As Alfred, Lord Tennyson so perceptively observed, “In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”.
In today’s more commercial times, it is likely that men and women, young and old will also regard the spring as a trigger to think about moving home.
Neither of those is strictly within the remit of this column but there is also a third spring pastime that almost every reader should consider.
Once you have got over the alcohol and optimistic resolutions, the first few months of the year are a prime time to consider changing jobs.
Not only are employers generally looking to recruit following departures that coincided with the Christmas festivities but for reasons that might subconsciously mirror those identified by his Lordship, people in work seem to get itchy feet.
We accountants tend to be naturally cautious types and therefore will often think briefly about a change of jobs but recognise nothing more than a long list of potential downsides.
If I move, will I be a victim of last in first out? Will a new employer be even more of a tyrant than the devil I already know? Will I be so far out of my depth that I have a nervous breakdown and become completely unemployable? These are only a few of the neurotic reactions that any self-respecting accountant might naturally debate with themselves.
However, there is another far more positive side to this story.
Typically, anyone who changes jobs will get a pay rise and there are reasonable odds that this will also be linked to what is effectively a promotion or, at the very least, a new, better-sounding title.
There will also be fresh challenges, which are typically good for both the mind and the soul.
Frequently, we get trapped in jobs that are unfulfilling and imagine an inability to do anything better. By taking on something new, there is often an opportunity to find out hidden depths and kickstart a career that had been in the doldrums.
Even if a bit of a look around does not lead to a change of employment, there will be by products that could also be helpful.
For example, if you’re the kind who has spent the last year moaning and groaning about a terrible job, seeing that the grass isn’t greener on the other side can often make life feel a little better.
If you do get a fantastic job offer but feel insecure about joining another organisation, there may also be a chance to negotiate a better deal with your employer after informing him or her about your evident marketability.
As this column is being penned, the sun is shining, the sky is showing signs of blue and spring is fast approaching. Given such pleasant auguries, maybe this is the moment to pick up the phone and speak with a friendly employment consultant. It could be the start of something beautiful.
