Should You Quit Your Job?

I'm a life coach and help people live the life of their dreams so I always get asked "Do you think I should quit my job?". I've even had someone say "See that woman over there? She's my boss and I hate her, what advice do you have for me?"

To be honest, if you hate your job then it's not about if but WHEN you should quit and do something else.

I'm serious. Because if you do something that you hate, eventually something's gotta give - your health, your sanity, your relationship, your self esteem and your overall happiness.

A bad job, complete with the boss from hell can scar your confidence you for years. A boring or mediocre job gives you permission to live a boring or mediocre life.

Some people love their jobs. It suits their unique skills and talents and the job gives them the right amount of money, life-style and personal fulfilment. Does that sound like you? Probably not, otherwise you wouldn't have been interested in reading this article (especially if you're at work right now!).

Let's quit the pretence for a moment. A lot of people are only tolerating their job because they don't have the choice to leave. Some people loathe every second of their work and it spreads into every area of their life until every shred of happiness is sucked out of them.

But Denise, everyone has to work. It's the reality of life!

Yes, that's true. We all have to earn money. But who decided that we had to suffer or be bored by what we do 40 hours a week?

Forget what your parents or other people think - you can still earn money but you do not have to hate your job. You are allowed to earn money in a way that fulfils you as a person.

You're even allowed to love your job.

There are hundreds of different jobs that you could do instead of one that you hate. You can still be a responsible adult, one who earns money, but why not be someone who is in love with their job!

Get clear on the impact

If you're not sure if you should quit your job, look at the impact it has on your life.

How is your current job affecting or supporting these areas of your life?

Health & Vitality

Do the hours work for you and your lifestyle or family commitments?
Is the environment a healthy one? Do you get enough fresh air, light and personal space?
Do you lie awake at night thinking about work problems?
Is your job compromising your health or physical body in any negative way?
Do the people you work with make you feel happy or miserable?

Wealth & Abundance

Are you happy with your salary, commission or benefits?
Do you feel valued and appreciated for the value you offer?
Are you able to do the things that you want to do?
Do you have enough money to live the life you want?

Fulfilment

Do you feel satisfied after a working week?
Are you making a difference with your work?
Does your job stretch and challenge you mentally?
Do you enjoy your day or do you watch the clock constantly?

Hand on heart - are you doing what you love?

But, I can't afford to quit my job!

Cool, I get it. You can't just throw caution to the wind and go live in nude hippie commune; you've got responsibilities. Mortgage, debts and a certain standard of living that you need to maintain.

However, if your job is really painful and you're hating every minute of it, you have to take some action. If your job is just okay, but you know that you could be doing something more fulfiling, then it's only a matter of time before you need to take some action.

Nobody said that earning money had to be painful. You're an adult and you have the right to choose employment that perfectly suits you.

It might take time but you can put a plan in place to transition into a job that you like. It may require sacrifices or it may not. If you haven't gotten a pay increase in years then you can immediately look around fo a position more in line with your value.

If you work with toxic people, you can try and move departments. You can make a formal complaint. You can work on your self esteem so the bullies don't get any charge from abusing you anymore.

My last "job" was part-time - just three days a week. But it took some years to get there. As a couple, we had to make some sacrifices such as cutting out luxuries, forgoing holidays and drastically cutting down expenditures. But it was worth it to feel happier.

Here's the transition I went through over about 4 years:

Working in a corporate consulting company with very long hours and with management problems that were causing me increasing amounts of stress

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Downsizing into a charity, 5 minutes from home working with lovely people and enjoying regular 9-5 hours

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Working 3 days a week in a different charity, again not a very stressful environment in a job that stretched me more mentally and taught me some great skills

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Working offsite as a contractor setting own hours but with clear deadlines. It gave me the freedom and creativity I craved but with the security of regular income.

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Working for myself as a life coach and speaker. Setting my own agenda and 100% responsible for my own success.

It didn't happen over night and it didn't happen by accident. It was a deliberate transition with a few bumps in the road. I couldn't have done it without the support of my husband.

Working part-time is fantastic. Yes, your salary goes down but actually not as much as you think. You don't have time to get involved in company dramas and your productivity increases. You can use the extra time for study, working on your passions, volunteering or finding alternative ways to make your own money. I believe that flexible work arrangements are the way of the future. Work for work's sake is not why we are here.

If you don't believe you can downsize your salary, then I suggest that you brainstorm ways you could cut back and afford it. Expensive gym membership, cable or Pay-TV and takeaway dinners won't be missed if you are 100 times happier with your life! Don't feel guilty either, you won't be sitting around on the couch - you'll be actually living.

Follow your passions

The ideal scenario for most people would be to make money out of their passion and creativity. This means becoming an entrepreneur, working in a creative industry like acting or dance, writing a book or something else that doesn't feel like "work".

Having a day job is no excuse for not following your dreams now. Start on evenings and weekends, build your skills slowly and one day you'll be able to charge for your services. Keep going and one day you'll be able to make a living. Think of it as an apprenticeship.

Take action

What action can you take in the next 24 hours to start to make a shift?

It could be as big as handing in your resignation or as small as simply deciding that tomorrow is going to be different. You could look at your finances to see how you could afford to downshift your career. You could dust off your resume and send it out.

I'm extremely passionate about you and everyone else finding joy and fulfilment out of our daily lives. Life is too short and I officially give you permission to want more out of your life.

Tell me in the comments below what you think of this article - is it unrealistic? Are you inspired? What action are YOU going to take?

Best of luck!