Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 102 posts

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#31

Post by garply »

frosty wrote: post #24

hey man, i also quit around a month ago and have now been thinking why i did'nt do it earlier. bad economy or good economy, i don't think it should make much of a difference. actually i think this is a good time to start, less competition and also, if we can make something which is making good enough money, when economy becomes better. people will be running after few good startups around.

Regarding competition, I'd expect less from established players in the market, but as unemployment rises, shouldn't the number of startups go up as well?

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#32

Post by briancooley »

Here's a mental exercise: 1) Decide what is the worst that could happen. 2) Assume that it happens. 3) Is it really so bad? 4) How could you recover?

Do it for both leaving and staying. I was surprised to learn that the worst thing that could happen to me in my job was that I continue to have success, further chaining me to a job for which I have no passion.

I have a different situation than you (married with a young child), but answering those questions has encouraged me to make a 2-year plan to get out. Two years because that is when my child will start going to school full-time and my wife will presumably go back to work, providing us with affordable health insurance.

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#33

Post by ErrantX »

You've already quit your job :)

The best advice in this economy is to get your head down and stick in your job till things pick up again.

But, you know, were not here because we do what were told or are supposed to do. :) so get outta there and go make some real money (belief!).

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#34

Post by omnivore »

TakingTheLeap wrote: post #14
lbrandy wrote: post #6

There is no "think". There is "do" and "do not". Sounds like you've made your decision and you just want a push. And since you've asked here, instead of anywhere else, you know that we will push. And that's what you want. You are just a tiny bit insecure and want someone else to say it, but you've subconsciously guaranteed you'll get the push you want. Ok then, I'll oblige. DO IT! It sounds like you can afford it. Ba…

You are absolutely right. I think my main hang-up is the guilt I feel for quitting my job when so many of my friends cannot even get a job in the first place. I think maybe it's just simply unfounded. And yes, everyone here is very good at pushing for risk and action over all else (myself included), and that is exactly why I posted here. Though, even if I had gotten the opposite reaction, I probably would have said y…

I'm in a similar boat, was mulling over it hard because of the economy and people having problems finding jobs, but the last time I went out on my own, I made it work and I had a lot less going for me back then. So I felt like there was no better time and motivation to deal with the roller coaster of working for yourself is something you have to be mentally prepared for and I am now.

Good luck and don't second-guess yourself, just make sure you've got enough fail safes in place to make a go for it and don't look back.

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#35

Post by TakingTheLeap »

briancooley wrote: post #32

Here's a mental exercise: 1) Decide what is the worst that could happen. 2) Assume that it happens. 3) Is it really so bad? 4) How could you recover? Do it for both leaving and staying. I was surprised to learn that the worst thing that could happen to me in my job was that I continue to have success, further chaining me to a job for which I have no passion. I have a different situation than you (married with a young…

You read the 4 Hour Work Week, didn't you? :-)

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#36

Post by mooders »

DO IT! I did exactly this after some soul-searching with my wife over xmas '08. We figured that with my energy, ambition, ideas and so forth I could make something good happen within a few months. Handed my notice in on 5th January. Left on the 12th. Happy as I have ever been on the 13th and stayed that way ever since :)

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#38

Post by nullproc »

There will never be a good time to do anything. You will always be able to find at least one reason in favor or against making any decision.

No one person can tell you whats best for you. The only real advice I would give it to stop teetering and make a hard decision one way or another. Once you've done that, take a second to breathe; congratulate yourself on your decision...and then embrace it.

If you decide to keep your job, make the decision to make the absolute best of the situation, commit 100% to being the best you possibly can while you are there. Likewise, if you quit, go after your next opportunity with all the energy you have.

The bottom line is that you will never be happy if you are constantly second guessing the decisions you make in life. So instead, make the decision that you feel is best for you and don't look back.

Thoughts point us in the right direction, but only actions will get us to our destination.

Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

#39

Post by juliend2 »

I think that quitting your job for going freelance (doing something you're passionate about) is actually a safer choice. Dont let your fear lead you to making poor decisions (like say, working for a client you dont like, because its never worth the money). Who knows, maybe your current job would lay people off and you would not be as well prepared as you seem to be right now. Take the chance, you will not regret it. And during the time you'll work for your friend, im sure you'll find plenty of other opportunities because people will know that you're free for some contracts.

Best luck.

Post reply on HN