When to Quit Your Job?

Note from Yann: 👋 Hey everyone, I’m Yann AïtBachir ! Each week, I share practical tips to help you level up your career in tech.

This week, let’s talk about something that’s as tough as it is important: knowing when it’s time to move on from your job. I share how I do for myself.

💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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Ever felt that gut feeling?

The one that tells you it's time to move on from your current job?

Within my career, I regularly have this feeling.

We've all been there, staring at the job boards, wondering if the grass is truly greener on the other side.

Quitting your job is a big decision, especially in the current tech landscape. Layoffs are still making headlines.

Quitting your job can feel terrifying, but often, it's the best move you can make. For you.

If you're already pondering it, chances are your gut knows something is off.

But, it can be tough to recognize the signs and know the right time to act.

So, I have created my own system to tell me if I should quit, which I'll share with you in this article.

Let's dive in.

🚪 Why You Should Quit

From my experience, most people leave for just a few common reasons:

• 🌱 Growth: Not learning anymore.
• 💰 Money: Not getting paid what you’re worth.
• ❤ Wellbeing: Your emotional health is suffering.

These might sound obvious, but recognizing them in your own situation can be surprisingly hard.

Here’s how to spot the signs.

🌱 Growth: Are You Still Learning?

Growth isn’t just about promotions; it’s about getting better at your craft and staying motivated.

If this year looks exactly like last year (same projects, same skills, same struggles) that’s a red flag.

Think back: Did you develop anything new this year, or are you running on autopilot?

Mastery and curiosity are huge motivators, and if they’re missing, boredom will start to creep in. And that boredom can easily lead to burnout.

If your career feels like five years of experience doing the same year over and over, it’s probably time to go.

People want meaningful work, opportunities to grow, and to feel valued and respected. If your job isn't providing these, it's no surprise that leaving starts to look like the best option.

💰 Money: Are You Being Compensated Fairly?

Money isn’t everything. But it’s definitely something.

If you feel underpaid, it’s tough to stay motivated.

It’s also tough to know if you’re underpaid unless you keep an eye on the market.

Sometimes a big paycheck is used to compensate for other issues, like a toxic environment or ridiculous hours.

If your compensation is the only reason you’re sticking around, that’s worth a second thought.

Remember, you’re not just exchanging time for money—you’re trading your mental and emotional energy as well.

If you feel like your contributions are undervalued, it might be time to see what opportunities are out there that better match your worth.

❤ Wellbeing: How Do You Feel at Work?

This is the trickiest one.

Emotional health doesn’t plummet overnight. It’s a slow burn.

Maybe you’ve stopped feeling excited about your projects.

Maybe you’re just tired all the time or dreading Monday mornings more than usual.

A toxic workplace can wear you down without you even noticing at first.

If you’re feeling undervalued, unappreciated, or simply exhausted by office dynamics, those are major signs that something needs to change.

If you’re feeling disconnected or like your work environment doesn’t respect you, it may be time to move on.

🔍 Picking Up the Clues: Is It Time to Move On?

So, how can you objectively assess these factors and determine if your gut feeling is accurate?

It's essential to have a structured approach to avoid making impulsive decisions based on temporary emotions.

This is where my system comes in.

I've developed a set of 20 simple yes/no questions that I ask myself regularly, every two weeks.

It takes less than a minute to complete, and over time, it provides valuable time-series data.

This data helps me identify trends and patterns in my feelings about my job, giving me a clearer picture of my overall satisfaction.

The questions are straightforward, such as:

1. Did I learn anything new or exciting in the last two weeks?
2. Do I feel like Im making progress towards my career goals?
3. Do I find myself feeling underappreciated because of my pay?
4. Am I excited about my projects, or just going through the motions?
5. Do I feel valued and respected in my current role?

Etc...

🎁 If you'd like the full list of questions, let me know in the comment section, and I'll send you my document privately. 🎁

After taking the test, I count the number of no answers.

If I score more than 10, three times in a row, I start seriously considering a change.

Why three times? To avoid making decisions based on a temporary bad mood or a rough week. Three consecutive scores of 10 or more indicate a persistent pattern of dissatisfaction over six weeks, suggesting a deeper issue.

For any other score, I reflect on the questions I answered no to and create a plan on how I can turn those nos into yeses.

This could involve seeking new challenges, addressing concerns with my manager, or finding ways to improve my work-life balance.

Everything about quitting, job hunting, interviewing, negotiating, can be uncomfortable

Its a leap of faith.

But if your gut is already telling you its time to go, trust that feeling.

Dont ignore those signals.

Staying in a situation that's no longer serving you can hinder your growth, drain your energy, and ultimately hold you back from reaching your full potential.

Taking that leap, even if it feels scary, can open doors to incredible opportunities.

Imagine finding a role where you're challenged, valued, and excited to wake up every morning.

Imagine finally achieving that work-life balance you crave.

Sometimes, the scariest decisions lead to the most fulfilling outcomes.

So, listen to your gut, take a chance on yourself, and embrace the possibility of a brighter future.

Note from Yann: 👋 Hey folks! Thanks for reading the 28th edition of The Simple Leader’s Playbook.

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