When it is time to go… you really have no choice

When I started thinking about when it is time to leave your current job, I realised what an important, yet scary, idea it is. I Googled the words “when it is time to go” and was amazed that all the searches were either about when and how to break up a personal relationship or when is it a good time to visit a specific place, e.g. Disney World or New York. None of the searches referred to when it is time to make a rash decision on when to leave the employ of your current employer.

Is it that nobody makes such a decision, or maybe it is quite easy to change jobs after receiving an attractive offer that will provide new challenges? Or in a negative light, if you get fired or retrenched YOU do not make the decision, but rather it is made for you.

Today’s post reflects on the idea of voluntary resignation – even if you have no new job to walk into. What can ever be enough justification to give such notice? Why would anyone be so daft to give up a job, especially in these uncertain economic times? There could be numerous reasons:

1. Your vision and the company’s are not aligned
2. The company overlooks your worth, and opportunities for growth and advancement are slim
3. Your advice and input are not taken to heart, or ignored completely
4. You truly dislike your current position, routine, job function, etc.
5. You can amount to so much more, and your employer either cannot or are not willing to give you the opportunity

Breaking up is hard to do, and that includes voluntary resignation. The writing may have been on the wall for months, even years, yet procrastination can make it a long, slow process. Wrestling with the dilemma of staying or leaving is often very painful. Loyalty, commitment and a willingness to change your mindset are all valuable qualities to bring to a work relationship, but it is good to be aware that these virtues can also work against you and cause you to prolong the suffering by clinging onto something that has lost its spark and is no longer good for you.  Ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I afraid of? Why do I not resign, even though I know I should? Am I scared of failure, of not getting another job?
• How realistic are my fears? If I am well qualified, with good experience, surely the chances of re-employment is good? How can I address these fears?
• Is this work relationship bringing out the best in me? Is it enjoyable, am I doing as well as I should? Am I giving my best? If not, why not? What prevents me from being the best I can be?
• Do I make excuses for or justifying my manager’s actions, decisions and professional conduct? What have I, and am I, learning from my position? Is there really any further scope to keep on learning?
• Am I stuck in a dead-end street?
• If today was my last day alive, is this job really where I would like it to end? Is there other things I still want to experience or achieve?

I challenge you today to start getting honest about your current position. Do you REALLY want to stay, or are you stuck and scared of failure? You know the answer, now start acting upon this knowledge. It is your life, live it to the fullest. If your employer is not worthy of your talent and time, it is time to go. You will NEVER regret this leap!