Why do people stay at the same job?

I am always curious what makes someone stay in the same job for more than a few years. For me, it is passion, challenge, and the chance to be rewarded for being very good at what I do. That is why I run an agency, and that is why I like what I do. But I have to trade off team work (sometimes I am solo, sometimes I am not), and financial security (can you say 2009??), and I cannot easily specialize in one piece of the puzzle. That last one makes me tired some days.

But enough about me, what makes you tick?

I would love to hear from people who have been in the same job for more than 2 years, I find the answers truly interesting and maybe you hold the key to retention within an organization.

Comment by Graham Hart on June 9, 2010 at 12:23am: Julia assuming there has not been a bad hiring decision the international research seems to indicate that we tend to leave Bosses more than organisations.

It seems a good Boss can make up for a lot of things a like poor working environment, poor rewards, no training etc.
This is of course important for most of us, but how we react to a change in that situation is going vary a great deal depending on how we see the world and the rationalisations we make for ourselves on reasons for staying or going.
Most people are a little risk adverse in my experience and that will influence their rationalisations for staying or going.

Comment by Jerry Albright on June 9, 2010 at 10:02am: I stay for mainly one reason - I am unemployable for anyone but myself.

I am always right and many (most? all?) people who need a guy like me woulnd't want the attitude.

So I'm stuck here.

Comment by Dan Nuroo on June 9, 2010 at 10:27am: I've been in my current role for 8 years now... time flies when you're having fun. Why? some days I have no idea. However I've been able to grow and some would say grow up with this company. The opportunity, some real, some just in my head with that problematic word potential. I've bought into the ideals of the company, and the opportunity to continually grow something is a great motivator.

Security is definitely a big pull as well, now I have 3 children and a sole income earner, stability and security that I am provided is also a huge factor.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on June 13, 2010 at 1:06pm: I can smoke in my own damn office and anybody that doesn't like it can take it somewhere else and preach.