When the Time Has Come to Say Good Bye

How do you know when it is time to quit your job? Better yet, how do you know if it will serve you better to not only quit your job, but make a career change? I'd like to think that the signs are easy to read, in both your own actions and in others actions, and with good planning, and a good support system, these changes are possible and will possess a continual manifestation of benefits, not only for you and your health and well-being, but for those around you.

From my own experience, I know it is time for me to leave my current venture, job, school, etc. when I become short; short tempered, short minded, as short time necessary to stay, short attention span.....you get the picture. Typically, like in any relationship this severing takes time, and usually begins to occur weeks, months, and even years before the final "break up."

There are steps, one must consider before leaving, however. You need to have a plan, you need to have an income, or a support system, you need to call a meeting with your boss, and let them know in person-not through the grapevine, and probably more importantly, you need not to threaten, but if you say you are going to quit-don't do it in the heat of the moment, thus burning the bridges you may need to stand upon one day-do it with class, respect, and dignity.

If you have had 2-3+ jobs in your current field, and have dreaded going to work once the newness wears off, or the job requirements continually irritate you-you need to think career change. Not everyone is cut out to do everything, nor are they good at it. If you are not good at what you do, it stresses out you and others around you unnecessarily.

In the end, a job is a choice. A job is a means to an end. A job should not control you or own you. What it should do is empower you, to want to learn, to grow, to give, etc. If it does not-it is time to give change a thought. Begin this change with the end in mind. Eat the elephant one bit at a time, because every day that passes can be either another day closer to accomplishing this change-or another day lost if you don't jump on your chance.