Ultimate Guide on How to Keep Working When You Already Feel Like Quitting

By Moon Harper | Jan 08, 2024 07:15 AM EST

TEXT SIZE    

Constantly wanting to quit a job may be caused by various reasons, such as a shift in priorities, growth stagnation, or the work environment no longer suits you. It's widespread to have chosen to leave, but you're not ready to move.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, four million Americans resigned in July 2021 due to the issues in workplaces and the mental health challenges that came with the Great Resignation.

Why Do I Always Want to Quit My Job?

Employees often consider quitting due to feeling stuck or disempowered. Uncertainty about their career path or a desire for a change in profession may also contribute to this inclination.

Lack of Job Satisfaction

If you're unhappy or unfulfilled in your current position, you might constantly be itching for a change.

Limited Growth Opportunities

If you perceive a lack of opportunities for professional development and advancement, it can lead to frustration and a desire to explore new possibilities.

Unsuitable Work Environment

A desire to quit can be influenced by an unfavorable work environment, which a toxic culture, challenging coworkers, or inadequate management can bring on.

Mismatched Priorities

Your current job may seem out of line with your life goals due to shifts in your priorities or values, which could lead to thoughts of leaving.

Burnout and Overwhelm

Burnout, excessive workloads, and ongoing stress can make a job seem intolerable and strongly motivate someone to leave for their mental health.

Can I Quit My Job Due to Stress?

Determining whether stress stems from external factors like a toxic work environment or internal factors like self-doubt is critical if you consider quitting your job. If the stress is linked to tasks that don't align with your skills and passions, propose solutions like task modification, shifting responsibilities, or collaborating with colleagues. Being open to collaborative partnerships can be valuable in navigating workplace challenges.

READ ALSO: Unveiling the Workplace Burnout: "It's Not Me, It's You" -Addressing the Root Causes

What to Do if You Constantly Feel Like Quitting Your Job?

The initial step is understanding why you decide if you feel like quitting your job. Success involves effectively interacting with colleagues, customers, and management to fulfill tasks and contribute value, much like attending classes. Persisting issues in this regard may likely recur in another job, highlighting the importance of resolving them before quitting.

Design Goals, Not Chores

Clearly defined goals are crucial for success, as research indicates. Specific targets, like aiming to acquire ten new customers monthly or walking 10,000 steps daily, are more effective than vague aspirations such as "doing your best." Therefore, a fundamental guideline is to make your objectives specific and tangible.

Find Effective Rewards

For challenging tasks or phases of your career, setting external rewards for short-to-medium-term motivation can be beneficial, aligning with any incentives from your organization. For example, you could plan a vacation upon project completion or treat yourself to a gift for achieving weight loss goals.

Sustain Progress

People often experience a burst of motivation early on when pursuing a goal, followed by a slump in the middle where progress may stall. To combat this pattern, breaking down the goal into smaller subgoals, such as weekly sales targets instead of quarterly, can help minimize the chances of succumbing to the mid-goal slump.

Harness the Influence of Others

Humans are social beings influenced by the actions of those around them. Observing a high-performing colleague can have different effects on motivation. To leverage positive social influence, it's essential to recognize that the most motivating individuals may not be those excelling in specific tasks. Instead, they share a broader goal with you, such as close friends, family, or mentors. Keeping these individuals in mind and striving for success on their behalf can provide strong intrinsic incentives to achieve your goals.

RELATED ARTICLE: Physically Present but Not Engaged? Here's What You Should Know about "Resenteeism"

pre post  |  next post
More Sections