The very title of this article sounds crazy on the surface. The unemployment rate is just under 8 percent and the underemployment number is close to 14 percent. In a time of such scarcity of jobs and the overwhelming number of people unemployed, who would even begin to suggest such a thought?
I would. I’m guilty.
Perhaps the pending retirement of Pope Benedict XVI got me thinking in this direction. Or perhaps it’s because I hear from many employed people who are miserable in their jobs. Is it really worth it?
No, I’m not suggesting you quit tomorrow and abandon the security of your paycheck. But I am suggesting you may need to begin moving in that direction. Below are some of the signs that may indicate it’s time for you to quit your job.
- When your job no longer has meaning or purpose.
- When your family is hurting as a result of your job.
- When your job is making you physically or emotionally sick.
- When you’ve outgrown your job, but your employer offers you no opportunity to move forward or advance.
- When your values do not align with the values of your employer.
- When you are hurting your organization rather than helping by attempting to hang on to your job.
- When you can’t keep up with the demands of your job.
- When you discover you are in the wrong seat on the bus (Jim Collins’ terminology for getting into a job that is an ill fit for you and your talents and gifts).
- When it’s time to make room for younger and brighter talent.
- When you can no longer work with your boss or your fellow employees.
- When you are not paid fairly.
- When you just know.
Perhaps you can take some less drastic measures than quitting your job. Maybe your employer is unaware of your issues, and much can be resolved with a healthy conversation. Maybe you’re looking at the glass half empty and fail to see the good qualities of your job. Maybe there are other places in your organization that would be a better fit for you, and you have a boss that is willing to allow you to try a new position.
Or maybe it’s time to quit.
Life is too short to spend thousands of waking hours in misery. Life is too short not to make the maximum contribution with the gifts and abilities God has given us. Life is too short to hold on to a job for the lone reason of a paycheck or retirement benefits.
The time may be right to start proactively looking for another job. Perhaps you can begin something small on the side that could ultimately become a great self-employed job. Maybe the time is right to take that new venture even though it has risks.
The miserable person at the end of her life says she lived a life with little meaning because she wouldn’t make a decision she knows she should have made. The miserable person at the end of his life has regrets because he lived in fear rather than stepping out in faith.
Maybe it’s time to quit your job. The risks may be real. But the rewards can be incalculable.
Wow. This was so for me today. I’ve been wrestling with this issue for a while and only recently taking steps to make the necessary changes (which includes applying for some positions with LifeWay; want to give a good word for a fella?)
Excellent article!
I quit my job a year and a half ago – I fit the first five of your signs clearly. The remaining 7 were inevitable if I were to stay. Leaving took a great amount of courage and there were very real risks, but very seriously – the reward has been incalculable. I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in this place in life to follow your heart and take a leap of faith. When it comes to sink or swim, choose to swim.
Great word Hilary.
Awesome.am not looking back anymore.am quiting immediatelly.
“Life is too short to spend thousands of waking hours in misery. Life is too short not to make the maximum contribution with the gifts and abilities God has given us. Life is too short to hold on to a job for the lone reason of a paycheck or retirement benefits.”
Can’t say it any better than that! Think about it all the time. I will take purpose and progress over a paycheck any day!
Thanks Dean!
That was me but one day, I just decided enough! After another meeting and being made to feel bad about myself yet again, I resigned. Scared? Oh yes. That paycheck kept me enslaved. I had to let go of it. Since then, I found a job that suits my talents and makes me happy. Lots less money but I am working with what has set before me. Life is so much better!
Numbers 4, 5 and 11 are mine for sure, and I’ve applied at a lot of places over the past couple of months, but in this economy, it’s not easy to find work. I know I need to trust God and sometimes take a ‘leap of faith’, but when you’re supporting a family, it’s so hard to do.
Aaron Lindsey- I just want to provide you a bit of encouragement. I had a job a little over 1 year ago that I was so unhappy and miserable with. I began searching and applying all over the place. I would go through spells where I said things like “Isn’t this what God wanted?” “Is it my verbage on my resume?” “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” “Maybe it’s not God’s timing.” “It there something I am suppose to be learning from this God?” …etc. I would have times where I would be diligently seeking, then times where I would stop and try to be content with what God had given me.. ultimately getting frustrated with my position and seeking other employment again. All in all, I am now in the exact job, making more money than before, working with other Christians, and very happy! What did I learn… God has to work and we have to allow Him that time. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts, but sometimes that means He’s got to get things ready for us. Keep your head up. God will supply in His time!!!
Thanks very much for the encouragement!
My prayers for you Aaron.
Good article, but easier said then done especially when one is a pastor. Thanks for the article!
Don -
So true in many jobs.
I’ve been considering and praying about this for a long time, so you can imagine my eyes when I saw the headline. A Supervisor just quit with no other job as a safety net, for the same reasons i’ve been praying about
Thomas -
I just prayed for wisdom for you.
After 31 years of teaching, I decided to retire in Dec. I had given up all outside activities because my job was exhausting and changes were taking up all my time and energy. I asked my husband if I was crazy for giving it up in this economy. He said if you don’t you’re going to go crazy!! I had not realized how much it was affecting our relationship. I am thankful I had his support and I don’t know what God has planned for the next stage of my life, but at least now I am free to do it.
Ann -
You have my prayers as you take this step. And you are blessed to have such a supportive husband.
This article came at this perfect time, or should I say God’s time. This has been something laying heavy on my heart for quite sometime. On top of just knowing it’s time to move on my situation involves a family business, my wife’s family business but family none the less. It magnify’s the difficultly of cutting employment ties. I am currently in college pursuing my passion, English-Lit (I know useless degree (: ) I know the Lord has had it all work out before He named the stars but I still burdens me sometimes. So, thank you for this article and your prays.
Jacob
Jacob -
You indeed have my prayers.
I have had this tugging at my heart for a while and just started a new job in which I am qualified but not content. I feel the job trying to pull me in the direction that is against God’s design for my life and does not employ the talents God has given me or the call upon my life as I feel God would have me do. It is a tough struggle to pay the bills and owe no man anything ,however in is it not God who supply’s all our need according to His riches in glory? Oh for the strength and wisdom to make the right choice and receive God’s blessing upon our labors or labor for that which perishes. Pray for and with me that God’s will be done. As I will for all of you with the same delimma
Thanks for writing this, Dr. Rainer. I really resonate with the sentiment you’ve expressed (and see myself a bit too much in a number of your points).
Thank you Aaron.
Life is too short to be small. – Disreali
I have lost my last three jobs, all of which were making me sick, and very unhappy. I only have two more weeks of unemployment, and then I guess I’m on my own. Scared to not have any benefits, or health insurance, but am trying to trust that God will provide. (My options are self-employment, and/or disability. Or partial disability, and part-time work.) A good article, though. I was too afraid to quit, b/c of losing the pat and the benefits, but ended up losing the job anyway, so I should have quit before I was fired! it will all work out, though. Good post; thank you.
I could say ‘yes’ to most of these listed, but before I could find another job, they fired me. They knew I was looking elsewhere so they hired someone before I could leave. Not comfortable situation to be in, but I do not miss the job, people, or place. I am awaiting another direction from the Lord. Unemployment takes a lot out of a person and reduces them to much doubt and despair, but I am trusting in the Lord for something better. Do not, I say not, tell anyone that you are looking elsewhere. NO ONE CAN BE TRUSTED!
I hear about 85% of Americans would answer yes to a number of the characteristics listed in this article. Thank you for posting this. The great thing about America is you don’t have to suffer through it, there are opportunities to provide for yourself and your family without having those restraints. I like my regular job, but am developing one of those businesses on the side to help others and give my family options.
Thank you Dr. Rainer. Because of this I yelled at my boss and quit my job. Not true, but like so many others most of these points hit home. Very timely, thanks again!
Thanks Brian!
Since there was no way to send this directly to you I had to post it here. I believe only people who know nothing about actually being unemployed & having no marketable skills could post something like the article above. The only people I read about who actually love their job are people who after years of training & much debt are blessed & have earned their chosen position. For all the above listed reasons I still could not leave my job. I was released from my last job & now there are no prospects. Yet no matter what the reason I would never tell anyone leave their job. The very worst day at work is far better than any day unemployed. I am sure you wanted to convey something positive for those who may need this but what is someone like me to do?
Thom,
Your article does drive home the fact that there are many folks who are miserable in their jobs. This is due to a variety of reasons, some self-inflicted and some due to the work culture. I would love to see you address how the leaders who might have perpetuated the miserable environments many people are enduring should change so that it is not such a miserable place for workers. Based on responses to your article and research, the numbers of people miserable in jobs is epidemic. You are in a position to share with other readers how to address the root environmental and cultural causes as well as the exit plan.
Great stuff here. Very pertinent to my family situation. Parents and siblings all live in town and many of us are fed up with our jobs and the overall consumer/material nature of our culture. A lot of “perspective thinking” has been going on, budgets are being cut, jobs reconsidered and the purpose of parenthood evaluated. A couple of us would do well to utilize the list you’ve provided. Thanks for the encouraging word.
Just writing these down, and allowing them to be discussed is huge. Too often in our society we just do what we believe we have to do, which is endure some of what made your list. I think it’s great to have an honest inward reflection as it applies to something Americans spend so much of the lives doing.
Thanks for the good input DS.
I would love to quit my secular job to go into vocational ministry. I have been done with seminary for three years. I have watched three friends ( all younger than I am) get called to churches since January 2013. I have sent out my résumé to 45 different churches/ministries since graduating from seminary. No support or placement assistance from the seminary I graduated from. For now, I will keep working so I can provide for my family. Tough to be motivated to do something that is not your calling..
Wow, looks like i’m not the only one that really felt this article was well timed. Took a new job 6 months ago experiencing 1 & 4 but now am stick in a situation with 3, 7, and 8.
I struggle when it comes to “quitting” something, but when you experience panic attacks twice in the past two weeks perhaps he’s trying to get my attention.
B -
I just prayed that God would give you the wisdom to make the right decision.
As an artist and a writer working in a position that doesn’t allow for ANY creativity, staring at three beige-ish walls in my little cubicle day after day I must admit this is a constant thought. I’ve jokingly asked my husband if I could quit my job and start a blog for the last few years (the answer is always no) and now that I have my blog up and running the desire to do what I LOVE is even greater!
Lanette -
I pray those doors will open for you.
So very timely…I left my job 2 weeks ago to create a new life using the artistic talent God has given me. I’m starting over, and I know it is what I’m supposed to do. The benefits and paycheck I left behind were the reason I was staying, and I knew it was not healthy. I continue to believe my move is God’s plan, and pray for continued good health and favor as I start my new adventure! Thank you for the great article!
My prayers for you JK.
Thanks Thom, I appreciate your prayers! Here’s the link to my blog in case you’re interested in taking a look….http://lanettehaskins.blogspot.com/
Please pray for me that God’s perfect will be done in my life. This is the second time this week I have been confronted with this subject. I know it’s time, but…
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Oh my GOSH! TALK ABOUT CONFIRMATION! Thank you much!