Should you quit your job? The warning signs from a self-development expert

Tell me if this sounds familiar at all: your phone alarm starts buzzing in the morning and the world slowly comes into focus. As your brain wakes up, you remember that it’s yet another slog of a day at work ahead of you, and you’ve got very little motivation to get up, shower and head to work. In other words, you’re totally over your job.

If that resonates with you, then it might be time you seriously considered whether you should quit your job. There can be something scary about the q-word, but it doesn’t have to be. Career changes are very common and can lead to increased happiness and fulfillment in all areas of your life.

If quitting your current job has crossed your mind, there’s a bunch of warning signs to look out for. They include feelings of burnout, boredom or that you’ve hit the ceiling at work with everything you wanted to do.

If that feels like you, the best thing you can do is acknowledge where you’re at and try to move into action mode. The worst thing to do is nothing at all, and instead wallow in a job that you hate with people that you loathe. The impact a bad job can have on your mental and physical health is large, and if your work is consistently affecting your health negatively, it's crucial that you prioritise your well-being and consider leaving before things get worse.

You also need to realise that you’re not alone. The pandemic prompted many people to reexamine their purpose in life. A McKinsey survey from 2021 revealed that almost two-thirds of US employees reflected on their purpose due to the pandemic, with half of them reconsidering their career paths.

Work is important, but it’s not the most important thing in your life. Your mind, body and relationships are all just as important as work is (in fact, some would argue they are way more important), so when your job consistently interferes with your personal life, leaving you with little time or energy for other aspects of your life, it may be time to seek a better balance.

Of course, quitting a job is a completely personal decision that needs to consider your financial situation, life stage and responsibilities. But if you’ve had a niggling thought that you should quit your job, don't be afraid to pursue a path that truly resonates with you.

Take this handy quiz to determine if right now is the right time to quit your job.

1. 1. How do Sunday nights make you feel?

2. a) I love Sunday nights. I’m usually excited to start the week and get lots of things done at work

3. b) Not much really. It’s pretty much the same as every other night

4. c) I loathe Sunday evenings. It makes me kinda anxious just thinking about the upcoming week of work

1. 2. How often do you feel challenged and engaged in your current role?

2. a) A lot. I'm constantly learning and growing

3. b) Sometimes. I have some interesting projects, but not all the time.

4. c) Rarely. Most days feel monotonous and unfulfilling

1. 3. If you brought a new idea to your boss on a way you’d like to improve your job, would they:

2. a) Implement it next week if they agree it’s a good option

3. b) Listen to what you have to say, but not really act on it

4. c) Laugh you out of the room or ignore what you have to say

1. 4. How would you categorise your relationship with your colleagues and superiors at work?

2. a) I feel valued and respected by those around me

3. b) I’d say it’s professional, but not particularly close

4. c) Strained or toxic. There's frequent conflict or a lack of trust between us

1. 5. How do you feel about your life-work balance?

2. a) I have time for both work and a personal life

3. b) It's manageable, but could be better

4. c) It’s poor. Work consistently interferes with my personal life and well-being.

1. 6. How often do you think about changing careers or starting a new job?

2. a) I’m happy where I am right now

3. b) I sometimes wonder about other opportunities

4. c) I often dream about leaving my current job

1. 7. How do you feel about the amount of money you’re paid for your work?

2. a) I feel fairly compensated for the work that I do

3. b) I believe I could earn more elsewhere but it’s not too bad

4. c) Underpaid and undervalued. My compensation doesn't match my contributions

1. 8. How much stress do you feel at work?

2. a) A manageable amount. I feel challenged but not overwhelmed

3. b) I experience stress at times, but it's not constant so I can deal with it

4. c) I often feel burned out and overwhelmed at work

1. 9. How aligned are your personal values with your company's mission and culture?

2. a) Strongly aligned. I feel proud to work for my company.

3. b) There are some shared values, but also differences

4. c) Misaligned. I often feel at odds with the company's values and goals

1. 10. Can you see career grown within your current company?

2. a) Yes, I can see a definite path for advancement and development

3. b) There are some opportunities, but it’s not always super clear how to get there

4. c) There are limited or no opportunities for growth

Count the number of As, Bs and Cs you have written down, and this is what it means:

Mostly As: Awesome work. You’ve found a job that you enjoy, and that aligns well with your own personal values. Your aim should be to continue growing your career within the company, and seeking out challenges that will keep you satisfied. Not everyone finds a job they enjoy, so consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

Mostly Bs: While your job doesn’t always hit it out of the park, you’ve got a decent job that you enjoy at times and don’t at others. The good news is that there’s room for improvement, so you should try to focus on how you improve your situation at work first instead of changing jobs. If you have a good relationship with them, try talking to your boss about different ways you can improve your current role before you make any drastic changes.

Mostly Cs: Ok, it’s time for an honest chat. It sounds like your job is not giving you what you need, and you should seriously consider quitting and finding one that does. You current job seems to be giving you significant stress and dissatisfaction, and that’s no good for anyone. Start exploring other options, and consider if there’s some professional help like a careers counsellor, or even a mentor, that can help guide your next steps. You got this!

Tim Duggan is a leading expert on work and careers, and author of new book Work Backwards: The Revolutionary Method to Work Smarter and Live Better

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