When Is It Time To Quit Your Job? 7 Signs & Some Good Advice!

Everyone who earns an income has a job. This means the exact definition of that word is extremely wide and far-reaching. Put simply, a job is any activity that is done, either once or regularly, in exchange for money. A job therefore includes all activities, whether insignificantly small or insanely complex, that can lead to some form of income or profit. In many cases, it usually refers to a position of employment or work.

Although almost everyone has a job, many people have jobs that don’t fulfill, challenge, or make them happy. Working such jobs will often make you feel like you are wasting your time and constantly draining your energy and spirit.

So how do you know “when is it time to quit your job“? This article will show you some of the hints that you may be missing to help you decide whether or not it’s time to move on.

1. MAKING CARELESS MISTAKES

Simple everyday fumbles like scheduling meetings on top of one another or making a grave typo while typing an email normally happen for sure. However, you notice that for some reason they have started practically dominating your work, it could be interpreted as disengagement, lack of concentration and lack of commitment to your position, and might be a clear signal that it is time to quit your job.

2. TOXIC ENVIRONMENT

Being in a job where you are constantly ridiculed, disrespected or mistreated puts you in a toxic situation. When you consider how many hours you spend at your job, it probably is going to turn into a daily agonizing situation. If you have already explored all your options to try to change your situation for the better with no success, it might be time to call it quits.

3. BEING PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY UNHEALTHY

If you notice a downward spiral in your overall health that can be directly attributed to your job, that is a huge red flag. It is never a good idea to try and tough it out in such cases. If your physical or mental health is being impacted, your ability to concentrate and your overall performance and productivity will also get negatively impacted. Therefore, if your job is detrimental to your health, and resources or flexibility to improve it are lacking, then it might be best to move on.

4. BEING TOO ADEPT AT YOUR JOB

Everyone gets better with practice. When you stick with the same job for many years, you consistently get better at it. There will come a time when you will be so good that you can execute most tasks with your eyes closed. Almost every professional eventually reaches a plateau in a job that they’re great at, but this does not mean that they have finally reached the top. If you find your job being the easiest thing you do all day, it’s probably time to make a move and take on new responsibilities or a new job.

5. GETTING TOO CUSHY

Most people believe that being comfortable or confident in your job is a good indicator of success. Well, it could mean the exact opposite. In fact, most studies show that if you want to thrive in your career, the best time to seek out other opportunities is when things are going well.

6. BRINGING CONSISTENT NEGATIVE ENERGY INTO YOUR HOME LIFE

Considering that no job is perfect, it is human nature to complain. That being said, do you bring a really poor attitude from work to your home daily? If you are getting consistent negative vibes from your job, then maybe it’s time to think about what is causing you to dislike your job so much and consider what you wish was different. Then go for something that offers that.

7. TELLING YOURSELF THAT IT’S ‘JUST A JOB’

Do you find yourself convincing yourself that you shouldn’t care or expect so much from your job? If this happens and your job strikes you as just a job instead of as an avenue of learning and progression, use this as a chance to reflect on what’s really bugging you. Seek to see if you can improve yourself in that job, and if not then it might be time to move on.

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QUITTING AND HOW TO DO IT

Keep in mind that quitting is hard as it may carry an implication that you gave up or did not try hard enough. It might be surprisingly difficult and hard to figure out when to quit. How do you make sure you quit for the right reasons? Well, here are a few steps to help you think through your job progress and making the best decision about when to quit.

Step 1: Face What’s Actually There

Before you call it quits, look carefully at the current situation and figure out what the problem is. Be sure to also check your happiness basics (nutrition, exercise, human connection, health) before you quit your job. Sometimes, the issue has little to do with your job and more to do with your personal life.

Step 2: Find Out Whether Your Issue is Temporary or Permanent.

If you are experiencing a permanent issue, staying in that situation will only end up costing you time without contributing to your career development. If that is the case, then it might be best to quit your job with no hesitation.

Step 3: Reflect on Your Personal “Point Of No Return”

Do you have an abusive boss? Does your job have no opportunities for growth or career development? Is the commute too long, consuming over two hours in one direction perhaps? Have you equipped yourself with a set of personal requirements or decision factors that lay the foundation for you to do your job?

Step 4: Decide What Needs To Change to Propel You to Stay

Assess the situation in your job that is making you uncomfortable and making you wish to quit and see if it can be salvaged. Perhaps the situation can be rectified and if not, then it might be best to move on.

Step 5: Find Out Whether You Have Exhausted Your Options For Making it Better

Instead of asking yourself whether it’s the right time to quit your job and scrambling for new job opportunities, try to make a genuine effort to improve the situation. This step makes you own your part in the mess and then you can begin digging your way out.

Who wouldn’t want to be happy at work when they have the chance to actually be happy there? If you find yourself miserable and your happiness compromised by your job, then it’s time to evaluate your work environment and identify where the problem is.

Before you plan your departure, here are some questions you need to ask yourself;

Are you sitting at a desk for too many hours of the day?
Do you prefer to be interacting with people more?
Do you feel like you’ve outgrown your work environment?
Is the job you’re doing something you’re passionate about?
Do you dread going in on Monday mornings?
Is your specific work environment not for you anymore?

There may be never a perfect time to quit your job, but, depending on your situation, some specific times are worse than others. Be smart about when you choose to leave and make sure you consider all the factors carefully and weigh the pros and cons of your reasons for moving on.

SOLID REASONS FOR QUITTING YOUR JOB

You are about to be fired.

Quitting when you are about to be fired is an advantage on the brighter side. You will not have to explain to future employers during job interviews that you were terminated. It’s easier to explain a resignation.

You fought with your boss or co-worker.

If you’ve had a conflict at work and you have explored avenues of making amends and trying to be in good terms again, but your efforts are not fruitful, then you can strategically settle on quitting as your way out.

You’re in line for a promotion.

Are you up for a promotion? Quitting soon after the promotion will usually land you better prospects than you would have gotten before the promotion. Plus, it always feels great to put a better job title on your resume.

You’ve taken on a big project.

If you decide to take a step further and take on a bigger project may be to elevate your career, then it might be a good time to move on. Just remember to give your employer a heads up as it could be the worst possible time for your boss and your team.

You have a baby or about to have one.

Parenting is an overwhelming task. You might be entitled to paid or unpaid time off if you’re pregnant or have an infant. If you feel like parenting and committing to your job are going to rub each other the wrong way and exhaust you, then it might be best for you to quit.

Your skills aren’t being tapped.

Are you stuck in a position that doesn’t allow you to utilize your skills? Then it might be time to start considering other options. When you know you have more to offer, don’t doubt yourself and get ready for a change.

Even little things feel overwhelming.

Stress at work is inevitable, but every moment shouldn’t feel so soul sucking that you just can’t deal and you’re no longer able to handle even little setbacks. If you get upset about every little thing that’s happening at work, it may be a sign that it is time to quit.

The grass is actually greener.

If you compare your current job with a job prospect head to head and your current job isn’t stacking up, you may opt to quit and take on the new job. You may also want to move up the ranks and your work place has no position but it is present in another company.

Your employer’s goal and your personal mission don’t match up.

Does your employer’s goals sync with your ambitions and personal mission? If not, you will realize you are investing your time in the wrong job. If that’s the case then moving on might be the most suitable thing to do.

You feel like you can’t ever win

Does your job make you feel like you are fighting a losing battle and not achieving anything? Your job should make you feel exhilarated and challenged. If you are constantly feeling that you can never win at work, it might be best to move on.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T QUIT

As much as you may be planning to quit your job, there are several reasons that may force you to rethink your options:

You don’t have a long-term career plan, so your move would be lateral as opposed to upward.
You don’t have another job lined up and no savings
You’ve recently made a commitment to a project, which means if you left you would leave your colleagues or your boss shorthanded at a very critical time.
You don’t have an emergency fund.
You haven’t finished classes reimbursed by your employer.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you decide to quit your job, understand that you will have to think smart and carefully plan your departure to make sure that you are quitting at the best possible time. Take your time to carefully and professionally tell your employer that you’re leaving, and when you intend to leave. Make the decision to quit on your terms and have a timeline for your departure in place. This will make your departure and transition process seamless and pleasurable for all the parties involved.

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