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Making The Decision To Leave Your Job

Last Updated: January 17, 2022 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 51 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Hey everyone! I hope all of you had a great weekend. Lately, I have been answering questions that readers have been asking me. The other day I published Financial Changes When You Work For Yourself because many people have asked me how self-employment is financially different from working for someone else.

Surprisingly, many people I have talked to in person think that self-employment means that you are retired. Oh boy are they wrong!

I have been asked by several people whether I am happy with my decision to leave my job, and how I even knew that I should leave it. I definitely think that people should either go for their passion, or go for a job that allows them to pursue their passion in some form.

I’m not saying that everyone should go into work this week and quit their jobs. However, most of us have had a job though that we were not in love with. I recently read that around 30% of workers do not like their job. Also, around 75% of workers would actually LEAVE their job if they received a better offer from another company. That seems like a lot of people!

There are some things that you should ask yourself if you think that you may want to leave your job.

Why do you want to leave your job?

Almost everyone at one point in their life has dreaded Monday morning (or whenever the first day of the work week is for you). No matter how much you love your job, I’m sure there has been at least one point where you would rather be doing something else (such as sleeping in).

Do you actually want to leave your job, or are you just going through what most people go through after they work somewhere for a long time?

 

Do you see a future with your current job?

Not everyone wants to become CEO of a company when they are older, but do you see your job/company giving you the future that you want? Whatever your dream is, will your job allow for that?

Maybe you want a dream position at a certain company. Can you eventually reach this position or is that impossible at your current company? This is a case where you might want to look for a company where you may be able to reach your dream position.

Maybe you want to start a family, and your current job means that you won’t be able to have a good work-life balance.

Maybe you want to travel the world, but your job doesn’t allow for any vacation time.

Related: How To Quit Your Job And Become Self-Employed

 

Do you have realistic expectations of what you plan on switching to?

When you first think about leaving your job, you may have hopes for something better. However, that may not always be the case. What will you be switching to? How will you make an income? How do you not know that your next company/job/boss/colleagues may not be just as worse?

 

If you weren’t afraid, what would you want to be doing?

One of the top reasons for why a person doesn’t leave the job they hate to pursue what they want to do is because they are afraid.

They are afraid to fail, afraid to not love it, afraid to let others down, afraid to not make enough money and so on.

Fact is, you will probably be scared leaving your job. You will be scared to do whatever is next in your life. However, create as solid of a plan as you can, and believe in yourself.

 

Do you have another job lined up?

If you want to leave your job, then you might want to have another job lined up if you don’t have a well-funded emergency fund. Yes, there may be some instances where leaving your job cannot wait another day, but you should be as prepared as you can before you leave your job.

 

If you want to start your own business, could you start it and keep the job you have?

If you can, try to pursue your next position or business on the side to see if it is even possible. This can give you a good taste as to whether or not you think your “passion” is actually your passion. You might find out that you actually hate it and you might want to just stay at your day job.

This way you don’t lose out on any income, and you get to keep your job.

 

Have you made an action plan to leave your job and pursue your passion? Why or why not?

What would you do if you could leave your job?

 

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51 Comments
Filed Under: Business Income, Career, Extra Income, Goals Tagged With: Career, Extra Money, Goals, Self-employment

About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  1. My Money Design says

    December 9, 2013 at 4:55 am

    I’ve got to agree with that last point the most. Starting a business is HARD! The uncertainty of whether it will work or not, whether you’ll ever make any money, etc. A good way to “test run” if you’re ready for it or not is to take on a project at work where you’d simulate being on your own. It might be a new division or a new product launch. But if you have trouble doing it (or don’t like it), then you may want to re-consider the self-employment route.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:25 pm

      Yes, exactly!

      Reply
  2. Dee @ Color Me Frugal says

    December 9, 2013 at 5:31 am

    Great post! I have been thinking about this a lot, as I am one of those people who is not wild about their job but keeps at it because I presently have no other source of income. But I am working on that big time and trying to grow my blog! Yes, it is scary to think about leaving the world of working for an employer but I think probably anything worth doing is always a little scary, right?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:34 pm

      Yes, anything worth doing will be at least a little scary! It can be scary to take the leap to working for yourself, but it is worth it to me.

      Reply
  3. FI Journey says

    December 9, 2013 at 5:44 am

    This is exactly where I am right now Michelle! I’ve been offered a great amount to be an IT consultant (basically half my salary to work 1.5 days a week for them), but I don’t think it’s time to leave my current job just yet. It’s hard to say! If I can do both for 6-12 months that would work out the best for sure, but I don’t know if that will work for the consulting gig.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:48 pm

      I hope it works out that you can do both! That would be some nice extra income 🙂

      Reply
  4. DC @ Young Adult Money says

    December 9, 2013 at 6:22 am

    I blogged about this a few weeks ago and I honestly have no intention of leaving my job. While I would love to make a full-time income on my side hustles, it’s just not there yet. Even if it was there it would take me a long, long time to leave, mainly because I am learning so much at work and I really do think I have a good setup as far as the company I work for. This is so important -> “If you want to start your own business, could you start it and keep the job you have?” My marketing prof and I discussed entrepreneurship often and this was his biggest question/advice. Start it while you still have your current job, if at all possible! It eliminates a lot of the risk of starting a new biz.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      That is awesome that you like what you do and like your company! Do you always plan on having side hustles?

      Reply
  5. Holly@ClubThrifty says

    December 9, 2013 at 6:24 am

    I left my job in April/May to freelance/blog full-time. I haven’t regretted it. I have a lot more responsibility now but I’m also able to make a lot more money. I do miss some of the people I worked with occasionally…but I don’t miss my job! =)

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:53 pm

      Ha I don’t miss anything!

      Reply
  6. Laurie @thefrugalfarmer says

    December 9, 2013 at 6:24 am

    “If you weren’t afraid, what would you want to be doing”. That is one of the most important questions we can ask, I think, Michelle. So many times we make decisions out of fear. Fear of not having enough money, fear of being solely responsible for our employment, etc., etc. Great post, Michelle!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:53 pm

      Yes, fear controls so many people.

      Thanks Laurie!

      Reply
  7. Brian @ Luke1428 says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:21 am

    This is a great post Michelle! People simply do not think these issues through. Instead they get ticked off at their job and leave without thinking about the future consequences. Then when the future arrives and becomes the now, they find themselves in a financial mess. Have to plan your exit better so the transition to a new life doesn’t become disastrous.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks Brian! A well thought out action plan is definitely needed.

      Reply
  8. Broke Millennial says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:25 am

    I’d say insurance is the #1 reason I’m still with my current job. Having to sign up for Obamacare would bleed me dry right now, but I’m also not confident enough to live without any form of insurance. So, I figure stick with insurance and income while I continue to freelance for extra money and find a new job. I have been developing an action plan while admiring you and so many others who quit their day jobs.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:24 pm

      Aww thanks!

      And yes, it was hard for me to leave my day job because of the insurance.

      Reply
  9. dojo says

    December 9, 2013 at 9:07 am

    In my case the job vanished and I had to find my footing as a freelancer. Wasn’t too happy back then, but it really worked out well.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      A lot of freelancers start the same way!

      Reply
  10. Alexa says

    December 9, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Very solid advice Michelle! I love that I now look forward to Monday morning instead of dreading it. I use to get so stressed out on Sunday evening thinking about going to work the next day. It’s such an amazing feeling to wake up and start working on something you enjoy doing.

    I would add to save up a bunch of money if you’re thinking of going out on your own. I know I certainly wouldn’t have been comfortable taking the risk without having money to fall back on.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:31 pm

      Yes, I used to get so stressed out too just thinking about having to go to work the next day. I just did not enjoy it at all!

      Reply
  11. Andy | Income by Example says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:45 am

    I like my day job as a real estate agent, but there are definitely some drawbacks such as working weekends sometimes or never feeling like you’re off the clock. I think of living off of side income activities, but I like the social interaction I have with this job so I’m looking for a balance of the two to appeal to the different sides of my personalities but also for more stable income.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      A balance sounds like it would be nice for you! At my day job, there was almost no interaction so I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.

      Reply
  12. Candice says

    December 9, 2013 at 11:49 am

    I’m quitting my job this month! I have no reason to stay. I’m so excited!! I know working for myself is hard and it won’t be fun all the time but I’m doing it now because I’m young with nothing to lose.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      WOOOHOOO!

      Reply
  13. Jason B says

    December 9, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    I actually did leave my job. There was no growth and everyone complained. I made sure I had an emergency fund and made it happen. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:39 pm

      Good job!

      Reply
  14. Tanya says

    December 9, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    I quit my job once. On the spot too. I was in a position at the time were my husband was making enough to support us both and I wasn’t too worried about the money part of it. It was a reatail job and the boss just seemed to have something against me and made working there impossible. I was lucky though and found a new job the very next week.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:40 pm

      Ugh sounds like a bad job! That is great that you found a job the very next week.

      Reply
  15. Michelle says

    December 9, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Ugh I’m so sorry Michelle! What is your action plan?

    Reply
  16. Michelle says

    December 9, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Moving closer to family is important to me as well!

    Reply
  17. Connie @ Savvy With Saving says

    December 9, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    I’ve made a few bad career decisions out of fear. I went from one unhappy job to another because of my fear of being unemployed, not having a stable paycheck, what other people would think, etc. I’m trying to remind myself that money isn’t everything, happiness is.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      Yes, the fear of being unemployed and not bringing in money used to stop me a lot.

      Reply
  18. Kim says

    December 9, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I don’t hate what I do, I just don’t want to do it 5+ days per week in an office. My solution is to work harder on the days I’m there so I don’t have to work everyday. At this point in my life, there really isn’t much I know how to do that could make more money, so until our real estate empire is complete, I’ll be checking eyeballs!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 7:36 pm

      WOOHOO Checking eyeballs!

      Reply
  19. E.M. says

    December 9, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    These are great questions to ask yourself if you’re contemplating leaving your job. For me, I haven’t found something I’m truly passionate about. I would love to wake up and actually look forward to going to work. Being in an admin position isn’t very exciting/motivating. I think it will come in time, as I know I have to build up experience first, but it can be a painful wait.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      I hope you find your passion 🙂 I’m sure you will!

      Reply
  20. Karen Martínez P. says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    Quitting your job is the best thing you could do to live the lifestyle you want and control the money you earn.

    It’s really hard to commute monday to friday, spend 8 hours at an office and just follow directions.

    I have been working for two years now, and decided I wanted to be a freelance writer and blogger.

    Best decision ever.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      WOOHOOO Karen!

      Reply
  21. Liz says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    I am satisfied with my new job. I don’t love it but I enjoy being around others and learning. I would like to leave corporate america to run my own business but that is more long-term for me at this point. My dream full-time job is to be a blogger. I love all things personal finance. I also have an idea for a niche site that I would like to put together. Blogging is so time consuming though! Not sure I could handle both websites at once with a full-time job.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 9:38 pm

      Sounds awesome Liz 🙂

      Reply
  22. Grayson @ Debt Roundup says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    I am probably one of the few that really enjoys their job, yet still runs a business on the side because I have other interests. I don’t mind running both and I will continue to do it. I agree with all of your points here.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 9, 2013 at 9:38 pm

      That’s awesome Grayson! I just couldn’t do it anymore.

      Reply
  23. jefferson @SeeDebtRun says

    December 9, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    My feeling about my job ebbs and flows.. I love the work, but the corporate red tape just wears me down.
    I love writing and the blog world even more than doing IT work.. but I am nowhere close to the point to where I could switch.

    My goal is to find opportunities with my current employer that increase my job satisfaction. Leaving is just too risky when you have mouths to feed.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 10, 2013 at 11:40 am

      Yes, if we had kids, I do think it would be an entirely different story!

      Reply
  24. EL @ Moneywatch101 says

    December 10, 2013 at 9:42 am

    I would most definitely do something relating to financial coaching or Personal training. These are the two things I can do 24 hours a day without no regrets and enjoy it 10X more than my current job.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 10, 2013 at 11:40 am

      What do you currently do?

      Reply
  25. Martin says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    The best thing to do is to start a side income right now. You don’t have time to waste. Use that one hour in the evenings to get things done. Find a client ASAP. Stop messing around!

    Reply
  26. Joshua from CNAFinance.com says

    December 10, 2013 at 5:40 pm

    I’ve tried to leave my job 3 times. Each time I try, they give me an offer I can’t refuse. The last time, Friday of last week, I explained to my employer that it was costing me more to be at work than he paid me…I’m doing a lot of writing and making pretty good money at it. Anyway, he said he’d be willing to pay me my full time salary if I stayed here and did my work from his office in my 3 to 4 hours of spare time a day….hmmm…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to leave this place! Thanks for the great read!

    Reply
  27. Michelle says

    December 10, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for the great advice Michelle. I’m a definitely in a transition stage and unlike most people am very happy about the Affordable Health Care act. I’ve created a budget that includes the cost of the insurance and it has made my visions of working for myself a lot more realistic.

    Reply
  28. Adam says

    December 11, 2013 at 8:44 am

    I like the people I work for and with and even though the company I work for is a very small business but I still feel “out of place” if you will. I have the drive and initiative to want to work for myself and have had the drive for many years but the process of getting to that level and being able to survive it at the same time has been very drawn out it seems. Year after year though I keep trying so maybe one day it’ll pay off. =)

    Reply
  29. Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans says

    December 13, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    “If you weren’t afraid, what would you be doing?” is such a scary question for me. I have so many DREAMS but I’m still not sure which ones are the ones that need to be reality and which ones stay dreams…

    Reply

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My name is Michelle and I'm the author/owner of Making Sense of Cents. Learning how to save money and make more money changed my life. It allowed me to pay off $40,000 in student loans, start my own business, and I now travel full-time.

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