1) You've got a business that already has some money flow;
2) You've got a safety net to bring in extra cash (the friend that can contract out to you);
What are you waiting for?
Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
41–50 of 102 posts
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#42There is ALWAYS work for bright, hard-working people. You sound like you've thought things through and even prepared a bit - do it!
Rivers always reach the sea...
Cheers
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#43Honestly? Unless you have your exit pretty well hammered down, you should try to save your job, even if that means having uncomfortable conversations or going over your boss's head. You say that your friends have "enough extra work to keep [you] busy". Try to get something in writing before jumping ship. "I'll send work your way" from a well-intended friend is not a guarantee. The economy really sucks right now. Unle…
Oh, I definitely am not quitting before having something in writing! They're suppose to get it to me by lunch today.
Another alternative is to ask for a unpaid leave of absence. That will give them time to reconsider and you time to think and do.
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#44If you are miserable, it's really that simple. Just do it. Everybody is unique, and it's your fault your friends cannot find a job. It will be your fault if you keep being miserable. You hold all the cards.
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#45There are so many variables in a decision like this that you've not covered. Just to name a few:
- Do you have a family that relies on your paycheck? - Do you have enough in savings and little enough in debt that you can survive given that the "extra work" could dry up? - Are you focused enough to be your own boss? - If you aren't successful and can't find a job, do you have a fall back when the money runs out, like living with your parent, a working spouse/partner, etc?
The thing is, no one but you can answer those questions, and no one else can assess the amount of risk you're personally willing to stomach.
I guess what I'm trying to say is coming here for advice seems like a poor stratagem. You should really be asking yourself and people who know you well, they'll give you much better feedback than an anonymous group.
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#46I spent two years working a job that got me so depressed by the end I couldn't even get out of bed to go to work. I mean clinically depressed, not just metaphorically. So as someone who has been there; quit. You may have to buy a lower grade of peanut butter for a couple months at Trader Joe's but your freedom and your happiness are priceless.
Sure, the economy isn't great but our society (I'm assuming you're American) has come up with this notion that if you don't have a job at some big company as your parachute you're somehow going end up living in a van down by the river. WRONG. I quit that terrible job and traveled the world, and let me tell you I'm still here in one piece and haven't had to look for used vans yet. Since traveling I've ended up in jobs I didn't like but found it much easier to quit those and move on when I've been unhappy; that was the freedom I learned from having that first bad job experience. Now I know I can leave an employment position and my life won't fall apart.
All that said, don't do anything stupid like quit with no money in the bank. You're still going to have to realistically pay bills and you may end up needing to take a job that's not so glorious after leaving this one to help you get from point A to point B. If you do, make the most of those experiences. Know they too are temporary and only there to help you get to your end goal. Set a timeframe so you know those temporary jobs will eventually come to an end. Stay focused on where you want to be and you will get there.
[edit] I'll also add, don't quit and leave your current company hanging. Give them the proper two weeks (minimum) notice. Try to leave without burning any bridges, regardless of how little you like your current job.
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#47Enjoy the short period of exhiliration. Then be prepared to ride the roller coaster of emotions. You will enjoy both highs and lows that top anything in your previous experience. Once you've done it you will learn there is no better job. Best of luck!
This is great advice.
Knowing it's going to be a rollercoaster really helps -- you don't get too caught up in the highs, and you know the lows are only temporary.
Sure you're still going to have them - but being conscious and aware makes it a lot easier.
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#48Quit!
I'm quitting my job Monday next week. I don't know what I'm doing next or how I'll support my family. Those answers will come - but if I keep coming to this job everyday it will kill me.
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#49I did something similar in June of last year (left a job to begin contracting/consulting), and I didn't even have much in the way of extra expenses saved up. There have been a few times as the economy dipped that I wondered if I was crazy, but so far work has continued to be busy, here. YMMV.
So, are you crazy to quit? I have no idea, but I wish you the best! For myself, I'm sure I made the right choice, so take that for what it's worth, and have fun!
Re: Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today
#50Earlier quoted context omitted.
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…
> the guilt I feel for quitting my job when so many of my friends cannot even get a job in the first place. So your quitting opens up a job for another guy to take. :)
Our company has a hiring freeze in place. If someone quits, then the office loses that job permanently. If the person is fired, then when the hiring freeze gets lifted, then we may replace them. Things might be different at your company. Ours is a Fortune 500 company.