Are you in a miserable dead-end job and want to quit, walk out the door, and never come back? When you’re so unhappy and stressed, the quickest relief may appear to be quitting your job. And depending upon your level of stress, with some work situations quitting may be the only option. However, the decision to quit a job deserves careful consideration.
Before you quit, ask yourself these 6 questions:
- Do I have enough money to cover a minimum of six months of living expenses? You will most likely need this time, and possibly more, to figure out your next step, whether it’s additional education, making a career change, or another option. On top of this, you need to add in time to apply and interview for jobs.
- Am I willing to give up extras for a while: gourmet coffee, haircuts, eating out, gym membership? While each of these is a small thing when you’re employed, the costs add up quickly when you don’t have a steady income.
- Am I leaving work on a good note with my boss? This could have some influence over your ability to get your next job so try not to burn bridges; it’s not worth it.
- Are there less-essential responsibilities I can delegate, share, or let go of, that could lighten my load and reduce my stress level? If you can improve your work (and personal) situation, at least for a while, it could give you breathing space to figure out your next step and possibly help you avoid quitting your job before you have a plan.
- If I do quit, how can I structure my day so I have sufficient job search time, and also time for self-care activities like exercise? If your stress level, health, and/or moods are being compromised by an unhealthy or poor work situation, you may need to quit. If you do, it’s important to have a daily plan that carves out dedicated time to figure out your next career move, and includes TLC for yourself.
- Are you working with a life coach? Working with a life coach can help you find your purpose and next niche quicker than trying to figure it out on your own.
Call Marilyn to get started on a step-by-step approach to help you clarify your needs and figure out your next steps.