You know those quiet, creeping changes you don’t notice until one day something feels… off?
It’s subtle. You’re not miserable, not exactly. But you’re also not thriving.
Maybe you notice the Sunday evening blues more often. Maybe it’s a tightness in your chest you can’t quite explain.
And then there’s this question emerging in the back of your mind:
Is this still the right path for me?
As a leader in the public sector, you’re not afraid of hard work. You’ve weathered crises, shown up with resilience, and stayed committed to making a difference.
You’ve thought:
“Maybe it’s just a busy season”
“Things will settle down.”
But deep down, you suspect this isn’t temporary.
And here’s the trickiest part: everything still looks good on the outside. Stable job. Important mission. Great colleagues.
But somehow you have this feeling that you’ve outgrown something. Or that your values have shifted or mean something different to you now. That maybe, just maybe, it’s time for a new chapter.
So what if, without realising it, you’re staying in a situation that’s no longer good for you?
What if the very structure you rely on for purpose, security, or loyalty is also what’s limiting you?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone!
In this episode, I want to share a metaphor that might help you understand what’s going on, and what to do about it.
It’s not about jumping ship. It’s about tuning in: to yourself, your assumptions, and the signals your life is sending.
Let’s explore 4 ways staying where you are might be costing you more than you think.
What Do You Notice When You Run On Autopilot?
You’ve probably heard the story of the boiling frog: Drop a frog into hot water, it jumps out. But if the water heats up slowly, the frog stays put – until it’s too late.
Sounds extreme, but the metaphor sticks for a reason!
So how do YOU know if the water is getting too warm? Let’s start with something tangible: tracking the signs.
Here’s the first way (out of 4) to help you spot whether staying where you are might be costing you more than you think.
1. Keep Score (The Tangible Signs)
You still care about your work. The mission still matters.
But lately, things feel heavier:
- The Sunday evening blues come more often.
- Your sleep is off, or your mind races at night.
- Your body holds tension, in your shoulders, chest, or stomach.
- You feel stuck, uninspired, demotivated. Maybe even cynical or resentful.
Start writing these things down. Not just how you feel. But also what’s happening around you:
- Have there been any political shift?
- An economic downturn?
- Organisational restructures?
- Life events at home?
Track your sense of wellbeing every 1-2 weeks over several months. Patterns will start to emerge.
This isn’t data for anyone else. It’s for YOU.
So you can catch it BEFORE you’re in boiling water.
Now the 3 other ways to notice whether staying where you are is starting to impact you negatively GO BEYOND what you can measure in this way.
They are about your assumptions and beliefs, and how they shape what you think is desirable and possible for yourself.
2. The Holy Grail Belief
You’ve always seen the public sector as the place where real change happens. Where you serve a greater good and work within the system to shape the future.
That’s noble. But is it THE ONLY place you can have meaning and impact?
If you can’t imagine doing meaningful work outside the public sector, you may be blind to alternatives.
That belief can keep you stuck, even when the cost of staying is growing.
3. The Illusion of Security
There’s comfort in the idea of a ‘safe job’. Stable income. Predictable holidays. Security.
But how secure is the public sector really?
We’ve all seen budgets slashed, departments restructured, and jobs made redundant.
The belief that you’re ‘set for life’ might offer emotional shelter. But it can also stop you from preparing for change. Or recognising when change is needed.
Now, I’m conscious employment law depends on where you are.
In some countries, like Germany, a public servant is hired for life, though that is beginning to change. But in other countries, you’re an employee like everyone else and your contract can be ended when circumstances require it.
4. The Golden Cage
Maybe the pay isn’t stellar, but the benefits make up for it. The balance is okay. You’re not thrilled, but you’re managing relatively well.
This is the golden cage: comfortable enough to stay, yet limiting your sense of agency.
You might not feel like you’re choosing anymore. You’re just cruising. On autopilot. Slowly adapting to the heat.
“Keep calm and carry on!” Isn’t that the common saying?
But you always have a choice. Even if that choice is simply to pause and reflect.
If any of these points resonate with you, I’m not suggesting you quit your job tomorrow. What I am suggesting is that you make space: for honesty, for awareness, and for agency.
It takes courage to question what’s become normal. But only then can you decide with clarity what’s right for YOU at this stage in your career and life.
Don’t wait until the water is boiling. Tune in, take stock, and give yourself permission to choose.
Until next time: take space, rediscover YOU, and then take action.