Hate your job? Things at work not going your way? Productivity down? Not earning enough? Thinking of leaving? Here are some job realities you may want to consider before flying to another light-bulb.

First, figure out the whole why. You need to take a deep look into the situation before you decide to move. What is causing these feelings of unrest or unhappiness?

Here’s your self “why” test. Don’t just read it. If you’re unhappy at work, list the ones that apply to you and write a “why” sentence next to it. Don’t just confirm the reason in your mind, go deeper to discover the reason behind the reason.

o Belief system failing in product: You don’t think your product is really better than the competition’s.

o Belief system failing in company: You’ve lost faith in the company’s ability to perform.

o Poor service after you sell it: Continuing complaint calls are lowering your morale.

o Boss is a jerk: For one reason or another, the boss hasn’t earned your respect.

o Poor management: acting in their own self-interest (butt-covering).

o Conflicts with co-workers or management: too much “who struck John”?

o Poor training: You aren’t getting adequately prepared to sell.

o High turnover : many good people leaving.

o Too much work : You work too hard and you don’t want to put forth the effort.

o Poor pay: low pay for your effort.

o Poor working conditions: lack of sales support.

o Business hurting: the economy and sales are less prevalent or slower.

o No upward opportunity: You’re stuck in non-growth mode.

And, of course, the one reason you may have omitted is: It may be you.

Self-test for these: home-life problems; money problems; drinking or other self-abuse stupidity; your poor attitude; your poor sales skills; your poor work habits; poor performance on your part; stress (caused by one or many of the above).

Well, that’s an “ouch” test, huh? Did you find your thorn? Did you discover “why,” or did you already know the “why” and I just confirmed it. So, now that your skin is crawling with the reality, what are you going to do about it? Well, not so fast there, salesboy. I’d like you to consider some deeper reflection first.

When you find your biggest reason(s), ask yourself “why”? four times to get to the bottom of the reason. That would be the real reason.

Let’s say you said your boss is a jerk. OK, why? Maybe the boss is on you to constantly produce, says you’re not seeing enough people and closing enough sales. OK, why? Because it’s harder to make sales and people aren’t buying? If that’s so, it sounds like it ain’t the boss after all; it’s you. That’s not a boss issue. That’s a training and intensity issue.

All salespeople suffer from two incurable diseases: The grass-is-always-greener syndrome and the moth-to-a-light-bulb syndrome.

What are you looking for (if you’re going to switch, at least move up or forward)? Can you fix what you have? What would you really like to be doing?  If you leave, where will you go? What risks do you take by leaving this job?  How will a new job get you closer to your real career goals?

If you decide to leave, don’t leave for the wrong reasons, and don’t leave the wrong way. I have just given you the “why” formula. That will get you to an understanding of your self-thinking. Then there’s the “how you will leave” part.

Two more rules apply: Leave professionally, giving notice. Leave ethically, giving back everything and not taking anything with you – especially customer lists or any trade secrets.

To leave or not to leave? That is the question. Your job is to find the answer, your own answer. It’s a big decision, a career decision, an advancement decision and, yes, a money decision. Make sure you know the real reason you’re leaving, and make sure you do it in a way that would make your mother proud.

If you’re among the fortunate few who love their jobs, please pass this on to someone whining about how green the grass is someplace else.

Free GitBit: I have one more piece of advice about your job, something to think about everyday. Go to www.gitomer.com, register if you’re a first-time user, then enter JOB in the GitBit box.

President of Charlotte, N.C.-based Buy Gitomer, Jeffrey Gitomer gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts Internet training programs on selling and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at (704) 333-1112 or by e-mail at salesman@gitomer.com.