When Is It Time to Quit Your Job?

Summary: Taking yourself away from a job where you are unhappy, or going towards something better – a tough decision or not, is always the right decision. Knowing what you really want and doing what it takes to get it, is how you become a person that can bring your aspirations to reality and truly be a star leader with a powerful internal presence.

There is a chance that you won’t always arrive where you intended. You will, however, eventually arrive at your destination as long as you consistently move forward. To accomplish that, you must envision your steps with clarity, take the necessary actions, and become a pillar of strength. Believe in the power of a fresh start!Â

Leaders tend to stick to their jobs whether they like it or not. This is silly because staying at a job where one is unhappy means you will not be productive in alignment with your potential. However, there is a social stigma around leaving and also leaders are often simply afraid to rock the boat and get uncomfortable before they can try something new,Â

This did not apply to Paul English, who felt dissatisfied with his desk job at a venture capital firm and decided to open Kayak, a unique website for travel which instead of letting customers book planes, hotels, etc., focused on comparing different prices of different options and getting money through referring customers to the option of their choice. English got 1.8 billion USD from Priceline for selling Kayak. Leaving the predictability and familiarity of a job to start Kayak could not have been easy, but he still maintains that the company should retain the feel of a start-up so that it keeps experimenting.

It is the myths about quitting that keep so many people stuck in jobs that they hate, giving their toxic workplaces power over them. So here are 3 myths that you might want to consider when you are reevaluating your options?

Quitting doesnât equal failure

It is much more heroic to know what you want and enter your workplace with a clear vision of what you are going to achieve than being stuck in a place which constantly threatens your peace of mind. Sticking to a job when you are not engaged or able to perform is essentially wasting your time and effort. Quit, the moment you realize your mistake in starting something that clearly wasnât meant for you. Look for something that makes your heart soar, and you will definitely find success doing that something.

Quitting doesnât mean being irresponsible

By leaving a job which you know you should, youâd be showing immense courage, and taking a huge, but worthwhile risk. When you know what you want and can project it properly, people can see that you are headed towards a definite direction, building credibility and willing to put themselves to work to get to higher goals and break norms3. You start as a credible leader when you are willing to set yourself on the goal meant for you and become a reliable source of energy for the same.

Quitting is not risking your career

It is a risk for sure, but itâs still not greater than the risk youâd be taking by staying in a job that doesnât promise you more. The longer you stay there, the more difficult it will get for you to get out; itâs easy to lose motivation, to lose sight of what really matters to you, to lose the confidence to do the right thing. When you accept that âthis is how it isâ you donât do anything to change the status quo and remain complacent without any real growth.

Impact on Leadership

The common aspect of leaders who lead high performing teams and produce truly valuable work is that they are personally invested in a larger vision

4. Neither you nor your bosses can perceive such a âgetting byâ attitude as something to be rewarded and encouraged. On the other hand, this same thing can be a positive loop where you know what you want to do and you search for that right goal that really pulls you. You will imagine pathways to that success, bring them to fruition and get more resources and people to follow your credible stead.

Star Mindset

Leave anytime a better opportunity arises or your current position is simply ruining your life and making you miserable. Nevertheless, don’t be frightened to make a decision; whether it’s to remain in or quit your current position, keep in mind that you are the only person who matters. Choose what’s best for you, and if you’re unsure, take a moment to “listen” to what drives you and what a meaningful existence looks like for you.

3 Immediately Applicable Action Steps

Make a flowchart of where you are, where you want to be and how you envision the path.Â
Put a reminder of what you are really passionate about or even a written message on your wall.
At the end of every month, take 15 minutes to talk to yourself about how you progressed towards the goal you have envisioned.

References

Johnston, K., & Farell, M. (2012, November 8). Priceline makes a $1.8 billion deal for Kayak – The Boston Globe. BostonGlobe.com. https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/11/08/priceline-buys-kayak-for-billion/M5v0bXgRuLo3qCaOalRngL/story.html
Bakker, A. B., & Bal, M. P. (2010). Weekly work engagement and performance: A study among starting teachers. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 83(1), 189â206. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317909×402596
Martin, M. M. (1999). Trust Leadership. Journal of Leadership Studies, 5(3), 41â49. https://doi.org/10.1177/107179199900500304
Webber, S. S., & Webber, D. S. (2015). Launching and leading intense teams. Business Horizons, 58(4), 449â457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2015.03.009

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