Fear and comfort are understandable and common.

But the question is, how do they hold up when you honestly challenge them or shine a light on a fresh perspective?

I know I'm guilty of it, telling myself convenient truths to support a narrative. But I'd advise periodically reframing the perspectives you hold on your current career situation, for your own sake.

Because if you're plateauing, you're closing the door on the progressive shift your career and mindset need. At the very least, you're missing out on an enriching experience.

Firstly, when applying healthy due diligence, progressive and well-aligned opportunities do not come along often:

The quality of the people

An aligned culture

Preferred sub-sector, size of organization, and legal structure

Both depth and breadth of exposure

Investment in professional development

Resources supporting your objectives

A commutable distance

Preferred HQ country location

Competitive base salary uplift and bonus

Agreeable work/life balance and WFH-office options

Strong financial position...the list goes on.

The thing is, many of these variables can't truly be determined until you've entered the process. You don't know what you'll uncover or how you'll feel.

Secondly, even if the opportunity passes your due diligence, you still have to get the offer. Oftentimes you're up against a competitive shortlist, and that offer needs to be appropriate!

Not only that, but the constructive feedback you receive, combined with interview practice, are valuable outcomes.

Finally, are you factoring into your calculation the risk of staying while not growing? The feeling of stagnation, the question mark of why you didn't move sooner, the worry of being made redundant if the company hits a rough patch.

So before you dismiss that next opportunity consider this, growth doesn't happen by accident, it happens by choice.

Choose to explore, to challenge, and to grow.