How to Know You Should Quit Your Job

Stop looking for signs to quit your job. Recognize the ones that are already there. Over 52% of Americans are unhappy at work, and those are the ones talking about it. Some do their best to deal with it. Some take the more optimistic route and try to change their personal perspective. Others realize their unhappiness and leave. Most stick it out until the bitter end. “Suck it up.” “Focus on the positive. You’re paying bills.” “It’s just a job.” “All I have to do is work harder.” Repeating those comments to yourself like a mantra and hoping they take effect only lasts so long. Here’s how to know you should quit your job.

By Sarah Landrum

If you’re looking for a sign to quit your job, here are 14 of them:

You’re reading this post.

It’s okay. Keep reading.

You’re well-versed in the art of hiding.

You go to the bathroom to escape your coworkers, check your phone, and cry.

You wait for any sign to take a “sick day.”

There’s an inch of snow outside. A headache is a throbbing migraine that makes it hurt to think — which could be from trying to decide whether you should go to work or call in sick, again.

Your job is literally making you sick.

Persistent migraines, chronic fatigue, and depression are signs that your body and mind have had enough. Take a closer look at how you feel about your job.

You’re such a “busy” bee!

Busy work looks like you’re managing a major work crisis, even from close up. Bonus points if you’re using a proxy site or sneaky add-on to make Buzzfeed look like a very important memo. What this shows is that work is boring you, especially if you’re done with your actual duties in two hours of the eight-hour workday. You need something that utilizes and challenges your skills.

You’ve already drafted your resignation letter.

Or did the Google search for the, “how to get out of jail quick” letter template.

You’ve changed offices more times than you can count on one hand.

Sometimes this is a positive change, but if this change occurs too often, it gets old fast. If the company is constantly being re-organized, the stress from moving offices will affect your job performance and personal sanity. When leadership roles and policies change too quickly and too often, this indicates a shaky administration behind the scenes. That’s not good for your career. Has your specific job role taken you through every department in the company? If you’ve migrated from department to department and still haven’t seen a promotion, it’s time to quit your job.

Day-old coffee, all-day coffee and you don’t care… Do-dah. Do-dah.

Whatever gets you up, in the car to work, eyes open, back in the car and home again, you’ll drink it. If you need four cups of so-so coffee just to survive the day, despite all the health risks you know you’re subjecting yourself to, it may be time to go somewhere that makes you a little more enthusiastic.

You’re nearly literally a zombie.

The day at work is so draining that you come home, groaning, and fall right into bed. Bonus points if your shoes are still attached to your feet. When your job drains you so much that you don’t spend time with your family or take care of yourself, it’s time to quit.

EVERYONE is telling you to quit your job.

Your family sees it. Your friends see it. Somehow, you’re still making excuses. Why is that? The only permission you need to exit is from yourself.

You’ve been researching exit strategies.

It’s always good to have an exit strategy so you’ll be able to support yourself. Has this planning taken you months or years? If you’re all words and no action, you’ll never quit.

You have Stockholm syndrome.

It’s not that far-fetched. You don’t want to quit and leave your work-family behind to suffer in a toxic work environment without you. It’s been survivable suffering together. Life-changing bonds are formed through trauma and the family we create for ourselves. It’s hard to let go of what’s familiar. Truthfully, though, be the example. If you leave, others may give themselves the permission they need to finally resign, too.

You’re on the cusp of dismissal [Insert paradoxical reason here].

The reason is likely a collection of reasons already discussed in this post. Are you constantly late, sick, or not effectively doing your job? Are you doing your job too well, and no one has noticed you to give you the promotion you deserve? Are you shifted around departments in the form of a “promotion” that doesn’t satisfy or challenge you? It’s likely the reasons are linked to what you should be getting from your job but aren’t. Quit before you’re dismissed. Your actions and how you feel are already telling you what you need to do here.

If you’re looking for permission to quit your job, give it to yourself. Are the mantras working anymore? Can you continue to “suck it up,” or are you finally fed up?

You already know the signs you need to quit your job. You’ve lived them. Now act. Here’s how to quit your job.

By Sarah Landrum: Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer and the founder of Punched Clocks, a site all about finding career happiness and success. For more from Sarah, subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on Twitter @SarahLandrum.