If you hate your job, it’s understandable that you’d want to quit as soon as possible. However, it may not be the best choice to make, financially or in terms of personal fulfillment, especially if you’re just starting out in your career. This guide will help you figure out whether or not it’s safe to quit your job, so you can choose the right option for your future.
1) Positive Reinforcement From Others
When you’re in a toxic work environment, it can be difficult to believe that quitting is a good idea. It can feel like you’re alone and that your perspective is warped by negativity. In reality, you might have just been overlooking all of the positive reinforcement from others who think it’s time for you to move on. Quitting your job isn’t always easy, but don’t let toxic co-workers deter you from moving onto something new. Ask around and seek advice from friends and family members who will support your decisions—not knock them down. Be open about what’s getting you down at work and enlist help as you start planning your next steps. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak or incapable; it makes you smart because it shows your confidence in knowing there are people out there who want to see you succeed.
a) Don’t Ignore the Small Stuff: We all know that looking at our big picture goals helps us keep going when we get frustrated with our jobs (because they’re anything but glamorous). The problem is, day-to-day stresses tend to take precedence over those big goals when we’re feeling beaten down by our employers or colleagues.
b) There Are People Out There Who Want to See You Succeed: So much of our job satisfaction comes from within ourselves. The good news is that we don’t have to depend on anyone else for us to feel proud of what we’ve accomplished and continue working hard towards our goals. However, there’s a lot to be said for getting positive reinforcement from other people—including co-workers, supervisors, or clients—when you’re on shaky ground with your job. Whether it’s praise or simply validation that you’re doing a good job, you can get energized by surrounding yourself with people who will support your decisions and help you keep moving forward.
2) A Lack of Passion For the Job
If you’re doing your job without passion, without feeling inspired, without meaning—if it feels like a chore—then it might be time to move on. No job should feel meaningless and if yours does, you’re probably better off quitting and finding one that doesn’t make you want to run for the door every afternoon. The lack of passion for work is often an indication that you’ve outgrown your position and are ready for a change. Don’t settle for something that makes you dislike going to work; instead find something more suitable. Passion comes from within but if there isn’t any at work perhaps its time to find new surroundings where your inner fire can grow and shine through.
3) No Room for Growth
If you’re stuck in a job with little to no room for growth, then you should start thinking about moving on. While not everyone is lucky enough to have unlimited potential in their careers, if you find yourself constantly getting passed over or outright passed by others—perhaps your skills are outdated or perhaps you’re just not being given a fair shot—then it might be time to seek greener pastures. When it comes down to it, your livelihood will always be better served with a skill set that’s valued by employers. If yours isn’t… then what’s keeping you around?
4) The Workplace Is Toxic
Some workplaces are just downright unhealthy. They’re known for harboring bad people, enabling toxic behavior and creating a truly unsafe environment. If you work in one of these places, you have every right to walk away—safely. It can be difficult to quit in such an environment, but it is possible. The most important thing is that you take proper precautions before walking out that door for good. Make sure your resume is up-to-date and professionally written and that your references are solidified before making any moves. Be prepared to go on job interviews if you need to quickly find new employment—which, depending on where you work, may be necessary. And make sure all other aspects of your life (home life included) are in order so that when you do move on from where you’ve been working, things stay moving smoothly as ever. Most importantly: Keep yourself safe! Document all experiences with wrongdoings at your workplace, report them as needed and continue putting yourself first at all times. Do what’s best for YOU; there’s nothing shameful about quitting a bad situation once you’ve confirmed it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
5) The Money Isn’t Enough
Money is a powerful motivator, and it can be incredibly tempting to stick with your job because you’re getting paid well. However, if you feel like your work doesn’t challenge you or that your employer isn’t giving back to its employees, you may want to think about making a change. A job isn’t only about money—and if yours is no longer providing any real value for your life, it may be time to move on. Do some soul-searching and make sure that your decision to leave is driven by something more than just financial necessity.