WHEN TO CALL IT QUITS

We’ve all been in a job situation that’s less than stellar. But, at what point do you tip the scales from being a happy, willing employee to one who cannot give one more hour of your time.  

Whether your organization has become one you couldn’t support, or the environment has become toxic, it’s time to take a hard look at your options. 

BOTTOM LINE: YOU’RE BORED
If you’re working on autopilot, the doldrums have probably set in. You punch the clock and do the same tasks day in and day out. There’s nothing new or unfamiliar, and your brain hasn’t been challenged since, well…you don’t actually remember being challenged to begin with. Every day, you watch the clock until it’s an acceptable hour to leave. Then, you make a mad dash to meet your friends where you moan and groan about your job. Your weekends slip by impossibly fast and before you know it, it’s Monday all over again. 

TO QUIT OR NOT? It might sound like an obvious reason to quit, but hold your horses for just a moment. Have you approached your boss about taking on a new challenge? What about transferring to a different department or learning a new skill? If the company is a good one, you’ll benefit from staying on and checking out what else they have to offer. 

However, if you feel like you’ve done everything you can to learn from your role and your company, then it may be time to look elsewhere.  

STRESS AND ANXIETY TO THE MAX
It’s Sunday afternoon. While most of your friends and family and enjoying what’s left of the weekend, you’re anything but relaxed. The thought of heading into the office is overwhelming you. In fact, even thinking about what happens at work fills you with dread and you come home angry or crying at least one day each week.

TO QUIT OR NOT? If you can’t remember the last time you were happy at work, it’s time to start looking for something else. If your stress is a simple “I work too hard” or I don’t like my commute,” than hang in there for a bit longer and address those specifics with your supervisor. (Delegation and teleworking, anyone?)  This is especially important if you have no other source of finances.

However, if you’re dealing with harassment or inappropriate behavior, it’s time to break up. Remember that work every work relationship comes to an end at some point. And keep in mind that you deserve basic consideration and respect. If you’re being treated unfairly – or things are getting downright rude – it’s time for a change. Make sure you’re connecting with your human resources department. Fill them in on what’s going on and make sure you document every incident.

YOU CHOOSE THE WRONG JOB
Whoops. You had two job offers to pick from and you chose wrong. (Hindsight is 20/20, right?) Not only do you think your line or work isn’t for you, but you’re envious of your friends who are have different careers. You feel like your skills aren’t being used and it’s just not what you had in mind when you accepted the offer. Whatever the issue is, you’re ready for something different.

TO QUIT OR NOT? Don’t quit yet. You made the leap without really thinking it through the first time, so let’s not make that mistake again. Do you already have a plan in place? 

One sure-fire way to test it out is to make your dream career a side-hustle. Would you rather be designing websites? Offer to put together a simple site for a friend’s company. This way, you’ll see firsthand if you expectations match the reality BEFORE you make the leap. If you foresee your new venture paying the bills, then get your plan together and follow your dreams.
 
THE AWFUL BOSS 
No matter what you’ve tried, you just can’t see eye-to-eye with your boss. Maybe he or she is a controlling micromanager when you’re perfectly capable of doing your job well. Or, maybe they’re happy to point out a mistake despite the fact that your performance is normally stellar. And, have you ever met an ego that was THAT BIG?

TO QUIT OR NOT? Jobs are like houses. The more you’ve experienced, the more you learn about what you like. Maybe you discovered that you love having an open floor plan or that you never want to deal with a laundry room on the first floor again.  The next time you’re in the market for a house you know what to look for – and what to avoid. The same goes for your boss. Though the nice ones are great, we often learn the most from the miserable ones.  
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Some bosses think that turning up the heat motivates their employees. And while it does exactly that for some, it may do nothing but drive you away. If you’ve talked with your supervisor about what works well for you and nothing has changed, it may be time to revamp your resume.   

Some final thoughts...
Remember how I said that every job comes to an end? When you’ve decided that it’s time to move on, do just that. Instead of holding on to it and potentially overstaying your welcome, you need to exit gracefully. Don’t forget to hold your head up high as you move on to the next amazing career adventure. Remember you ARE valuable and when you find the right position for you, both you and your employer will feel valued to have one another.