues over a decade later, staying in touch through social media. Each new interaction is an opportunity to learn about your new surroundings, slowly easing you into becoming a local.4. You give your brain a workout.Learning something new about your new home can have a ripple effect on your ability to contribute at work. Conquering a new city by establishing a rhythm for yourself whether its going to a gym, finding a popular neighborhood restaurant, locating a grocery store you like, or even getting a library card helps you to feel a sense of belonging. Tackling these essential steps in your new life can help build confidence so you are primed to accept bigger challenges in your new life.5. Vulnerability can lead to courage.Theres a quote by Anais Nin that I live by Life shrinks or expands in proportion to ones courage. I believe that the smaller your perspective is on life, the less likely you are to take risks because if you dont allow new experiences to enter your life, you stifle your ability to expand. By acknowledging your fears and moving forward despite heart palpitations, you will undoubtedbly enrich your life.Nowadays, sites like Fairygodboss and LinkedIn help you to gather invaluable information about a company in another city or state. With a few clicks of the keyboard, you can unlock the door to your next big gig, ultimately enhancing your life experience. The act of leaving a familiar setting to undertake new adventures has enriched my intellectual and emotional capacities. Had I stayed in one spot and not moved aroun d, I never would have met many of the people who are in my life today. For those of you toying with the idea of moving for a job this year, dont be afraid. Take incremental steps toward your next adventure and see how far you can stretch capabilities.--Yon Na is a leadership and organization development professional with 20 years of corporate experience. She has worked with some of the most admired companies on the planet Warner Bros. Entertainment, The New York Times, Microsoft, Johnson Johnson. As a leadership development professional, Yon has helped hundreds of individuals fine-tune their unique talents through coaching and facilitating workshops. To learn more, please visithttps//yonnaphd.com.