What is it about this time of year that turns your head to new directions?

Every year, just around this time, I get the urge to "Go West." One year, about 12 years ago, I heeded that advice and left my home in Montreal and headed to Los Angeles. I had a breaking point. One where I knew that I could no longer stay in current situation. There wasn't even a pivotoal breaking point. It was just that when the last straw came, my decision was made. It was very easy and at the same time one of the most challenging (I know, doesn't really make sense) periods of my life -- I chose to reinvent my life.

At this time of year, the same phenomenon happens in the workforce. Many companies have performance reviews coming up, bonus plan payouts, budget cuts or budget plans for the coming year...but a lot of employees get the urge to "Go West" or, in many cases, "Get Out of Dodge."

A terrific article in my favorite paper, the Wall Street Journal, by writer Jared Sandberg, Had It Up to HERE? Despite Risk,Some Say Quitting Is Way to Go. I'm not telling you to read this article and quit your jobs! An emphatic NO! But I guarantee the article will resonate with you.