Should you quit your job?
I quit my $100,000 paying job. 5 strategies I wish I knew on how to navigate the career growth journey and know when to move on to the next thing.
👋 Hello! Welcome to this week’s ADPList Newsletter, a weekly advice column. Each Tuesday, we tackle design, building products, and accelerating careers. We’re looking for sponsors; if you’re interested in supporting our newsletter to advertise, let’s chat here.
🔥 Subscriber-Only: ADPList’s Product Day 2023 Early-Bird Tickets are available today.
This year, we're going all in with 60+ iconic speakers from AI, Web3, Product, Design, and Career. And the best part? It’s all taking place virtually over 24 hours on May 10, 2023. Early bird is at $5 this week.
“I quit my $100,000 job.” Here’s 5 signs on when to quit your job and what to consider.
In 2021, I left my job as the first Design Lead at Gotrade, a startup backed by Y Combinator, to start ADPList, the world's largest mentorship platform.
It was a scary decision - I was leaving a stable job with an excellent salary and benefits to pursue a passion project. But I knew I needed to leap, to be happy and fulfilled in my career.
This is a very personal topic, and I hope it helps you. Enjoy 🙏!
Have you ever found yourself feeling unfulfilled in your job? Whatever the reason is, deciding to leave your job can be a difficult and emotional process.
In this week’s newsletter, you can expect to learn: 1) signs to watch when to quit (the 5th is the most common) and 2) things to consider before walking away.
Here’s the list and what you should consider.
1. You're no longer learning or growing
When you first start a job, there's usually a steep learning curve as you adjust to the new company & role. However, if you've stopped learning or growing, it may be a sign that it's time to move on.
Before you quit, consider:
Talk to your manager about opportunities to take on new responsibilities or projects.
Explore training or development opportunities outside of work, such as online courses or attending conferences.
Seek out mentorship or coaching to help you develop new skills and grow in your career.
2. You feel undervalued or unappreciated
Feeling undervalued or unappreciated can be a significant source of stress and dissatisfaction in the workplace. It may be time to consider leaving if you feel like you're not being recognized for your hard work or contributions.
Before you quit, consider:
Have a conversation with your manager about your concerns and discuss ways to improve communication and recognition.
Explore opportunities to work on high-impact projects that showcase your skills and contributions.
Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors to gain a better understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.
3. You don't align with the company's mission
Feeling like your work isn't aligned with your values can be a significant source of frustration and dissatisfaction. If your company's mission or bargains don't align with yours, it may be time to consider moving on.
Before you quit, consider:
Reflect on your personal values and goals to gain clarity on what's important to you.
Explore opportunities to volunteer or get involved with causes that matter to you outside of work.
Consider a career change to a field or industry that aligns more closely with your values and goals.
4. You experience a significant burnout crisis
Burnout is a natural and severe problem, and it's essential to recognize the signs before it's too late. If you're experiencing chronic stress or burnout, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate whether your job contributes to these feelings.
Before you quit, consider:
Prioritize self-care by taking breaks, practicing mindfulness or meditation, or engaging in physical exercise.
Talk to a therapist to gain a better understanding of your stress and learn techniques to manage it.
Explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements or a sabbatical to take a step back and recharge (ask your managers).
5. You've outgrown your current role
As you gain experience and develop new skills, you may have outgrown your current position or company. It may be time to consider a unique opportunity if you feel you're not being challenged or your skills are underutilized.
Before you quit, consider:
Talk to your manager about opportunities for growth or promotion within the company.
Explore opportunities to work on cross-functional projects that allow you to gain new skills.
Consider a career change to a new company that offers more challenging and fulfilling opportunities.
My biggest takeaways from this:
Every reason will have ways to improve before quitting.
If you have tried everything after a month, it’s time to quit.
Quitting is painful, but you’ll be thankful for the next steps. You must have a robust support system for this.
Everyone will deal with it. But, differently, there isn’t one fixed formula.
To execute any of these strategies, it’s essential to identify your most significant pain points.
I hope this newsletter gives you the inspiration to navigate your career and adapt it to your context. If you have additional insights, what else would you add to this list to know when to quit?
🔔 Join this week’s top free masterclass
If you’re serious about upskilling, join the group sessions hosted this week by the world’s best experts in Design, Product Management, Coding, Marketing, and more. Learn alongside your peers and the community.
ADPList gives every person the freedom to grow together - by opening doors to mentors worldwide. Join over 180K+ learners and meet your mentor today. We’re on a mission to give the world the freedom to grow together.
If you find this post valuable, check out our other posts:
If you find this newsletter valuable, share it with a friend, and consider subscribing if you haven’t already.
Written with ❤️
This is a very personal topic, and I hope it helps you. Enjoy 🙏! What else would you add into the list and things to consider? Comment your 2c.
…don’t tell my boss i’m reading this on company time 🫢