Shift or stay? Trust your instincts for your next career move
The question of whether to stay in your current role or take the leap for something new isn’t just a casual thought—it’s often a defining moment.
When it comes to tough career decisions, the question of whether to stay in your current role or take the leap for something new isn’t just a casual thought—it’s often a defining moment.
While it may seem pragmatic to assess tangible factors like salary, benefits, and job title, there’s a more nuanced side to career choices that often gets overlooked: how your job makes you feel.
Ignoring your instincts can lead to years of unfulfilling work, yet tuning in to these cues can offer clarity about your next steps.
During a panel session at the recent She Leads 5 event by Sinar Daily titled "Bold Career Moves: Shift or Stay?", chartered accountant and corporate director Daneena Rahman said: "We should be aware of our feelings and if you are not happy with where you are, you have to listen to that voice."
Whatever the case, decisions should be made with a rational state of mind. Having been in the corporate world for almost three decades, she has certainly had her fair share of ups and downs.
"I would go crying to my mentors, they always gave me a memorable piece of advice, whatever decision, you cannot make it when you are emotional.
"Make sure take a time out, take a day off and rethink about things. I enjoyed my work with the people trained to climb up the ladder," she said.
But for Daneena, the pivotal moment came during Covid. "In March 2021, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Five months later, I lost my dad to a heart attack."
"It hit me hard. I did some serious self-reflection and thought, do I really want to keep going? But also, how much further do I need to go?
"My inner feelings told me I needed to make a change. All these years, I worked so hard in a way that it sealed my emotions and left me feeling overwhelmed.
Reflecting on her journey of when both work and family life were both reaching new heights, she talked about the need to have a strong support system in order to maintain that balance.
"We need that balance. If people chose a career, they couldn’t have a family—I wanted both.
"I want to have the cake and eat it too. I wanted to have children while they were still young, not wait until I was middle-aged," said Daneena who is now a mother of seven.
She emphasised how family structure and the support that comes from it serve as the bedrock of a balanced life.
“Investing in children—time, energy, and resources—makes them a central motivating force,” she explained.
She also shared how her longtime domestic helper, who has been with her family for 20 years, has been a cornerstone of support. Alongside hiring a driver to manage her children’s school runs and extracurriculars, this steady assistance has been essential in helping her balance her many responsibilities.
She likened the roles of parents to a game of "tag", emphasising that even amidst the hustle of work, both parents should be able to engage with their children by taking on their respective responsibilities.
"Continue to have that balance, because you cannot pursue a career without this kind of support structure, or you will crumble," she said.
For a significant stretch of her career, Daneena managed a challenging routine, frequently flying between Jakarta, where her family was based, and Kuala Lumpur to keep up with her professional commitments.
This back-and-forth juggling act was her way of staying present in both her family life and career, which was important for her to stay on top of things.
Ultimately, deciding whether to stay or move forward in your career isn’t a simple calculation—it’s a deeply personal choice that calls for trust in your inner feelings, leaning on your support system, and finding the balance that keeps you grounded.
Sometimes, the signs to stay or leave aren’t loud or obvious; they’re quiet nudges from within, or moments when the people around you remind you of what matters most.
Whether it's the encouragement of loved ones, the call of new opportunities, or the sense of purpose that only you can define, making this decision is about aligning with what feels true to you.
