How to Know the Best Time to Quit Your Job

Some surveys reveal that nearly 90 percent of Americans hate their jobs. Since the average person works eight hours daily, that equates to about 1/3 of these Americans' lives spent in loathing. Most feel trapped because the necessities of life remind them that they need to endure this suffering. If you're on the fence about whether you should quit your job, here are a few steps you can follow to evaluate your current situation.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Evaluate your attendance record. If you frequently use sick days or vacation time to avoid going in to work when you are neither ill nor planning a trip, then you may be tired of your job. This is a subconscious effort to avoid an unpleasant experience. It's human nature to avoid unpleasant experiences and we often make excuses to ourselves in order to avoid confronting the true reason for our behavior.

2. Consider your punctuality. Chances are you didn't begin your job with a commitment to chronic tardiness. However, if you notice a trend of tardiness developing where you're late to work most of the time, then you may subconsciously want to quit your job. Tardiness is often considered a form a silent rebellion - rebellion against the control you feel your employer has over you and your time.

3. Think of the time and energy you give to other pursuits. If you find yourself engrossed with other things before, after, and even during work, then you may find your job to be a nagging interruption. Perhaps a new business venture or book you're writing consumes your thoughts and long to be free of your day job so you can pursue your passion.

4. Give attention to how often you complain about your job. If you feel the need to 'vent' often about your job or co-workers, then you may be ready to quit your job. Dissatisfaction is often a sign that a change is needed. When your heart truly longs for something else, you'll subconsciously try to convince yourself that the grass is greener everywhere else.

Tips & Warnings

• Your passion often determines how your sense of dissatisfaction will be relieved. If you long to work from home or have your own business, then learn all you can about your desired venture and take baby steps until you can make a smooth transition from your current job.
• Don't hastily quit your job in a fit of emotional rage. Make a plan for how you'll transition to another place of employment, another career, or a home business.

[SetApart]

on 10/23/2008 good suggestions!