“Find a job you like, and you add five days to every week.” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

No matter how optimistic you’re about your life and career, there’ll be times when you wonder, “should I quit my job?”.

Quitting a job is not an easy decision. But big decisions, like a career change, should be approached thoughtfully. While sometimes this can be done by reinventing your current work, there are times when the right choice is to strike out on a new path.

Here are 6 clues that it’s time to quit.

1- You’re constantly stressed

This is the clearest sign that things are not well with your current job. It’s one thing to be under pressure once in a while, which could be due to a short deadline or an angry customer or client.

Stress can creep up on you so gradually that you don’t even realize when and how it happened. Your job creates a constant state of back pain, sleep troubles, stress, and an upset stomach.

You can’t stop thinking about work, and you’re irritable. Things that never bothered you before now seem monumental. 

Think about those times when you’re not stressed in your job. If it takes you more than a few seconds to answer, it’s a sign that it’s time to consider quitting your job.

Check your energy levels on a scale of one to ten during the day. If it’s below five, your job puts you under undue stress. No one should sacrifice their physical and mental health for work.

2- You hate your boss and vice versa

This is the biggest red flag. Remember that your boss’s evaluation plays an important role in your promotions or increments. If they dislike you, it’s not just your present but also your future well-being that’s in question.

If you get a fair boss and invest in yourself, that’s an excellent sign that your job will have more good days than bad days. Even if they’re stern or demanding, if you sense that they are interested in your growth and overall wellbeing, you’ve got it better than most.

But sometimes, you get a boss who doesn’t care for you. They flood you with work and look for opportunities to blame you. They may revel in criticizing you in front of others.

3- Your workplace has become unhealthy

A hostile environment is toxic. Workspaces with colleagues who scream at or insult you, for example, or where you are worked to the point of physical collapse should inspire you to seek something new (if not pursue more serious action). 

Some workplaces are consistently harmful to your physical or emotional health. If you find yourself in that unenviable position, it’s time to move on and find a workplace culture that’s a better fit for you.

4- It’s causing you to develop bad habits 

Do you behave in ways you would have found unethical or inappropriate? Did you find yourself lying or misleading colleagues and clients? When something you look to for purpose begins pulling you further from it and your values, you need to let it go. Never let a professional environment change you for the worse.

5- There’s no room for advancement

Don’t spend too much time in a position that doesn’t offer growth opportunities. Committing your time and energy to a company that won’t support the progress of your career, or grow with you, will end up hindering the development of your career in the long run. 

Leaving a job is a big decision, so first, see if there are ways to craft their work or make changes within their current professional environment before moving on. Reinvigorating your work can be as simple as seeing it differently and modifying it in small ways, something often referred to as “job crafting.” But it might be time to move on if you’ve exhausted that path and can no longer grow in your profession.

6- You’re undervalued

Appreciation can come in many forms, but if you don’t feel like your supervisors or colleagues understand your value, you may be experiencing burnout and counterproductive self-sabotage that lowers the productivity of more than just yourself. 

Another important point to note is your paycheque. That’s your worth, according to your company, and it’s how much they value and respect you. If you’re underpaid, your current company doesn’t respect you enough.

First of all, you’re already behind your peers. Even if you do excellent work on several projects, any increase in your salary will only take you to the average. And that’s not where you want to be.

Secondly, the longer you work for lower pay, the harder it’ll be for you to correct it. Prospective employers may feel that you’re not talented enough. Even if they offer you a raise, it’ll still not be enough to compensate for the lost time.

Thirdly, you may find it challenging to move up even within the system, as your paycheque also indicates the potential the company sees in you. It’ll also be embarrassing when your subordinates or peers know how much the company pays you.

Before deciding to put in your papers, it’s always good to ask for a raise, that too, in writing. If the company doesn’t seem interested in it, maybe there’s another organization out there that can appreciate you for what you bring to the table.

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

📌Hostile: unfriendly; antagonistic.

📌Compliment: a polite expression of praise or admiration.

📌Regret: feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity).

📌Consider your position: think about leaving your job.

📌Reinvigorate: give new energy or strength to.

PHRASAL VERBS ✍

📌Give in: tell your employer that you are leaving your job, especially in a letter.

“Telma’s given in her notice, and she’s going to travel around the world.”

📌Stand down: to leave a job or position, especially an important one.

“Ms. Parker will be standing down as president at the end of the year.”

IDIOMS 📒

📌Sever ties: to end the relationship with a company.

📌A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: it’s better to hold onto something you have rather than take the risk of getting something better which may come to nothing.

Related Articles:

📌Phrases to quit your job https://www.englishpriority.com/phrases-to-quit-your-job-professionally/

📌It’s time to advance your career! https://www.englishpriority.com/looking-for-a-job-which-position-to-apply-to/

📌4 tips to boost your productivity https://www.englishpriority.com/4-tips-to-boost-your-productivity/

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