How long is too long to spend at any one agency? I'm happy and comfortable where I am so I've never seriously considered leaving, but I worry that I'm hurting my long-term career prospects.

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OMG you two, knock it off! Grass is NOT greener, not these days anyway.

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Why should happy have an expiration date? Consider yourself lucky and stay as long as that’s true.

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I’m in the same boat, OP. I’ve been at my current agency for 5 years and genuinely enjoy the people and level of respect I get. But part of me wants to work a different part of my brain so I don’t feel like a human template

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Where do ya'll work? I want to be happy too.

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Haha, I left a job I was happy with for more money once. It was one of the worst mistakes I could have made.

We often forget to be happy in our lives when we're consumed with work. There is certainly a balance to growing and being happy which if you can get at your current agency then by all means stay. But if your only problem with your current agency is that you're worried others will perceive you as weak, then I wouldn't worry about made up problems.

If that doesn't convince you, try checking out some of the posts in the mental health fish bowl and consider yourself lucky. Stress and depression can be quite prevalent in this industry and there are plenty of agencies willing to burn you out on work if they can sucker you in.

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Also, maybe I should get into Strategy?

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I know how lucky I am! I think about it every day. I'm a planner though, both in title and in life, so I try to play out different scenarios. I worry that if my position were eliminated here, could I still thrive as a director-level person who has spent most of her career in the same place? Would I be an attractive candidate? SDS1, I hear you on the template thing! I'm lucky to have experienced different clients, but I've heard from other people that our department has a very distinct way of doing things. I just want to be prepared.

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5 years is the limit unless you are progressing and climbing the ladder

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Past 7 years means you might fall being in pay increases

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No right answer OP...it’s a about personal fulfillment. Riding out your career at an agency with a great culture, good people, etc, is fine, nothing wrong with that. But...if your goals are more focused on growth, $$$ and diversified experience...then make some moves. But...each decision will most likely mean you sacrifice something.

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You will know when it’s time to go. But don’t leave if you’re happy. There’s a difference between being happy and too comfortable

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If you are happy...STAY. No money or title or new position will make you happier than you are now

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Have you worked in other strategy departments before? I’ve been in a few now and every place has their own approach and process, but it really is the same concept - the ways of doing it you can learn if you were to move. Wouldn’t have that as the reason to leave though.

3-5years

I'm coming up on 8 years and have the same, very real fear, but I also have such a sweet setup (good work life, an office, good people) that I've turned down other better paying, better titled jobs. It's tough.

I was just thinking about this today. I was told when I started to not stay more than a couple years due to working on a vice brand. But I love my team, work environment, culture. While I know that can change, I don't want to leave only because of the amount of years I put in.

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