When Should You Quit Your Job?
The first thing you should understand, is that it's a long term decision. Even though my thoughts on this topic is not really related to Seth Godin, you should read The Dip. Sometimes quitting is the best decision, sometimes sticking is what you should be doing. It's an awesome book about any project or about any long term decision really.
When you're fed up at work, and you're thinking about quitting, you shouldn't just ask yourself whether you're happy at work, or happy doing what you do. It's a more complex story, with at least five questions that you need to answer.
1. Is your work valuable?
Do you consider your work to be of value? Is it of value to your customers? Do you help people or animals? Do you help the environment? What kind of value does your work provide? Or is what you do just of value to yourself, is it your passion (or maybe because you're having a great time, or earning a lot of money)?
If you're work is of value to someone or something, you might think different about your decision.
2. Is there a chance for advancement?
If you think a few years from now, will you still be doing what you do today, or is there a chance for advancement? It's not only about your job position, it's about the work itself. Will you be doing exactly what you do today, or something different?
3. Are you still learning things?
To me, it's very important that I learn new things. Life is about learning. I need to do things different, maybe the same assignments, but I want to learn how to do them in a different way. I need new assignments, I want to learn how to do them. I want to be challenged, and I want to do a great job solving the challenge.
4. Does your job give you unique access?
To many, a great salary and an interesting job is all that matters. You should also consider the value of unique access to certain things.
Some companies give their employees free food, some give them access to a fitness centre, libraries, movie theatres, playstation/xbox/nintendo, and some give their employees all sorts of health benefits.
Does your job give you access to something you wouldn't have if you quit your job? Will you miss the benefits if you quit your job?
5. What is the financial outlook?
You should always consider what you think you'll be earning in a year or two from now. If you're getting a pay raise, it's not as important what you're currently earning. Does your future look bright, are you expecting a pay raise?
Ask the questions, and answer them before you decide whether you should quit or not.
