I believe that every person alive on earth instinctively knows when it’s time to move-on from their current vocation/ role and apply themselves to some other (new) challenge. Yet most seem to prefer to “stay put” in their chosen role and endure the monotony of (and feel certain comfort from) repeating familiar practices day-in/ day-out…like some ancient ritual.
If you’re a high achieving person and have systematically tackled every conceivable issue/ problem/ opportunity that has come along while you have been “in the driving seat” of the organisation that you have led, and you’re starting to feel like the fellow in the “Ground-hog Day” movie who essentially lives each new day in exactly the same way he lived all of the days leading-up to the most recent new day, then the signs are pretty good that you’ve reached the end of challenging yourself and receiving satisfaction from being challenged in that organisation.
I’ve changed roles a few times over the past 3 – 4 years, some because I made the choice to, and others because the need to change was more-or-less inflicted upon me. However, each new role that I stepped into has offered me rich experiences…new learning experiences in particular which have opened my mind to new possibilities/ approaches/ philosophies.
If you’re feeling like you’re wanting to inject yourself with the “zing” of trialing new experiences – because you view life as a “journey/ adventure” and not as an “endurance challenge”, then I highly recommend opening a few doors that you haven’t been through to date to see what lays beyond. I’ve discovered so many fresh invigorating experiences through having walked through a few unfamiliar doors in recent years…new people, new ideas, new problems to solve and most importantly new ways that I have found I can help other people along in their lives.