We live in a world where being known as a quitter is nothing to be proud of. Tenure is often rewarded with envy and valued as part of an accomplished lifestyle. Staying the course is often held up as a symbol of success and as exhausting as it may be, it’s always perceived more favorably to be grinding for what you want rather than intentionally guarding your time and resources.
Quitters never win and winners never quit, right?
No doubt you have come across the quote designed to keep you motivated and reaching for your career goals – quitters never win, and winners never quit. It’s an important message and it is designed to remind you; hard work does pay off. Over 800 million dollars were spent on self-help books last year, many of which taught tips, tricks, and tactics for digging deep and never giving up. While it’s very important to stick with things and see them through, the message to never quit need not be everyone’s. While you do need to develop the skills to stick with things, you also need to recognize when enough is enough. That’s because you may have a tendency to quit too easily, or you may hang on too long. The goldilocks phenomenon!
Do you quit too soon?
It’s true. Some people lack the drive, tenacity, and resilience to stick with things. If you have quit your job too soon, you are all too familiar with the rationale of why it’s time to seek pastures new.
- Lack of career progression at my pace
- They’re asking too much for what they pay me
- Change is impossible here, they’re so stuck in their ways
- X doesn’t respect me so they’ll never promote me
Often the rationale is related to the following experiences.
- Low threshold for frustration or discomfort
- Fear of Success
- Overwhelm
- Perfectionism
None of which are really valid reasons to quit. They merely indicate a level of immaturity and the need for you to learn how to push through difficulties for a bigger purpose. When quitting too soon is part of your problem, it is likely quitters won’t win in the long run. Because as another well-used phrase says, “You have to be in it, to win it.”
Do you hold on too long?
If you are not someone who quits too soon, it’s possible you are someone who holds on too long. I have rarely heard someone reflect they quit their job at the right time. Rather, I have often heard someone lament they left a job too soon or held on too long. If you are someone who values loyalty, it is likely you may fail to quit at a good time and you may then end up suffering needlessly. I have often heard people talk themselves out of quitting and therefore staying in an unhealthy work situation that isn’t in their best interests. You might do this by convincing yourself, ‘it’s better the devil you know than the one you don’t.’ This thinking often stops you from leaving sub-optimal situations, e.g. toxic work environments, and demoralising work relationships, and saying yes, when your plate is full.
When quitting is the better choice
Yes, there are times when quitting your job is the better choice. When hanging on too long goes from being resilient and tenacious to dangerous or foolish. Some of the reasons you may not quit include:
- Admission of failure
- Perfectionism
- Fear of lost investment of time
- Guilt and/or shame
- Ego
These can be just as big a problem as the reasons people quit too soon. When it comes to quitting, it’s important to understand when it’s a good idea to quit and when it’s time to dig deeper.
How can quitting improve your career?
One of the most difficult decisions working adults face is knowing when to quit their job for another one. Quitting your job is a much bigger decision than just changing jobs. It has often got a lot of emotion tied to it which can often prevent you from making that move or holding on too long. In the end, your failure to make changes can result in a stagnant career with very little opportunity.
There was a time when people joined companies and stayed with them until retirement. My dad had one of those jobs until he was asked to leave when he was 50. When he joined his first employer, it was a time when both the employee and company invested in each other. The company invested in its employees with good career opportunities, benefits, and desirable retirement packages. Over the past 30 years, there has been a shift in the employer-employee relationship. Nowadays it is less relational and more of a business transaction. Loyalty is rarely valued over and above skillsets and opportunities. It is becoming less and less common to spend fifteen to twenty, or more, years with one organization.
When should you consider a career move?
If you are trying to manage your career you may be wondering whether or not to change employment from time to time. Is it beneficial for you to quit one position to improve your career? It might be! Sometimes quitting can improve your career trajectory prospects. Here are some important things to consider.
1. Is your current position developing your skills?
If your current employment isn’t expanding your skillset and increasing your marketability, it may be time to consider a change. Ideally, your skills are consistently growing; preparing you for your next opportunity while improving how you do your current role. Skillsets should be continually evolving and consolidating no matter where you are in your career lifecycle. If you are in a situation where you can’t or aren’t growing and it’s not your choice, then it may be time to quit your current job. Before you do, consider whether there is a future in your line of work for yourself, and work out if you need to acquire new skills before you make a move.
2. Is your current work culture healthy?
If you love your line of work but are working in a toxic environment, it may be time to quit. What you do is just as important as who you do it with. Often clients experience this as feeling like they’re on the wrong team. If you feel like you cannot share your thoughts freely, then you may be unwittingly harming your physical and/or mental health. Working under dysfunctional management or in a hostile environment is exhausting. If you are unable to affect change in your circle of influence to something less toxic, it may be best to find a healthier place to work, where you can feel welcomed and a part of the team.
3. Do you have room to grow?
More established organisations can often promote and pay according to the revised responsibilities. If your current workplace is not open to this and doesn’t have anywhere to promote you in the medium term, it could become a problem for you. Hitting an invisible ceiling could pigeon-hole you and it can limit your income and your personal job satisfaction. Quitting and finding a position where there’s room to grow and the encouragement to do it can make growing with a company possible.
4. Would you benefit from a radical change?
Sometimes your goals and interests change. What you started out doing for a career may no longer hold your interest. Sometimes change is exactly what you need for a new phase of life or a change in interests. Quitting to pursue something new could elevate your career and your personal interest in how you earn a living. Look for the stepping stone to create your path.
Things to think about BEFORE you quit
While the idea of quitting may ignite your sense of adventure, there are a few things to consider before handing in your resignation.
1. Have a plan before you quit
It’s important to know what your next steps are going to be before you quit. Whether it’s going back to study, getting a new certification, or joining a new company, have a plan so you avoid disrupting your lifestyle.
2. Don’t burn bridges
Leaving should be a positive experience. Even if you are leaving a toxic environment, it’s best to leave on the best terms possible as you never know what the future holds. Avoid quitting with no notice and withhold any negative feelings that could influence future working relationships or references you may need.
3. Make certain you’re moving forward
Quitting to advance your career should be a step forward rather than a lateral or backward move. Be sure that your next steps are going to enhance your skills, income, or your overall career before you make any changes.
You may feel badly about wanting to quit your current position for something new. If you are unsure, speak to a professional who can help you navigate your needs, and emotions and help you clarify your options. Often by the time you have decided to quit, your tolerance for your current work environment is low and a career coach/counsellor can help you maintain current relationships and manage your stress while you look for your next role. So you don’t burn any bridges in the process.
A career coach/counsellor can help you determine what to look for in your next role. And they can support you in preparing your resume and the interview process. If you are going to make a change make it count rather than choosing something just because it’s a change with a better salary. Often those changes don’t last for long, I should know.
After a period of time the gloss of a new job wears off and often the challenges you experienced before raise themselves in different packaging. You have to work through them to stop them popping up.
If you’d like to have a conversation about your career situation, please book in a confidential call with me and we can explore together how you can navigate your situation and get your needs met.
