Quit or Stay: Unmistakable Signs It’s Time to Walk Away From Your Job

Three's the charm!

Part 1 was about the stay-or-go dilemma; you can read it here.

Part 2 was about the value of assessing your current job comprehensively and what to consider when you do. Read it here. 

3 SIGNS IT'S TIME TO GO

Let's say that after you've looked thoroughly at your current role (Part 2), you uncovered some (I hope not all) of these: 

1. Your Well-Being Is Suffering

Your career should challenge you, but it shouldn’t diminish you. If you realize that your role is hurting your health or mental stability, that’s a serious signal.

Not sure? You could be like several of my clients who adapted to chronic stress in ways that make them downplay just how much it’s affecting them. Or perhaps you need to develop resilience skills. Either way, talk to someone.

 2. No More Juice in the Orange

The tiredness you feel at the end of the day isn't because you expended positive energy but because you're drained by using three-quarters of your day doing damage control for other people's work or behavior.

3. You’re Staying Out of Fear, Not Choice

You are staying put because change feels scary and overwhelming.

If you know or suspect that fear is holding you back, an expert thought partner can help you work through the unknowns and support you in managing uncertainty, which can be life-changing!

4 MORE SIGNS It's Time to Leave your Job

1. Your boss is consistently unsupportive at best and toxic at worst. For example, they routinely demonstrate most or all of the following: micromanaging, being hypercritical, blaming, not having your back or advocating for the team (if there is one), not acknowledging progress or work well done, and/or consistently being uninterested in your development.

2. You're kept up at night because leadership makes decisions or asks you to take actions so far from your values that your integrity is at stake.

3. You are most valued for skills that deplete you and have little interest in using.

4. The people in a position to help you make an internal change won't consider you for anything other than what you're doing now.

TIME TO WALK!

But wait, there's more...

Perhaps your job is just okay - you're not fulfilled, but the signs aren't strong enough to lead to quitting. Not everyone can quit for a variety of reasons. There may even be some compelling benefits to staying.

If that's you, you'll want to read about Job Shaping in the next newsletter, because sometimes, the best opportunities are hiding right where you are...

 I love my work, and I want that for you, too!

Judy Garfinkel helps you clarify "what's next." Her expertise in building confidence and resilience supports personal development and the ability to navigate career and work transitions – especially now! She is a certified Trauma-Informed Coach. Judy also crafts bespoke resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and bios that open doors for her clients and land jobs. Judy is a Past President of the International Coaching Federation - Connecticut Chapter, where she led 250+ member coaches. You can reach her at judy@moveintochange.com.