Emotions can play a big part in your career particularly when it comes to thinking about leaving one company for another.

Certainly if you have been with a company for a significant period of time and/or are close with your manager, you might be very emotional when it comes time to resign your position after accepting a job elsewhere.

Emotions can also come into play when considering a new job opportunity that is in front of you. Emotions can cause you to start thinking with your heart rather than your head especially if you are wooed by a potential employer and they make you feel like the most important person in the world.

You might find yourself particularly attracted to certain aspects of a potential new job such as the thought of a nice corner office, expense account or working for a more prestigious company that you are working for now.

Suddenly, you dont start thinking as clearly as you should be and often it doesnt become apparent until its too late and youve already made your decision based on the emotions you were feeling earlier.

The important part of your emotions is ensuring they are kept in check and that they dont override common sense especially when it comes to important career decisions.

Here are some thoughts regarding how to minimize the chances that your emotions take over during critical times of decision-making:

1. Whenever possible try to take time to think about your decision before acting on it.

For example, if you are considering a job offer and have been given several days by the employer to think about whether to accept or decline it, take a day or so to think about it if youre a bit unsure as to whether or not the job is right for you. Dont feel like you have to make your decision right away if you dont have to.

2. Give proper consideration to decisions that will have a long-term effect.

This is especially true when it comes to something that you cant undo ie. resigning a job for another. Always give proper attention to a decision that you cant go back on and ensure that its well-thought out before acting on it.

3. Remember that the grass isnt always greener on the other side.

Emotions can come into play when you are in a job that you dont like and feel like youd do anything to escape it. Leaving one bad job for another bad one can happen if you simply look for another company who will hire you and take a new job thinking/hoping/praying it will be better than what you have now. Dont let emotions lead you from one bad situation to another.