Age: mid age
Salary: Good
Workload/work pressure: Good
Relationship with colleagues/boss: Good
Job motivation: Low as I don't really enjoy the work (although I can the job well) and don't see much progress career wise

Should I move on to another job even though i might not get the pay/environment/workload as I have now or stick with current job and find another side job/side interest (like learn new language, new cert, side income generation etc) at the same time?

This is called back side itchy

Count your blessings.
Better get side job. If still young then ok to get more challenge, but if want to settle down, just stay there better even if it's boring, only jump if found some place that is *truly* beneficial. (And also you better be the ambitious type too)

I am moving to new job, where I am seeing the patterns of having to take work back home. Past 3 previous jobs I never had to take work home regardless of how stressful or bullshit they could be (except for rare cases), so now I am regretting that even weekends also not peaceful because someone will probably kacau me later. Workplace is ok, but dang, meeting at 6:30pm and then next day 9AM want the discussed things (meaning I have to do it at night lah). Now my weekends and after work hours also not peaceful already. (I saw someone cc-ing emails at 1AM on weekend nights! Crazy!)

If you can leave your work at work after end of work hours, and you're already thinking of settling down, then better get side job/side interest that you can pour your hearts contents into.

Be thankful for the job that you have currently.

I don't see why TS shouldn't try the market outside.

Doing something you passionate like, is worth the risk.

I think looking for pain is not a good idea especially if you are middle age.

Seems like most prefer to stay status quo. Thanks for all the feedback

Progression can be internal, not necessarily external. Example: if there's any scope within your company which interests you, talk to your HR/ Dept Head on the possibility of an internal transfer. Or, whether there's an opportunity for a promotion. During your annual review, ask what's your career progression going to be because you can't see it. Hear out what your superior says.

At the same time yes, you can also sign up for new online courses on Coursera or MDEC for part time learning, or take up new language whether as a hobby or as something that complements your work.

Lastly, there's always no harm to explore & find out what's the market out there. You can check to see if your salary/ market value really is "good" as you thought, or others have been paying more. If you actually receive an offer, consider it carefully whether to make the move.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Sep 1 2022, 09:45 AM

Yah, if jump might end up in a shit hole but if don't jump, it's a grind to go to work everyday

At my age, I guess I'm looking for the job that I enjoy rather than higher positions. Will probably have to monitor and see whether any internal jobs that are interesting but this could be taking quite some time.

i can relate. the saying 'the grass is greener on the other side' was what hitting in my head when i was working previously. i felt my work was a chore, and the only thing i continued to work because i needed the money to pay my bills, and... because also i could not find a high pay flexible job.

but anyways, do you know where is your future destination? as in do you know what do you wanna do in the future? i know there is a saying that our day job can help us pave our way to our dreams.

what i did was work freelance apart from my flexible day job. it helped me tolerated my day job better though.

Frankly, still exploring what I can do apart from day job. Immediate term will probably go for courses/certification relevant to my day job as it has been a while didn't have time to do so.

Non work related interests, still need to think about it. Interested in financial planning stuff but doubt can make a living out of it as Malaysian generally don't trust externals apart from relationship manager from banks to consult them on money matters

Middle age liao don't think so much la.
Just continue to do your job save money and invest wisely.
All these try new things are for young people who can take the fall and get back up because they still have a long career runway.