Should You Quit Your Job? (And What to Do if That's Not an Option)
A Practical Guide to Finding Career Alignment, Not Just a New Gig
The alarm goes off and a wave of dread washes over you. It's not Monday blues; it's a feeling you carry every single workday.
You feel trapped, unmotivated, and burnt out.
The same question pops up like the day before...
Should I quit?
You're not alone. I've wrestled with this question more times than I'd like to admit. What I've discovered is that quitting isn't the only solution. In fact, it might not even be the best one.
When we're stressed and uncomfortable, our brains crave immediate relief. It's tempting to think that a new job will magically solve all our problems.
The truth is, many times it won’t.
So, what should you do?
This post is your practical guide to finding alignment, not just a new paycheck source. My goal is to help you gain clarity, explore your options, understand your values, and make empowered choices – whether that means transforming your current job or finding a new one.
The Burnout Trap: Why Quitting May Not Be the Answer
I get it...fantasizing about handing in your resignation letter and riding off into the sunset of your new life may feel good right now. It's a mental escape route from all the stress and frustration you're probably feeling.
While I can relate, my experience tells me that the stress, frustration and burnout will more than likely follow you to the next job if the root causes of your stress and frustration aren't addressed.
So, before you update your resume and start sending it out, take a step back and ask yourself:
What's really causing my burnout?
Is it the workload, the company culture, a lack of support, or a conflict with your personal values?
Am I underutilized, bored or overwhelmed?
Once you identify the root causes, you can start to explore solutions.
Reconnect with Your Values: Your Internal Compass
Your values are your guiding principles, the things that matter most to you in life. When your work aligns with your values, it feels meaningful and fulfilling. When it doesn't, it can feel like a constant battle.
Research shows that people who live in alignment with their values experience higher levels of well-being, satisfaction, and motivation. They're also more resilient in the face of challenges.
Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you.
What are your non-negotiables?
What kind of impact do you want to make?
What kind of work environment do you thrive in?
Understanding your values is empowering. It gives you a compass to guide your decisions and helps you prioritize what's truly important. Here is a worksheet to help you dig deeper into exploring your values.
Practical Steps to Find Alignment (or a New Path)
Now that you understand the importance of values and have identified the root causes of your burnout, it's time to take action.
Here are 3 practical steps you can take:
Reframe Your Perspective of Your Job: Share your needs and aspirations with your manager and see if there are opportunities for growth or new responsibilities that will better align with your values or goals.
Can you adjust your workload, take on different responsibilities, or get more support?
How does your role, even in a small way, contribute to something you care about?
Instead of focusing on what you dislike about your job, look for ways to connect your work to your broader purpose.
Creating & Enforce Boundaries: Learn to say no to things that don't align with your values or priorities.Protect your time and energy.
Explore Other Options: If you've tried to make changes and still feel misaligned, it may be time to explore other options.
Talk to people in your network,
Update your resume, and
Start researching companies and industries that have opportunities that better align with your values and goals.
Empowerment, Not Escapism
The decision to quit your job is a personal one, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
So, should you quit your job? Maybe.
But before you make that leap, take the time to understand the root causes of your stress and frustration, reconnect with your values and explore opportunities for greater alignment.
You might be surprised at what you discover. You have the power to create a career that feels meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with who you are.
I'm rooting for you!