Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Have you recently found yourself at a crossroads in your career and are wondering if it's time to look for a new job? Many of my clients find themselves in a similar position. 

Depending on your situation, there might be a few reasons why you feel like quitting. Perhaps you are feeling unhappy or unfulfilled at work? Or maybe you’re not motivated enough in your current role and would like to make a bigger impact? Or maybe you just feel like your work deserves to be better compensated financially? 

Whatever the case may be, know that you’re not alone. In fact, feeling unhappy, frustrated, and unfulfilled at work is so common that staff management software provider, RotaCloud, recently came up with a name for it; resenteeism. 

Now, with resenteeism, employees are highly unhappy, but they’re still going to work every day. And that’s because they struggle to make a decision as to whether they should stay or go. 

After all, quitting your job can be a tough decision to make, as it involves balancing the risks of leaving a secure job against the potential benefits of a new role. That’s why it’s crucial that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making any decision.

The first thing to do is to take a step back and look at the situation objectively. In this article, I review the wrong reasons to quit your job before sharing some of the right reasons to do so to (hopefully) help you make the right decision.

Let’s dive in!

DON'T quit your job because...

...your manager sucks!

Let’s be honest. There are many managers out there that don’t have the proper skills to manage people efficiently. And so they shouldn’t be managers in the first place. In fact, it is so common that according to a recent study published by Gallup, a staggering 50% of employees quit their job because of their boss!

Maybe that’s your case. You feel extremely frustrated with your manager and are ready to throw in the towel and call it quits any minute. But quitting your job because your manager sucks is like giving up the gym because you’re not seeing the results. You might not be doing the appropriate exercises for what you’re targeting, or you might not be doing them in an optimal way, but it doesn’t mean you have to call it quits. Perhaps all you need is a little bit of guidance and a different approach.

Instead of resigning, strive first to find compassion and empathy for your boss and try to clearly understand their goals and priorities. Don’t be scared to ask them clearly what they need from you. You should strive to build your relationship by creating a solid partnership and starting more personal conversations. Another thing that can help create a bond and improve your relationship with your boss is asking for guidance to show you value their judgment. 

Lastly, don’t forget to connect and build strong relationships with other leaders in the organization. Not only can this help you find a new role later down the track, but it can also help strengthen your credibility within your own team and with your boss. 

...you didn't get that awaited promotion.

You are disappointed. I get it. 

You did everything, yet you still didn’t get this long-awaited promotion you believe you deserve. In these moments, it’s only natural to feel frustrated and consider quitting. But leaving your career behind due to frustration can backfire. Leaving your job as a form of protest might be perceived as impulsive and perhaps even childish by your current and prospective employers. 

So, instead of quitting, try to get to the bottom of things and understand why you didn’t get the promotion. Have a transparent conversation with your manager and ask them for a plan of action, including a detailed development plan, so that you can reach your goals.

...you are drained and exhausted.

Going to work feels like being stuck on a hamster wheel. No matter what you do, you always end up feeling drained at the end of the day. That can’t be right! So, even if you really like your job, your colleagues and your company, you probably need to find a job where you don’t feel constantly exhausted and depleted!

Well, not so fast.

I’ve got a question for you; do you take care of yourself? Do you have a routine that allows you to replenish your energy tank? If you're feeling run-down and drained from your job, it's time to stop and refuel! 

You see, if you quit and apply for another job, chances are the same thing will happen there. 

If you’re not prioritizing yourself and you’re not taking the daily necessary steps to replenish your energy levels and perform in a sustainable way. Finding the right balance of activities and lifestyle changes can help get you back on track straight away and stay energized throughout the day, every day. In fact, know how to fuel for success is the best way to ensure that you can keep up with the demands of a busy work and life.

The key takeaway is that self-care is key when it comes to fueling your body and mind, and all you might need is an energizing routine and a few lifestyle changes to replenish your energy levels and help you kick goals.

...you want more money.

You like your job, colleagues, and boss, but you want to make more money.

Sure, money is important. After all, we all need to pay the bills! And it’s also often a way for many of us to measure success. Yet, as cliché as it might sound, it’s not the only thing that matters. There are many other important factors to consider when deciding to quit a job, such as job satisfaction, career growth, work-life balance, and the company culture. Quitting a job solely to make more money can be shortsighted and lead to regret in the long run. 

Let’s take a look at some quick stats so you can better grasp the importance of company culture, work-life balance, and personal growth opportunities:

• Thirty million US employees define their workplace as toxic.
• 59% of employees never had training in their company and had to learn their skills themselves.
• 77% of employees have experienced burnout at their current workplace.

As you can see, working for a company that has implemented a fantastic company culture encourages personal and professional development, and work/life balance isn’t that common. 

So, if your current company checks all these boxes, make sure to thoroughly consider your decision to quit as a bigger paycheck doesn’t always equal job satisfaction and happiness ;)

Quit your job because...

...there are no growth opportunities anymore.

You’ve talked to your manager about being bored, wanting to take on more responsibility, and being more challenged at work. They made some changes but it's not enough. You are stagnating and there are simply no growth opportunities anymore. That’s a prime example of quitting your job for the right reason.

That’s because learning new skills, developing existing ones, and growing professionally through your work experiences is critical in helping you thrive as an individual. As you take on more responsibility and challenges, you’ll be confronted with new situations that will help you evolve, grow and become a better version of yourself. 

Additionally, staying in a job with no growth opportunities can make you feel like you’re stagnating in your career and your life and lead to anxiety, stress, and even depression.

...the work environment is toxic.

Working in a toxic work environment triples your risk of depression. Need I say more?

A toxic work environment is usually defined by negative behaviors such as manipulation, discrimination, bullying, etc., and can have negative effects on your physical and mental health, as well as your overall well-being. 

It can also make it difficult to focus on your work and be productive, affecting your self-confidence and hindering your career growth.

What’s more, a toxic workplace can make it difficult to build positive relationships with your colleagues, prevent you from achieving a work-life balance, and quash your aspirations and motivation. 

So, the best course of action in that scenario is to quit to protect your well-being and ensure you get the opportunity to thrive in a different company.

...you have to hide or suppress your true self.

Do you feel like you can’t be yourself at work? Are you afraid your colleagues or boss will judge you if you show them who you really are?

Working for a company that aligns with your values and who you really are is essential to your well-being and professional development. If you feel like you have to suppress yourself the minute you enter the workplace, you might have to reconsider your options. 

Suppressing your true self can negatively impact your mental and emotional well-being, making you feel isolated and leading to low self-esteem and depression. 

It can prevent you from forming genuine connections. After all, it can be hard for others to understand you and connect with you if you are pretending to be someone else and lack authenticity.

Lastly, hiding your true self can make you feel disconnected from yourself, your work, your company, and your life. And this, in turn, can lead to depression and other health issues.

...you’re not contributing to the greater good.

You’re good at your job, but you don’t feel like you’re making an impact. Or at least, you feel like you could make a bigger impact if you were pursuing a different field or path. 

Now, I’m not simply talking about having a job that aligns with your passions or interests here. While doing something you absolutely love is important, feeling like you’re making a difference when doing so is even more crucial. 

Leveraging your strengths to add value in others’ lives and make a real difference will be 1000% more fulfilling and satisfying than being in a job you love but you don’t find meaningful. 

So, if it's not about following your passions or interests, what should should be the focus? 

The answer is; do something that can be valuable to others. 

Analyze your strengths and identify areas where your strengths and skills are needed. Find a path where your abilities can genuinely contribute to the greater good and help make the world a better place. As cliché as it may sound, but it will make your work all the more captivating, rewarding and fulfilling which will lead to better job satisfaction and increase your well-being and happiness! 

***

The grass is not always greener on the other side

It can be tempting to throw in the towel as soon as something doesn’t go according to plan at work or if things become a little bit too challenging. Yet, always remember that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. In fact, I’d argue that it’s only greener where you water it. When considering quitting, ask yourself whether you want to quit because you’re looking for long-term gains or simply because of short-term frustrations.

And if you want to quit for the right reasons, I have one final thing to say: Don’t settle. Chase your dreams. Leave your mark.

As Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” 

And if you need a little support to make your decision, I am only one DM away:-)