Live data from Hacker News

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

news.ycombinator.com

71–80 of 102 posts

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

#71
post #10

Enjoy 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!

There are some tricks to help avoid the lows or at least diminish the unpleasantness.

Don't overwork yourself. Get at least 7 hours of sleep. Exercise at least 3 times a week. Keep a pulse of your venture and know when to move on if things aren't looking good. Life is short so don't kill yourself with one thing, you must iterate. Make time for family and friends.

These are some of the things I've learned over the years. Please add to this list if you think of anything else.

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

#72
post #48

Quit! 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.

If you don't have food to eat, that will also kill you.

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

#74
post #36

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 :)

Have you made anything good happen? I ask because I am also contemplating the same move. I am wondering if the economic environment precludes it.

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

#75
Definitely get out of there. However, I'd suggest considering keeping the current job while you look for the next one. If you are looking for a "standard/real" job, being currently employed seems to be viewed as a plus. And it may take some pressure off, money/benefits wise, so that you don't end up feeling the need to take whatever ends up being available/offered.

This approach may still make you feel somewhat better. Once you know you are getting out of the current situation, its annoyance becomes a temporary inconvenience. Still a hassle, but not one you are going to endure indefinitely.

On the other hand, a job does take up a lot of time and energy, particularly traditional business hours. And -- as I know from personal experience -- a bad situation can become so soul sucking that it becomes paralyzing.

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

#76
Dude, quit your job and move to Thailand (or some other cheap place) while you work on your web businesses. The cost of living there is super cheap so your daily expenses will be low and your savings will last longer. Plus, you'll get a chance to explore the world. It's not nearly as hard as people think.

Good luck.

Here's a good article that discusses this idea: http://www.expatsoftware.com/articles/2008/05/laid-off-one-t...

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

#78
It won't and it shouldn't matter much what we say.

We can't load you with courage and send you off, although if you're still hesitating a bit we might be able to scare you enough to make you postpone your plans for a while.

Only you know what you can take now. Maybe you're ready after six months, maybe you're ready now.

Just make sure it's your own calling, and not a choice of ours or of anyone who (you think) will expect something from you. Don't live someone else's life. Live yours instead and find out that it's you who's granted to get to decide everything.

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

#80
If you know you are leaving then perhaps try to renegotiate?

Perhaps doing the job part-time would allow you to have time to do meaningful work on your own while not giving 100% of your stable income.

Perhaps there is an option that will leave you and the company happy.

Post reply on HN