How To Downshift Your Career in 2023

It’s a new year, but the same old work. You’re feeling exhausted, burnt out, and wishing you could just run off to an island somewhere and de-stress for a while. But you’ve felt this way for a long time, and no matter how many productivity tips you try, your work/life balance is still in distress. Maybe it’s time to think about downshifting your career, and don’t worry – though it sounds a little scary, it could actually be the best thing for your future.

What is downshifting your career?

Downshifting your career is just like downshifting a car. You’re slowing down intentionally, willfully, and resolutely to keep control of the vehicle and get where you want to go. But what slowing down means can differ for different people. Downshifting your career can mean reducing your hours in the office or by computer. It can also mean taking more days off or using more paid time off. And downshifting can also involve taking on less work or fewer projects outside of your normal duties.

The difference between downshifting and quiet quitting is that downshifting is done intentionally, spoken about, acknowledged, and done with the future in mind. One can plan to upshift back to full speed in the future or explore new ways to stay on cruise control and shift focus. It all depends on the individual. But if the car of your career is zooming uncontrollably fast, the answer isn’t to duck for cover and pretend it’s not happening. The answer is to slow down the car yourself.

Why is it important?

Downshifting your career might seem like a wrong move that leaves employees destined for a slow career. But in reality, it can be the most important decision of your life if you do it strategically. And for many, the need for downshifting isn’t just out of laziness – it’s a dire need to improve one’s quality of life.

Stepping back from work and refocusing isn’t as taboo as it used to be. In the years following the pandemic, employees yearn for a little less time in the office. The 2022 Women in the Workplace study, a joint report from McKinsey and LeanIn.org, found that 29% of women and 22% of men “have thought about reducing their hours, taking a less demanding job or leaving the workforce altogether.” They want to ease into full retirement in the next few years, spend more time with family and friends, or simply reduce their daily stress.

How do you do it?

If you’re interested in learning more about downshifting or trying it out for yourself, don’t just clock out and quietly quit. There are active ways to ensure that your career doesn’t suffer in the long run.

1. Check your workload

The first thing you need to do if you’re looking at downshifting your career is to look at what you’re cutting out. Ask yourself: is there a way to cut the fat from my daily tasks that won’t result in downshifting? Could I say no to meetings or decline busy work, and would that improve my everyday experience? Maybe there are things you could be reorganizing or reprioritizing that keep burnout at bay and make your job more engrossing.

2. Do a needs and values evaluation

Next, figure out why you’re downshifting your career and what you would get out of it. Do you want fewer hours because you want to spend more time on your family or yourself? If you had more money, would you be tempted to continue working at the pace you are now? What about more time off or personal time? Consider your negotiables and non-negotiables. Then, see if your job aligns with those values. And if it doesn’t, consider how to change that.

3. Set an objective

Just like you wouldn’t downshift a car without knowing where you were going, it’s essential to have a sense of what you’re slowing down for. Where will you be in six months or a year? Is this a permanent pace change you want to instill, or are you just looking to pump the brakes for a while? And if so, what’s your end goal for scaling back? Set some rough timelines for yourself, and have some opportunities for a personal check-in to see if downshifting is working for you.

4. Talk to your team

Now that you know how to downshift, it’s time to talk to your team about it. Scaling back without communication could leave them with more work or create misunderstandings about your dynamic. Make sure you’re not leaving anyone in the lurch and that they know exactly what your plan is – for instance, “I’m cutting back on my hours,” “I’m not taking any new projects on for the next two months,” or “I’m making an effort to transition away from these particular responsibilities.” Have an open conversation and make sure that you stay strong by brainstorming solutions that leave everyone feeling stable.

5. Look at the future

Downshifting isn’t about only scaling back. It’s about going in a different direction and embracing a new way of life. You’re not downshifting just one job, you’re downshifting your career, and you should have a plan for how that looks. Your career doesn’t need to suffer just because you’re making this transition; ideally, downshifting your career will result in slower and more lucrative opportunities that emphasize your skillset.