Let me share my top tips for deciding to leave. Whether this is your job or some other organization you are part of. I’m sure we’ve all had to leave something at some stage. Leaving comes easier for some than others. I’m not a great quitter myself. I tend to stick it out through the tough times but eventually, there is a point when leaving is the right option.
I’ve found myself in several situations when leaving was the only real option left on the table. I’m getting better at seeing the warning signs early before you get seriously unhappy.
I’ve been involved in a few startup companies over the years. The first company I was involved with, I ended up becoming the ‘go-to’ guy for everything. I was getting worn down and the company was going through a rough patch with new leadership. Eventually, I ended up leaving. I suffered mild burnout after this and it took years to recover. Subsequently, I was also a co-founder of a company working on some deep tech which didn’t go to plan. I ended up having to leavethat dream too.
My wife was involved in another startup company, which was going through a fresh round of struggles under new leadership. She would frequently come home from work very upset. After some coaxing, she ended up leaving too.
I’m now in a place where I’ve decided to leave, not a workplace this time, but an organization I’ve been involved with for the last 25 years.
Here are my top tips for deciding it is time to leave:
1. Your tank is empty, and more is required of you
You’ve been giving it heaps for years, and then some change happens that requires everyone to step up their game further. You know your tank is empty, you are not up for the challenge, and you don’t have what is going to be required of you.
It’s time to leave.
2. You’ve lost your passion
Once upon a time, you were passionate about the organization. Putting in extra effort wasn’t a problem. Now you feel the opposite and you really don’t care what happens to the place.
It’s time to leave.
3. You are sending bad vibes to the people around you
Your negativity about the organization is flowing over to the way you speak to workmates and affecting the mission of the organization — you are oozing negativity. The last thing you want to do is undermine what others are trying to achieve.
It’s time to leave.
4. Your family are becoming affected
A problem shared is a problem halved so they say. Sometimes a problem shared is a problem doubled. If debriefing with your significant other is causing significant stress for them and affecting your relationship, then something has to give.
It’s time to leave.
5. You can’t stand the people
You spend more time with your workmates than you do with your family. Sometimes people at work can be difficult. If the toxicity of people around is rubbing off on you.
It’s time to leave.
Deciding to leave can be difficult. Here are some of the reasons people put off leaving:
- Being deeply embedded and feel a sense of duty to stay. Knowing the organization will find it hard without you. Don’t worry — it might be hard for them, but they will survive.
- Having a sense of loyalty to the place and you are not sure if leaving is the right thing. If you are seriously unhappy it is better for you to “watch from a distance” than to stay embedded in the place.
- Being worried about what your future holds for you next if you leave. Opportunities are like buses. There is always another one coming.
Look for the warning signs early and make sure you can leave with dignity before things turn too pear-shaped. Life is too short to do things you hate. The act of leaving is a small moment in time. It can be a scary moment, but it is also a MASSIVE moment of relief. If you know deep down that you are unhappy and things around you are not going to change any time soon, bite the bullet, and cause the change yourself.
It’s time to leave.