ALT-1 When to Quit your Job
Most people spend the majority of their lives at work. It is a sad fact. We spend more time with our workmates than we do at home with the people we love. So shouldn't it be important to really enjoy the work we are doing?
I recently left a job I had been in for 2 years. I loved it and I loved the people I worked with, but I felt that it was time for a change. I had reached a certain level of achievement and as it was a small company there was no higher my salary could go. I left that job for one I thought would bring all the rewards: a payrise, a smarter office, and a nice change.
I was happy in my new job for all of 2 weeks. At 4 weeks I left for the following reasons: It was further from home, meaning that from the time I left for work until the time I got home, it was a 12 hour day. I was only being paid for 8 of those hours. The work was monotonous and I had to work alone. Finally, the girl in charge of my section cried every day. I waited long enough to see if it was her or the job -it was the job. She was severely overworked, taking on everything that was put in front of her, and when she couldn't complete tasks immediately, the boss would take her into his office and rip her apart.
I walked out of that office one lunchtime and I never went back. There was a feeling in my chest that wouldn't allow me to be there any longer. I knew that if I tried to talk to the bosses they would talk me around it. They had a thriving business and I had seen them at work -they could talk anyone into anything. Her mortgage was the reason the other girl stayed. I was lucky enough not to have a mortgage and so was not restricted in my decision. I've never felt so lucky.
I really feel that it is important to leave a job when it starts to effect your emotional health. There is positive stress which we can enjoy, like when something hard needs to be done; at the end of the day the result is achieved and there is a feeling of elation and relief. The negative stress is the stress that remains no matter what happens. Negative stress comes from the boss who makes you cry, the commute that means you have no energy for your family when you get home, and the dread that fills your heart every Sunday evening as you remember there is more work the next day. Even if it is just a faint feeling that something needs to change, I believe you should follow it and see where it takes you.
Some people say you should always get a new job before you leave your old one. If you cannot afford to do otherwise, then you will most likely follow that rule. I think that it is important to have a clean break, clear your head and approach the new task with a certain amount of freshness. I believe that we are guided by certain feelings and that it is very important to search for work with an open and clear mind. You can be amazed at what you will find with time. Trust in it and what you need will be given to you. If you are so unhappy or even just bored, try something else. Go outside your comfort zone and give yourself the opportunity to find a job that you can really look forward to everyday. You don't necessarily have to change careers to do this either. I have worked in similar jobs that were in totally different circumstances. Happiness at work can be caused by just one person who makes your day every day. Don't give up, believe that there is more out there. You will find what you are looking for.
