Many of us have been in a job that makes us unhappy and the thought, ”I should quit!” has crossed our minds on occasion.
Of course, there are just bad days, which are to be expected and we can put behind us. But there are really are bad jobs, terrible places to work, and awful managers.
For those who really do desperately want to quit, to get away from your horrible workplace, annoying co-workers or abusive managers, we may hesitate to actually do anything about it, because right on the heels of that impulse to get out come a multitude of other thoughts that keep us from resigning.
Each of these excuses may sound like the voice of sanity, offering perfectly good reasons why it is the better, smarter decision to stay and endure that bad job just a little longer, but upon closer examination, these excuses keep us trapped in jobs that slowly but surely wear us down.
Here are 10 of the most common bad excuses for staying in an awful job.
#1 “Things might get better”
That jerk manager might be promoted out of there. That annoying co-worker could quit. That mound of overwork could suddenly disappear.
On the other hand, things might also get worse. Or they might not change at all. If you’ve already done your best to improve your job situation and nothing’s has changed, just waiting around for things to improve by themselves make little sense.
Of course, there are just bad days, which are to be expected and we can put behind us. But there are really are bad jobs, terrible places to work, and awful managers.
For those who really do desperately want to quit, to get away from your horrible workplace, annoying co-workers or abusive managers, we may hesitate to actually do anything about it, because right on the heels of that impulse to get out come a multitude of other thoughts that keep us from resigning.
Each of these excuses may sound like the voice of sanity, offering perfectly good reasons why it is the better, smarter decision to stay and endure that bad job just a little longer, but upon closer examination, these excuses keep us trapped in jobs that slowly but surely wear us down.
Here are 10 of the most common bad excuses for staying in an awful job.
#1 “Things might get better”
That jerk manager might be promoted out of there. That annoying co-worker could quit. That mound of overwork could suddenly disappear.
On the other hand, things might also get worse. Or they might not change at all. If you’ve already done your best to improve your job situation and nothing’s has changed, just waiting around for things to improve by themselves make little sense.
#2 “My boss is such a jerk but if I quit now, he wins.”
Who cares. This is not about winning or losing, this is your life. If a job is tearing you down, it is most definitely time to get out.
#3 “I’m not a quitter.”
No one wants to be a quitter but sometimes, cutting our loses and getting out is the best things we can do. In fact, some very successful people are “quitters”. Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Tiger Woods, Reese Witherspoon, John McEnroe and John Steinbeck all dropped out of Stanford University.
There is a differentiation in quitting. When we quite because something is too hard, or we haven’t given our best effort to make a situation better, that is one thing. But when we have done all we can and the terrible job we are in remains unchanged, it is best to acknowledge that and move on.
The old saying that “Winners never quit and quitters never win” is just plain wrong and leaving a bad job that hasn’t and won’t improve is just common sense.
Who cares. This is not about winning or losing, this is your life. If a job is tearing you down, it is most definitely time to get out.
#3 “I’m not a quitter.”
No one wants to be a quitter but sometimes, cutting our loses and getting out is the best things we can do. In fact, some very successful people are “quitters”. Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Tiger Woods, Reese Witherspoon, John McEnroe and John Steinbeck all dropped out of Stanford University.
There is a differentiation in quitting. When we quite because something is too hard, or we haven’t given our best effort to make a situation better, that is one thing. But when we have done all we can and the terrible job we are in remains unchanged, it is best to acknowledge that and move on.
The old saying that “Winners never quit and quitters never win” is just plain wrong and leaving a bad job that hasn’t and won’t improve is just common sense.
#4 “I’ll never get another job”
Well, not if you stay in your current job while it slowly grinds you down, you won’t! Move on now while you still have some self-confidence, motivation and energy.
#5 “If I quit I’ll lose my salary, status, company car, the recognition of my peers, etc.”
Yes, quitting a job carries a price and that makes it scary. We all know this intimately.
But few of us ask this question: What is the price of staying in a job that makes you unhappy?
That price can be very high. It can ruin your work life but also your marriage, your family life, your health, your self-esteem and your sanity. Not all at once, but a little bit every day.
#6 “Everywhere else is just as bad”
That’s just nonsense. There are plenty of great workplaces in every industry.
#7 “I’ve invested so much in this job already”
You may have sacrificed a lot of time, energy and dignity already in attempts to make things better. This will make it more difficult for you to leave but consider all you’ll be sacrificing if you don’t.
Staying on is just throwing good time after bad.
#8 “I’ll lose my health insurance.”
This benefit can make a significant impact on the decision to stay or go. So, rather than quitting and then having to look for another job, look for a new position with similar health benefits before you take your leave.
Also: Ask yourself what good job related health insurance is if your job is actually making your sick – which bad jobs can absolutely do.
#9 “My job pays very well”
Even if your job provides an excellent salary; if it makes you unhappy it’s not worth it. Money is most definitely NOT everything.
Instead, use that financial security to quit and find a job that makes you happy in ALL aspects.
#10 “Quitting will look bad on my resume”
Whereas staying for years in a job that grinds you down and goes nowhere will look excellent.
Many of us would be much happier with our work life if we quit bad jobs sooner. Many people who have finally left a job they didn’t like wished they’d done it sooner. There aren’t many who quit a terrible position only to wish they’d stayed on longer.
You may have perfectly good reasons to stay in your job. It is worth examining your reasons very closely to make sure that they are valid and it isn't fear that is holding you back.
Article from April 7, 2008 Chief Happiness Officer Blog, written by Alexander.
Well, not if you stay in your current job while it slowly grinds you down, you won’t! Move on now while you still have some self-confidence, motivation and energy.
#5 “If I quit I’ll lose my salary, status, company car, the recognition of my peers, etc.”
Yes, quitting a job carries a price and that makes it scary. We all know this intimately.
But few of us ask this question: What is the price of staying in a job that makes you unhappy?
That price can be very high. It can ruin your work life but also your marriage, your family life, your health, your self-esteem and your sanity. Not all at once, but a little bit every day.
#6 “Everywhere else is just as bad”
That’s just nonsense. There are plenty of great workplaces in every industry.
#7 “I’ve invested so much in this job already”
You may have sacrificed a lot of time, energy and dignity already in attempts to make things better. This will make it more difficult for you to leave but consider all you’ll be sacrificing if you don’t.
Staying on is just throwing good time after bad.
#8 “I’ll lose my health insurance.”
This benefit can make a significant impact on the decision to stay or go. So, rather than quitting and then having to look for another job, look for a new position with similar health benefits before you take your leave.
Also: Ask yourself what good job related health insurance is if your job is actually making your sick – which bad jobs can absolutely do.
#9 “My job pays very well”
Even if your job provides an excellent salary; if it makes you unhappy it’s not worth it. Money is most definitely NOT everything.
Instead, use that financial security to quit and find a job that makes you happy in ALL aspects.
#10 “Quitting will look bad on my resume”
Whereas staying for years in a job that grinds you down and goes nowhere will look excellent.
Many of us would be much happier with our work life if we quit bad jobs sooner. Many people who have finally left a job they didn’t like wished they’d done it sooner. There aren’t many who quit a terrible position only to wish they’d stayed on longer.
You may have perfectly good reasons to stay in your job. It is worth examining your reasons very closely to make sure that they are valid and it isn't fear that is holding you back.
Article from April 7, 2008 Chief Happiness Officer Blog, written by Alexander.
RSS Feed