Here’s a story that might sound familiar to you. Michelle worked her way up the so-called corporate ladder. She’s in a job that gives her more than enough to pay the bills, her loan and some luxuries. She made good friends at work, and met all her targets. And yet, something doesn’t feel right.
Is she going the right way?
Is it time to make a U-turn?
Is she facing a dead end?
Is it time to quit?
Are you feeling this way too?
Before you make a decision to submit the resignation letter you’ve been holding on to for the past 2 weeks, it’s best to sit down and think things over with a clear mind. Maybe you’re carried away by things going on around you (ex. Your friends getting in new jobs, you recently received consecutive sermons from your boss). So before rushing right into making a decision, try to understand first where this desire to quit is coming from. Who knows, maybe what you really need is a break from work or a new hobby.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- When did I start feeling this way?
- What triggered (or triggers) me to feel this way?
- If things were different and circumstances were in my favor, would I still think of quitting? (This question will allow you to pinpoint what is it specifically in your job that might be giving you this feeling. If you had a different boss, would you still think of quitting? If you didn’t have to do that project, would it make a difference?)
- If I quit, would I regret this decision a few months or years from now?
- What do I get out of quitting?
- What do I want to do next after I quit?
If after going through these questions, you’re still uncertain, then here are some tips on what you can do to help you discover the answers.
Try something new
Sometimes, we feel demotivated to go to work because we’re tired of the routine. So try doing something new whether in our out of work. Join a special interest group in your office or participate in a project to add spice to your usual routine. It could be the Christmas party committee or the outreach program next month. You might even want to try a different restaurant for lunch or ask your office buddies to join you for yoga after work.
Go on a vacation
Everybody needs a vacation. Studies say that taking a vacation can help reduce stress, improve happiness and overall health. Not only that, vacations allow us to spend time for either self-care, family, friends or other loved ones. It’s like hitting the jackpot with all these benefits right? Just make sure that your vacations are planned well, if you don’t want to experience additional stress. And make sure to learn the art of letting go when things don’t go as planned.
Check out the market
Regardless of whether you’re really serious about moving out, it doesn’t really hurt to check out what’s out there. Explore job search sites for opportunities in your field. Feel free to also send your resume and go for an interview. Going through interviews can be a good learning experience too. You get to know what’s in demand out there, your “market worth” and latest trends. After going through some interviews, who knows, you might just realize how lucky you are with your current job!
Talk to your manager
Not many people I know have good relationships with their managers, but this is actually very important for one’s career. Be open with your manager about career goals and plans. Ask for feedback on areas for improvement and seek support in your development plans. Ask about your company’s direction, and assess whether you see yourself in it.
Ready to better empower your teams through coaching? Send me a message or book a call with me.
No special tools needed. You can start today, and do it consistently to make a difference. Coach Kurly de Guzman is a Career and Leadership Coach and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices based in the Philippines. She continuously seeks ways to add value to leaders and their teams through her newsletter, leadership and career development workshops as well as group and 1:1 coaching sessions for clients.
To work with Kurly, send an email to hello@kurlydeguzman.com or book an exploratory call to discuss your organization’s needs here.
