Thoughts on Quitting
I've been thinking a lot lately about quitting my job outright, without anything lined up. I have a number of reasons behind wanting to do this, hygiene factors are a big part of this recurring daydream but what it comes down to is that I don't think this is the place in the world where I can add the most value. What it boils down to is my job admittedly is a poor fit for me. Im WAY too much of a cynic and a low level misanthrope for this line of work.
But honestly, I'm too much of a pussy and probably won't go through with straight up quitting, but the thought of being all "peace fuckers" sustains me through the long work days. I am still actively looking for other jobs, and hopefully in a perfect world will make a smooth transition to a greener pasture or at least one with less patches of dead grass. But life is a bitch and you never know what's going to hit you. Maybe ill walk into the office tomorrow and be fired on the spot. Maybe things will turn a corner and I'll start making it rain (doubtful). I don't know. I have enough money saved up to last me a while so it wouldn't be as much of a hit if I do make the decision (this thought has been kicking around in my head for a year or so).
Judging from the number of comments on the "quit early quit often" thread, the speech has made an impact on the minds of my fellow chimps, but really now, has anyone actually done this before? What were your reasons? Was there a final line that had been crossed by your employer? How did you plan your escape?
Quit early and quit often applies when you are leveraging your current job or other offers against one another to get more money.
If you really have the stones, man up and become an entrepreneur. Don't quit your job yet though. You need to have a good sense of where your potential business is heading before you quit your job.
What do you mean by hygiene factors?
ok, we can't bitch about new people not searching the forums if you guys can't google shit you don't know:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=hygiene+factors
Sounds like you might be under serious stress and questioning the "purpose of it all." WSO tends to be highly introspective and philosophical - this is all well and good, but make no mistake about it - quitting your job with nothing lined up is insane in 95%, of circumstances...and yours seems to fall within the 95%. Sounds like you just loathe your job and want to do something else. If that something else is a competitive front office career, you're going to want to be EMPLOYED during the interview process. Based on the little info you've provided, there's probably not going to be a positive way to spin your unemployment.
Unless there's something truly extenuating, and there's not based on the zero info you've provided, then stick it out. Stay employed while you search for something else. Unemployment is painful as fuck, trust me. That applies 10 fold if you're in a competitive front office industry.
Wow, don't ask a question unless you've researched every other source eh?
Don't quit your job because because of :
"Im WAY too much of a cynic and a low level misanthrope for this line of work"
Additionally, I suggest you change your attitude in regards to your misanthropism, I think you may find the world to be a much better place once you work through some of your cynicism. I'm somewhat of a cynic myself, so I understand your viewpoint, however there IS good in this world, enough to lift the spirits of even the most cynical of us.
Ha fair enough WMS but I had no idea on that either, I figured hygiene factors meant his boss smells like curry and doesn't bathe or something along those lines
The 13 Approaches to Quitting Your Job (Without Burning Bridges)
Unless you're off to start something on your own - which could be a possibility (don't know - so who knows), don't quit but keep searching.
In this market - it's easier to find a new job while having a job. Nobody likes quitters - especially in this job market. If it takes you time to find a new gig and you land an interview, you're going to explain the gap in your professional timeline. Saying "It wasn't for me, I'm a cynic" - just won't cut it. Also, they'll see right through you if you're bs'in them. Don't give them a reason to question.
If you're really sick of it and just can't take it and if you're looking to enter another part of the industry or whatever the case, line up some part-time courses and seminars that show your interest in that field, then quit. You can say your interest was in xyz and you wanted to take some time learning as much as you could relating to that and your current job wasn't giving you that opportunity (via work experience or time). At least this way you don't look like you quit because you hated the place and shows some balls.
It's easy to say quit early and quit often if you have a supportive network behind you. If you're not in that position - network your ass off (connect with alums via LinkedIn or however, ask to meet up for coffee - nothing more) and start getting your name out there. Things will turn - they always do.
Keep your head up - many of us have been down this road before, but utilize logic over your emotional cues. FYI - there is always that small group of people who are the exception - they quit, reflect on life - find what they're looking for and shoot for the stars - with success, but failures along the way. Try and find out if you're this type of person instead of going around the wheel over and over again.
"Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." - VW
You sound miserable.
"adding value" is a bad reason to do any job or to make any career or life choice. "Adding Value" is a meaningless concept unless you define it and even then it tends not to matter much.
I have two questions that might help you focus your energy: - Can you afford to quit your job? - Do you know what you want to do and what is required?
i.e. can you live well for 6-9 months without work while you pursue other goals (another job, teaching maths to poor kids, going on tour with your band, scaling Everest, etc...)?
don't quit. just tolerate your current job while actively seeking new opportunities. how to tolerate? well, passively take orders as if you are a machine, no feelings, no emotions involved whatsoever, not even when they say they want to f*ck your gf. you are there to work and get cash, that's it.
at the meantime, proactively network and send out resumes to end your misery.
Find something first, man. If you are like me, you'll go crazy after a month if you don't find another job immediately.
After 2 years on the sell side. A headhunter will contact you and bridge you to the magical buy side.
I lol'd
Quit often...Quit Early
http://www.stockkevin.com/2012/06/prof-deepak-malhotra-hbs-2012-speech-…
Don't tolerate it. Don't stick it out while you search for another job. Pick it up and quit. You'll feel elated, then shitty, and then probably bored. You'll probably be piss scared the whole time. I haven't yet been in a job I hated but reading success stories, I realized how many of those people left themselves with no alternatives and dived headfirst into their dreams. At this point, every day will just be another excuse for why you should stick it out a little longer. Get that last bonus or promotion, a little more money in the bank, a better contingency plan.
This isn't the hunger games. The odds are not "always in your favor." Statistically, you're more likely to fail than succeed doing what I advise. However, having a job you hate and hating your life seems to be a much bigger failure than taking a risk at doing something you love and failing there. Remember what Steve Jobs said:
"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something...almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose."
And if you feel truly shitty, read this website from time to time: http://makesmethink.com/ . It reminds me of all the good in the world and that no matter how shitty my situation ever gets, there are people that have come back from worse.
Good luck buddy.
It has no basis in reality, but its how the system works.
Wednesday was my last day as a 2nd yr associate at a buyside M&A firm. Aug 1 I am moving to NYC to join a startup. Haven't looked back... ask me again in 6mths though.
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