Dare’s got an interesting post on “Dealing with the Seven Year Itch …”. In my experience, and in watching many of the people around me, I think the itch comes along once every two to three years (assuming you scratch the itch when it appears). My first itch almost three years ago was delivered prematurely. I can vouch for this:
[…] I’ve had a number of friends go through the sense of needing change or career dissatisfaction which leads to the seven year itch. Both at Microsoft and elsewhere. Some of them have ended up dealing with this poorly and eventual became disgruntled and unhappy with their jobs which turns into a vicious cycle. […] here are the three most successful, proactive steps I’ve seen them make:
(1) Change your perspective. […]
(2) Change your organization. […]
(3) Change your job. […]
If you haven’t done #1 by the time you get the itch, or aren’t doing #2 already (actually, you shouldn’t get the itch if you’re doing #2), then #3 is really your only option.
I’m at 4.5 years working at MSFT now. The five year mark is when they give you the five-year service award. Assuming I don’t get laid off in the next six months, I should have some more reflective thoughts later. I never would have imagined that I’d still be around here after five years. When I first started, I scoffed at some that had been around for just two years! Crazy.
red hot place 