When this recession is behind us I’m going to blow the lid off my dismal daily grind.

I’ve been hearing a lot of this lately. Many of you are frustrated with your bosses, your lack of raises, your extra work loads for no glory or extra cash, your lack of training or development opportunities, your shrinking retirement savings, and your fatter healthcare co pays and deductibles.

So what’s your plan of action? I know, things are still not great in the job market, but waiting until the economy turns around may be too late if you want to ride the wave to a great new job.

Clearly, many of you would love to get the heck out of what you’re doing now. And employers know that. I can’t tell you how many pitches I get from PR folks on how there’s going to be a mass exodus of workers when the economy reignites.

“There is a lot of pent-up frustration among employees who have survived layoffs, cutbacks, salary freezes, and other givebacks,” said Tim Schoonover, chairman of outplacement company OI Partners. “Some have stayed with their employers mainly because there were no other jobs. But now there are a few more available opportunities. Companies have to demonstrate to employees that they are valued by investing in their career development, or they may lose them.”

OI Partners did a study and found:

* Almost two-thirds (64%) of companies surveyed by OI Partners are apprehensive they may lose managers in a better job market.
* About half of employers (48%) are concerned about losing executives.

Companies are also worried rank and file workers are going to hit the road.

Already, the company points out, many of your are quitting the jobs you have now.

In February – for the first time in 15 months, since October 2008 – the number of employees voluntarily leaving jobs exceeded those being laid off. Again in March and April, more workers voluntarily quit jobs than were discharged, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But I suspect, most of you will just stay in the same gigs. I’ve been through a few downturns in my life and the majority of people tend to

1. let inertia keep them from going for something new.
2. not spend any time working on their own career development so the opportunities are limited.
3. be too afraid to try something new, move to a new town, or risk going for a great gig that may not have the job security they’ve grown accustomed to.

Fear is a big one. But you simply have to overcome it. Why? Most of the successful and happy people I’ve interviewed in my career took a big chance or chances at some point in their careers.

One CEO told me he took a job with a company that was sure to go out of business because it gave him the experience he needed to move up the ladder. The company did go bankrupt but he ended up with a key position on his resume. Another guy left behind an expense account and a solid paycheck when his children were still young to start his own company and never looked back. A top woman leader in the military left a secure career behind to work for a non profit and is now the head of a major women’s sporting association.

So, if you really aren’t happy with what you do or your employer, I suggest you deal with these issues if you think you might fall victim to one or all three. The best way to do this is to come up with a game plan now. I know, you’re comfortable right now because the pay check keeps coming, and you like the people you work with, and it’s close to your home, etc., etc. But prolonging action now will bring regrets later.

Don’t wait until the economy turns around to get on the I’m-going-to-get-a-new-job bandwagon. What can you do today?

(If you’re not sure where to start, comment below, or send me an email (telleve@gmail.com), and maybe we can come up with some suggestions.)