Wasn’t even thinking of quitting…
I just got a GREAT email from JMatt, a reader who, in the process of writing to me, solved his own problem. In effect, as he was telling me about his situation, the truth popped out right in front of his eyes. He wasn’t even thinking of quitting … but there it was!
Here is part of what he wrote me:
“I work constantly. I mean every single day of the year I am on call. Even when I’m on vacation I need to keep my phone with me in case of emergency. I am consumed almost every waking moment with work related issues and it is driving me nuts. My personal life feels like it’s a shambles, and my health is deteriorating..
Wow. In typing this I think I just came to the conclusion that I must quit and find a new job. It is obvious.”
Make time to tune into yourself
I love this! Whether you are a boss like JMatt or an employee like most of the rest of us, so often what we actually need is to be able to really hear ourselves. Especially if you’re thinking of quitting.
Deep inside, most of you know what you truly want. But sometimes, we spend day after day convincing ourselves that, even though we’re miserable, there are plenty of good reasons to stay miserable. And so we just grin and bear it.
I don’t buy that.
That doesn’t mean every single one of you should rush right out and quit your jobs. I couldn’t handle the guilt of what this would do to the economy! 🙂 Plus, there are sometimes very real things you can try to help make work life better for yourself.
⇒ Finding workplace solutions right where you are
Choices when thinking of quitting
You have two basic choices if you’re thinking of quitting:
- Work on changing your current job conditions and / or the way you handle things.
- Go get a new job.
Well, there’s always a third way: quit anyway, even without a job. (Not always possible or the best financial / career choice. But, then again, even if you’ve done this before, moving forward is still possible.
Whatever your situation, suffering year in and year out — feeling trapped and helpless, –isn’t good for you or your employer. (Although it might make your health providers rich.) Often it seems like there’s no good answer, and that just leaves you stuck. Something needs to change, even if jut inside for now.
So … following in JMatt’s footsteps … if you’re miserable in YOUR job, you might start by simply writing yourself a letter. Don’t stop to think or edit. Just keep writing. Let it all pour out. And don’t force yourself to get it all figured out in one day. For the majority of us, it takes time.
Keep writing yourself letters for the next few weeks. Or as long as needed. And see what pops out. By the time you’re done, you may see your best next move more clearly. And you may finally feel ready to try. I hope so.
Good luck!
[Post updated in 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.
More posts to help
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
What To Do If Your Job Makes You Miserable
My Job Sucks and Now I’m Stuck!
Career Goals: Put Small Steps to Work on Big Goals!
The Non-Linear Path to Happiness at Work
What Makes a Job Good?
Dreaming of a New Job Where the Grass Is Greener?
7 Reasons We Stay In Bad Jobs
10 Two-Letter Words To Motivate Yourself
How to Answer Why You Left Last Job When You Quit
How To Change Your Job Without Quitting
My Job Is So Boring. Should I Quit?
⇒ EXTRA: Want To Career Coach Yourself? How To Get You Started
And if you do need to quit your job
⇒ How To Quit a Job (Without Hurting Yourself)
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