So, You're Quitting Your Job

I QUIT!

That’s the one sentence we all scream whether in our minds or sometimes out loud when we have reached our limit at work. The woes of coming to an unfulfilling job each day can and many times is depressing and frustrating. The infamous phrase “Do what you love, and you will love what you do” is all fun and games until you are sitting a desk for nine hours out of the day doing something that you neither love or want to do. So, what’s next? Do you have a plan? If you wrote that resignation letter right now, where are you going once you leave the building? Here are a few things to consider before slapping that note on your boss’ desk and telling them to kiss it!

Do you have the funds to cover your expenses?

And I mean ALL your expenses. Yes, Netflix and Disney+ is an expense in these times. Take a moment to write down everything you currently pay. This includes your normal bills (i.e. rent/mortgage, utilities, etc.) and your miscellaneous expenses (i.e. credit cards, Hulu, etc.) and total all those up. See what you do each month with the money you currently make? Now how are you going to pay for this stuff once you get your last check(s) from your current employer?

• Do you have money saved?

• Do you have funds from school if you are currently attending?

• Are you starting a new job?

These are some of the topics to think about before you make the decision to quit. You may not even consider this in the moment but take it from someone who would quit a job at the first whim of foolishness—it never works out in the end. Over come those emotions FIRST before you make a mistake. Even if you have the funds to cover your expenses, if your job offers benefits (i.e. health, dental, vision 401K, etc.) then what are you going to do once those go away? Are you able to cover your own health expenses if you must go to the ER or sick appointment? Just something to think about.

What is your next step?

As mentioned earlier you need to be able to provide for yourself once you tell your current employer goodbye. Next steps are always tough because you never really know what you are going to get. It’s the uncertainty for me. Nevertheless, finding out how your next step will pan out is more about planning than the random action and sitting on your hands waiting for a miracle to drop from the sky.

Maybe you are an entrepreneur and you have long awaited the day to go full time on your passion. This seems like the right time and you’re taking the risk to go for it. Wonderful! Remember the advice written above, though, and shoot. I believe in you!

Or maybe you have been applying to other jobs and have found one that pays better and suits you more with your qualifications and credentials. Shoot for the stars, you are amazing! You may even be in school and your program requires a great deal of your time, so you have been going back and forth with the pros and cons and have decided that you are going to dedicate yourself to school and leave the job behind. Whatever your reason is, make sure it is reasonable and accomplishable so that when you walk away, you will not have to come crawling back begging for the thing you prayed to be loosed from.

Quitting a job that is not serving you is not the worst thing that can happen. In fact, it is among one of the many decisions we all make to find our true purpose. No need sitting waiting for a promotion at a dead end. No need stunting your own growth to conform to an organization that wouldn't think twice about firing you to save a buck. All I am suggesting is take the time to plan your future so that when you do sign that resignation and walk out the door for the last time, you make sure you never have to return to be in the same position again. Thank you for reading. Hit that heart button and if you're generous, leave a tip. It is greatly appreciated.