Why I Quit My Job!

Photo Credit: Lindsay B. Garvin

Some years back, I was working in a job that paid well, and I excelled but was not fulfilled. In fact, it wasn’t the original position I signed up for. I ended up in this job through a bank reorganization. In the spirit of take-one-for-the-team, I made the best of the situation and maintained a good attitude. I even learned a lot in the process.

However, there were no opportunities for advancement, only promises that never materialized. Further, the work environment was toxic at times and dignity and respect were often elusive. After looking for opportunities for about a year, I was approached with a good one, and I quit!

I talk to so many people who are simply unfulfilled in their jobs. 85% of Americans are in jobs they hate, and Monday is one of the most popular days for heart attacks because people face anxiety just thinking about going to work!

Common reasons for people hating their jobs are: lack of opportunity, not enough money, feeling unappreciated, underutilized, toxic work environments and the list goes on. My main reason for quitting was simply that I wanted to do something that I was passionate about. The next job I took was OK initially but was not fulfilling, and I eventually moved on. I am thankful that I currently do work that is fulfilling and I can leverage my passion, leadership and other strengths daily. Getting to this point has not been easy, but worth it!

When you think about how short life is, it is important that we don’t stay in jobs that are unhealthy or out of sync with our passion and purpose. I am not naive or Pollyanna and realize that sometimes you must stay somewhere to pay the bills, etc. But at some point, you need to come up with a game plan for transition. Whether it’s to further your education, network or look for opportunities, life is too short to be miserable! Moving on to the next opportunity can be scary, but you must go for it! Checkout my article: Go for It!

5 Things To Consider Before You Quit Your Job

1. Know What You Want-If you aim for nothing you will hit the bullseye every time! It is important to evaluate what is important to you in a job or career and seek to prepare for opportunities that have what you are looking for.  Also, get a sense of what you are passionate about and what careers or opportunities line up with that passion.
2. Evaluate Strengths & Weakness-Although passion is important, it is not enough to get the job done. It is critical to take a realistic inventory of your strengths and weaknesses to empower you to figure out what training, education or etc. is needed to prepare you for your next opportunity. Checkout When Opportunity Knocks where I discuss being prepared for your opportunity.
3. Know Your Value-Working in many work environments can tarnish your self-esteem and value. You need to discover and understand your value apart from your job. Oftentimes when you are underutilized or underappreciated your value drop can be precipitous. Know that your value is your value. Checkout  Understanding Your Value and Where It Fits
4. Build & Leverage Your Network-Most jobs are landed through connections. Almost all my jobs were acquired this way. It is  important to find mentors who are where you want to be and can guide and sponsor you. Sometimes you must get out of your comfort zone to connect with people who don’t look like you or think like you. You must learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable to find something different that is just right for you. Get out there and network!
5.  Don’t Rule out Entrepreneurialism -You could be looking for a job that does not exist. Sometimes we must create what we want. There are plenty of programs to help, as many colleges have Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) that can provide training and guidance often for free. The key thing with starting any business is having a plan and making sure that your business solves a problem. Adding value is key! Here are a few resources: SBA, Starting a Business

Starting today…take an honest look at your job. If you hate getting up in the morning to go to work, you may need to do some serious introspection and evaluation to determine if you need to prepare to send in your letter of resignation!

When you quit your job…make sure that you are well prepared to pursue your passion and purpose!

Remember, Greatness Awaits You!

Carlos T. Carter
Founder & Chief Motivator
www.seeds2fruitmotivation.com

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