The Rule of 33%: Or How I Think About Changing Jobs

I’m (hopefully) right in the middle of my life expectancy. I’m 43, and I like to think I’ll be around until 85 (or more). I’d sign that contract without hesitation. In Andalucía, we have a saying for this point in life. We say you’re “turning the jamón serrano,” like when you flip the ham halfway through the curing process. It means you’re at the midpoint, and there’s still a lot of flavour left to come.

A good number of my friends are around my age. Some of them I’ve known since childhood. And, well, a few of them are going through what we usually call a classic midlife crisis. To be honest, I’m not sure if I’ve already passed mine, if I’m in the middle of it, or if I’ve been living in a permanent low-key life crisis 😅.

That phase, the middle of life, often comes with a big question: Is this the life I wanted to live? And one of the first areas people look at is work.

A lot of people I know are thinking about switching jobs. If you’re reading this from outside Spain, you should know that switching jobs here is a pretty big deal. I know this sounds generic, but culturally, we really value stability. Like, a lot.

Also, we’re actively hiring at Predictable Machines, and I’ve been talking to people who are considering leaving their current roles to join us. These conversations are always deep. You can feel people are not just changing jobs, they’re making big life decisions. And that has brought me back to a simple framework I’ve carried with me for a while.

I call it:

The Rule of 33%

In my view, a job can be evaluated using three dimensions. Each of them has the same weight. Like three legs of a stool. If one is broken or missing, everything starts to wobble.

• What you get
• What you do
• Who you do it with

(And just a side note: if the total sum of these three is above 90%, you’re in a dream job. Be careful with any move, because it might mean taking a step back.)

1. What you get

Yes, we work in exchange for money or some kind of compensation. That’s the first “glass” you need to fill.

This includes your salary, benefits, bonuses, equity, and also how well that compensation matches your market value. Not just today, but in terms of your growth potential.

2. What you do

Are you doing something that’s aligned with your purpose? Are you learning things you love? Do you feel fulfilled by the work itself?

Basically, do you enjoy your day-to-day, or is every day a small existential crisis?

3. Who you’re doing it with

I’ve always been a social animal. And I deeply believe we become better versions of ourselves when we’re surrounded by the right people.

Do you like your coworkers? Do they bring something positive into your life, not just professionally? Does your work environment challenge you, motivate you, and also take care of you?

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In my honest opinion, you should aim for a score above 70%. But more than the total, what really matters is how balanced the three parts are. A job where one leg is doing all the work while the others are weak can hold for a while, but it’s not sustainable. Ideally, you want all three dimensions to be strong and aligned, even if none of them is perfect.

Now, if you’re below 50%, my friend, it’s time to get your ass out of there.

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The good news? These three areas are fluid. Like three glasses of water. You can pour into one, let one rest, refill another. This perspective has always helped me understand where I’m at, and what I want next.

Would love to hear how you think about this.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on LinkedIn or Twitter. I’ll be reading and learning from what you share.

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