Should You Quit Your Job or Stay? Unlock Career Clarity
“I quit. That’s it. I don’t know anyone who’s happy here, and I’m quitting.”
Sound familiar?
Whether you’ve muttered a version of these words under your breath…as you flee into the hallway after a meeting with your boss.
OR
…shouted them into the void of your car on a Friday afternoon, you’re not alone.
Over 50% of working professionals are actively or passively looking for a new job, citing stress and exhaustion as the top motivators.
Frustration and disappointment can make your situation feel hopeless.
There are a lot of factors to consider — from financial considerations to your mental health and well-being.
Luckily for you, I have experience with people who have dealt with ALL of these factors. I’ve helped each of them go from confused and frustrated to confident with a clear direction.
By the end of this article, you'll have clarity on the burning question: "Should I quit my job?"
Let's dive in.
Reflect and Evaluate
Ah, the age-old question: Should I stay or should I go?
(Did you say that phrase…or did you sing it, like The Clash song. 😏)
Now, before you start belting it out and getting too distracted, let’s take a moment and self-reflect.
How do you know if it’s time to quit your job?
First, you need to identify the true root of the issue.
What’s the Real Problem?
First, a little reflection.
Think about your career three to five years from now. Is this role a step along the way or have you veered off course?
Now, take a step back and try looking at the situation from the outside.
Is this a temporary rough patch you have to trudge through, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel?
Maybe:
➡️ Someone’s on leave for a couple of months and you’re picking up the slack until they come back.
➡️ You’re in the middle of a short-term, albeit inconvenient, system or software change.
➡️ A big project’s deadline is approaching and you’re working to get everything done on time.
➡️ Your team or company went through a recent leadership change and the dust is settling
Or is it something more permanent?
➡️ It’s the umpteenth time your company has restructured, changed leadership, reorganized a department, or shifted company priorities.
➡️ You’ve hit your head on the ceiling for advancement and growth.
➡️ The environment is toxic and ripe with harassment, micromanagement, and bullying.
Remember: If you witness or experience inappropriate behavior, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone in HR. They’re there to help.
(Maybe) It’s Not the Job, It’s Me
Now, for some tough love.
Maybe it’s not the job that’s making you unhappy. Not completely anyway.
Take a good, hard, and REALISTIC look at your job situation and the role you play in it — the good, bad, and in between.
I remember so many times I blamed…
🏢My boss
🏢The environment
🏢The work
🏢And pretty much anything else I could find — for my momentary misery.
This mentality left me drained, unempowered, frustrated, angry, and overall, feeling helpless.
And it’s no wonder why.
Our brains are hardwired to continue feeding us evidence to support our assumptions, especially when those assumptions are negative.
In other words, by focusing on the negative, you perceive more negativity.
And if I’d done some introspection and taken more accountability, I could’ve saved time and put my efforts in the right place.
Managing your mindset before leaving your job is essential to ensuring you’re making the right decision, for the right reason.
And getting to a positive place in your current job is even better.
Diving into a new job without doing so can land you in the exact circumstances that led you to leave your old job in the first place.
Since no one enjoys a fruitless hampster wheel to nowhere, make sure you aren’t playing the blame game, by asking yourself:
Sometimes we’re quick to point the finger at outside factors, forgetting that we play a part too.
And the good news is, when it comes to job dissatisfaction, quitting isn’t the only option you have.
Check out how a client of mine pulled herself back from the brink of quitting and — plot twist! — decided to stick around instead.
“A coaching client of mine was very unhappy with her job and leaning toward quitting. After going through self-reflection exercises, she decided to work on her overall happiness level before making a final decision.
It required a lot of self-awareness and after she did the work, and got to a better place mentally, she decided to stay with the company…but as an independent contractor, instead.”
Of course, sometimes, it is the job.
Whether you’ve gotten everything out of the job that you can or it’s just flat out NOT serving you to be in it anymore.
These reasons are completely valid.
Each situation is unique and plenty of my clients have decided to leave their jobs in pursuit of something new.
One way I help them decide if they should quit their jobs or stay is to take them through an exercise considering 4 key factors.
Making the Decision: 4 Factors to Consider
To stay or not to stay. That’s the question.
And it’s a big one with different factors to consider.
In fact, from my experience, I’ve seen my clients wrestle with these 4 main factors when considering a job change.
1. Job Satisfaction and Workplace Environment
Think about times during the day or week when you have more energy and fulfillment at your job.
How about those moments when you’ve become drained and dissatisfied — maybe you love spending hours with spreadsheets, maybe you don’t.
Is the company culture one you can thrive in? Or is there something holding you back?
Whatever it is, consider if your job, company, and leadership align with your longer-term career goals.
Want to assess more reflections like this? Book a free call with me and let’s chat through it.
2. Career Growth
Next, take a look at the opportunities for advancement and professional growth.
If there’s someone around or above you whose job you’d love to grow into, consider reaching out to them to learn more about their career journey.
☕Hint: Asking them to chat with you over a casual coffee is a great, low-stress icebreaker.
On the contrary, if you’re feeling stuck and boxed in where you are, talk to your manager or leader about upcoming projects or opportunities you’d like to be involved in.
Even if you eventually decide it’s time to move on from this job, you’ll have picked up new experiences and valuable skills.
3. Work-Life Balance
When it comes to your overall well-being and quality of life — think stress levels, time with friends and family, even your sleep quality — what part does your job play?
If there’s a healthy equilibrium between your work and non-work life, great!
But if your job responsibilities are seeping into your everyday life, nights, and weekends, though, it may be time for a rebalance.
💡Pro Tip:
Talk with a qualified career coach.
4. Financial Stability
Last but certainly not least, take into account if and how leaving your job will impact your finances.
Don’t forget[1] to consider both sides of the coin:
💲Are you prepared for a change or loss of benefits like healthcare?
💲Would another job offer benefits that better fit your needs?
💲How will leaving stock options on the table or forfeiting bonuses or commissions affect your finances?
💲Is there a more strategic time for you to leave and still take some stock or bonuses with you?
💲And does another company offer a more appealing stock or bonus structure? If not, could you negotiate that into your next job offer?
Take stock — pun intended — of your financial situation and make sure you can support yourself through a transitional period.
Whether it’s looking for a new job or taking a bit of a hiatus to figure out your next step, it’s important to factor your finances into the equation.
Weigh It Out
So, should you quit your job? At the end of the day, it’s about what’s best for you.
When it comes to making tough decisions, there are always positives and negatives.
And the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. But sometimes a job change can offer a fresh start with new challenges and growth opportunities.
Take some time to think about the disadvantages and advantages of leaving your job vs. sticking it out. And remember to consider your long-term career goals and whether or not this step helps you fulfill them. goals.
Remember, no one knows your experience quite like you do.
So trust your instincts!
💡Pro Tip:
Do a gap analysis.
Essentially, this is a spin on the classic Pros/Cons list, but I go a step further.
It’s something I guide my clients through when they’re considering their next career move, like quitting their job or accepting one (of many) job offers.
1️⃣ Take out a piece of paper
2️⃣ Write your criteria on one side — all your “Must Haves” for a job. (Pssst…for more guidance on this, check out the Find Your Dream Job in 5 Easy Steps: The Ultimate Guide blog)
3️⃣ Now flip it and jot down what your current job offers you
How do the two sides compare? Are there gaps?
Not only does it force you to assess each aspect of your current situation and measure it against your longer-term career goals, but you get a visual comparison when you’re done.
Win/Win.
Seek Guidance and Support
Every career has its challenges.
Ultimately, the decision to stay or leave your job is entirely yours. But it’s always a good idea to get the perspectives of a few trusted confidants.
Sure, talking it over with your furry friends at home is a great way to get some emotional support, but consider also reaching out to:
▪️ Trusted mentors,
▪️ Colleagues,
▪️ And a career coach
As a certified coach, career transition expert, and job strategist, I know your life, challenges, and goals are unique.
And that’s why my method is tailored to you.
Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, I…
✨Provide specialized, one-on-one coaching
✨Take you through powerful exercises to clarify the career path you desire
✨Design a targeted resume and LinkedIn profile to match
✨And create a customized action plan specifically for you
By linking up with me, you’ll gain clarity on your career aspirations, and have a tailored plan to get there.
Click here to book a FREE 30-minute call with me today and let’s start you on the path to the career and life you’ve been searching for.
