Have you ever come across those light brown cardboard boxes that have a “FRAGILE, DO NOT TOUCH” sticker glued to their tops? They’re perhaps the most delicate and frail objects that exist in our day to day lives. However, more than anything, you must be wondering why I’m talking about boxes when I should focus on your dilemma about leaving your job, but here’s where I draw the parallel between both situations. Let us know about the ‘Scared To Leave A Comfortable Job’.
You see, in some capacity, we have become this light brown cardboard box that has a “FRAGILE, DO NOT TOUCH” sticker glued to its top. We’re a group of scared, flimsy, delicate people that are constantly trying to run away from our problems and to a certain extent, that fear we’re governed by is valid, but for how long are we going to push it aside? We believe that the greatest failures emerge from an imbalance between idea and execution, so if you think you know that a certain job isn’t for you, then JUST LEAVE IT.
Okay perhaps it isn’t as easy as I made it sound, but here’s what you can do if you’re caught up in a situation similar to that one:
Accept your fear
Being afraid is more human than you think it is. In fact, it’s a healthy sign of concern; it’s a sign that you care about the consequences of your decision, which well, should feel pleasant for starters.
The reason why it’s important to accept the fact that you’re nervous and agitated is because living in delusion or running away from what your reality looks like is only going to add to the stress. If you’re able to face it head on, you’re going to waste a lesser amount of time worrying over how bleak your future looks, and allocate the right resources to find a solution instead.
The best way to do this is to sit with yourself, brainstorm, and write down exactly what your apprehensions are. This is the first step to thinking clearly rather than fogging and bombarding your mind with negative thoughts of failure and frustration. Once you’re able to come to a conclusion regarding the list of things you must take care of, there’s a higher chance of success when it comes to making a decision on what you need to do next. After that’s done, move on to step two.
Find someone to talk to?
Leaving a stable and comfortable job is a huge gamble. More often than not the post you currently have takes care of your finances, but doesn’t offer you the sense of satisfaction and fulfilment you first thought it would. In such a case, it’s only fair to have all sorts of worries about how you’re going to handle your life. Our suggestion would be to discuss this with a trusted group of people.
Give a call to your parents, or meet up with your counsellor. Try consulting the friends that have your best interest at heart or even consider sitting down with an employee who’s doing the same job as you. As long as you have someone that can help you weigh the pros and cons of your decision while also laying a foundation of the things you can expect to face in the near future, your action plan will be easier to make and execute.
At the end of the day, we humans come with a variety of memories and experiences. Something that you missed out on, someone else might catch and refine for you. That’s the only reason behind discussing your plan forward with a trustworthy individual in your life. Chances are that they’ll offer you with a plethora of fresh perspectives that you can consider before making a final choice.
Figure out your priorities and create a plan
Now that you know whether the decision to leave your job is a suitable one or not, start thinking about what you expect from your next project. Grab yourself a coffee, sit on your desk, and take some time out to jot down your expectations from the profession and/or occupation you’re going to apply for. This has two key benefits.
One, you’ll know exactly which companies, groups, and organisations cater to your interests. The application process will therefore expedite and in no time, should you be able to land yourself a new job. Two, the number of times you’re going to leave a certain post will drastically reduce because you’ll have your expectations and priorities straight. No longer will you apply for jobs that do not suit your likings and skill-set, which in a way will directly help you become more stable, secure, and steady in your professional life.
Create a step-by-step plan as to how you’re going to tackle this new venture. For instance: Make a list of the experiences you need to add to your resume, research for websites that can link you to the corporations of your interest, figure out a schedule to line-up and attend interviews, etc. Not only will this help you be more organised, but it’ll reduce the stress and overload of information during the whole application process.
Look for other job prospects before your term ends
Only in extreme cases would it be feasible to resign from your current job and then sit down to look for something that aligns with your taste and vision. It’s better to work till the end of your present term and simultaneously keep an eye out for other projects that you’d like to undertake. Not only will this enable you to receive your daily/weekly/monthly/annual salary as mentioned in your contract, but it will also ensure that you don’t have idle time to waste. If you’re able to do both things in tandem, the probability of you shifting jobs without incurring any losses are higher.
Another advantage of employing this strategy is a smooth resignation process. Since the job you’re doing currently is one that you’ve been loyal and comfortable with for a long time now, you’d want to resign without any bad blood or conflicts. You can prepare your team, head, and boss beforehand and have them execute the arrangements smoothly. Not only does this reflect your level of professionalism and ethics, but it can also score you a letter of recommendation that you can add in your resume as evidence for good work.
Thus, be as diplomatic as you can.
Figure out your financial situation before you quit
As much as we like to take the high road and talk about how money isn’t important and happiness isn’t directly proportional to our financial backings in life, we must leave those conversations at the overnight parties we attend with our friends. If you’re practical and sensible, you’ll realise exactly how much of a role our monetary position in society plays in measuring our growth and success.
Thus, before you decide to yell “I quit” right at your boss’s face, go back and analyse if this decision is financially viable for you at present or not. There shouldn’t come a point in your life where you regret leaving a stable job for living like a dime-a-dozen. Be logical- predict your ability to sustain for a certain period of time without fixed funds and extrapolate your probable expenses for the coming months.
Bottom line
It’s very easy to get overwhelmed by how you’re going to live off of your savings, or how your parents and neighbours might react once you quit your job, but as long as you’re following your heart, they will surely come through. Needless to say, it’s imperative for you to weigh the benefits as compared to the shortcomings of your decision before making it. Handle the workspace with kindness, diplomacy, and passion and you’ll be unstoppable. Here’s hoping you got the professional help you were looking for!
