One of the hardest choices to make is picking the field you want to work in. Figuring out what you want to do is a journey in and of itself. However, there may come a time when what you want to do changes and it is imperative that you know when it is time to quit.
Before you quit your job, you need to understand that a huge step like that requires thorough consideration. There are many factors that have led you to this outcome. Rather than running away from the possibility, it is best to take a moment to recognise what feelings and thoughts have led you to this crossroad.
We as individuals never stop changing, and as we grow, so do our passions and goals. The more we understand ourselves, the more likely it is that we will change. Knowing when to take a step back and consider what we want now is crucial for our development. Stunting our future growth for a passion based on the past is detrimental, as what drove us before could now be holding us back.
Resigning from a job can feel like failure, but it is important to remember that everything has its time. Leaving a job is the result of many factors, and we are here to help you identify some of the reasons you can watch for. If you are feeling lost, unfocused, or without motivation, read on!
Before you quit, take the time to understand why you want to.
Why are you in this field?
Do you love what you do? Do you feel a sense of fulfillment doing your work?
Remember that you are in this field for a reason. Once you have lost sight of your passion, then it is a slippery slope heading towards burnout. If you are doing the work that drives you, then it is high time to consider what else in your life might be affecting your internal goals, energy, and motivation.
Are you appreciated and properly compensated?
If the problem is not with your efforts, then consider why you are feeling lost or without motivation.
Is the work you’re providing receiving recognition?
Are your superiors acknowledging your hard work?
Do you feel satisfied at the end of a long workday
If you are leaving work feeling drained and unappreciated, it is not a matter of your effort and commitment. It could be your talents are being overlooked by your superiors who cannot recognise your worth. A common saying, which I personally have found true, “people don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses.” If they do not recognise you now, will they ever in the future?
Is your work environment healthy?
Evaluating your workplace is not just about the physical settings. It includes your supervisors as well as your colleagues. Workplace bullying is a worst-case scenario that some may face, but incidents do not need to be extreme to be considered toxic.
An unreliable manager, a dysfunctional team, impossible targets, and an unreasonable client could induce severe bouts of negativity that will be hard to recover from. The problem with unhealthy work environments is that once the negativity sets in, it will begin affecting numerous aspects of your life outside of work. Bringing workplace issues home is an important sign that something is happening that needs reflection.
Are there opportunities for growth and development?
The work you are doing should not be stunting you. There should not be limiters or roadblocks. Rather than holding you back, your workplace should be a source of grounding. It should be a place where you can safely build the foundations of your goals. If you feel yourself in a dead end with no foreseeable opportunities for growth and development, then that is something you should note as soon as possible.
Staying in a career that will turn stale is no way to improve, and if you feel like you have reached the end of your potential within your company, you should begin looking outwards.
Does your job threaten to compromise your ethics?
You started working for a reason. It may not be specific, and some jobs can be a stepping stone for larger things. However, what you need to always consider is whether your current career aligns with your values. If your workplace causes you to do work you are not comfortable with or do not agree with, then it is time to consider that this may not be the right avenue you should be taking.
You should not be wasting your time doing something that forces you to compromise with what you believe in. Remember to stay true to who you are, because companies can come and go, but who you are should never be put to question.
Have you explored your options with your employer?
If you feel lost, that is the perfect time to seek help from your supervisors. They are there for a reason. Your employer should be there to guide you and keep you motivated. If you feel any discomfort with your work, it is their role to provide reassurance and acknowledgement. You should not be afraid to voice any issues you are facing. And if you raise concerns and they are met with dismissals and criticism, then quitting should be considered.
What would you be giving up by quitting?
Why do you want to stay in this job? What will you lose by choosing to resign? Do the pros outweigh the cons? These are things to consider before resigning. Sometimes the benefits seem worth the demands and potential exhaustion but think about the long term. Will the benefits of this job keep you fulfilled in the long-run?
Is there a better offer at another organisation?
If the workplace environment is unhealthy and your superiors do not care about your wellbeing, then you need to consider your exit plan.
Do you have something to fall back on? Is there another job waiting for you?
Does this alternative workplace align better with your goals and values?
What is the potential for growth there?
There is no point jumping from one meaningless job to another. Make sure you have a proper goal before putting everything aside and quitting.
Exit with grace
Once you have considered everything and decided to leave, it is important to exit on a high note. After all, this is a place where you have dedicated time and effort. Communicate with your supervisor over your decision and stay focused on how leaving will support your professional goals (rather than criticise the current workplace).
Do what you can to preserve your professional relationships as you never know what the future will bring and keeping connections for your network is always wise. It might be difficult to remember the positives of a job when it has driven you to the point of leaving, but everything has its moments. Despite the difficult workplace, you learned something – even if that something is learning how to let go.
The sunk cost fallacy may play a large role in keeping you still, but how much you invested in something does not always equal substantial results. It is better that you invest your time and effort into a job that leaves you feeling accomplished and ready for new challenges.
If you feel like the decision is hard to make alone, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Contact us for a safe place to consider the issues and a chance to hear perspectives from professionals outside of your field.
Author Bio
Deborah Knight is the founder of Xsead Lead with a background in organisational and individual leadership and executive coaching.
As a coach, Deborah aims to create an inclusive and respectful space where individuals and organisations can do the work necessary for growth and change. She is also passionate about helping women be valued for themselves while also contributing and being successful.
Apart from her company which she is deeply passionate about, Deborah also loves bushwalking, reading, travelling, and learning new things.
For any coaching or organisational support enquiries Deborah can be contacted via email: info@xseedlead.com.au or via her company website which is www.xseedlead.com.au.
