How to know when it’s time to quit your job

Nearly 70% of the workforce is disengaged. That means that either the organization is not providing the things employees need in order to feel engaged, or employees are not clear of their abilities and interests and have aligned themselves to the wrong job or organization.

What happens when the best employees don’t feel engaged? They leave. January 31 is the most popular day to turn in your letter of resignation. Are you going to be one of them?

There are many reasons why you could choose to leave your job. It could be because you realize that your current role or organization isn’t providing what you need to reach your goals.

It could be that you see others making changes and improvements to their work and lives and you want to be part of it. Or it could be that you just feel it’s time for a change.

With a new year, it is time for reflection. Before you jump ship, challenge yourself to gather as much information about your current role as you can.

Get clear about what you want and where you are so you can decide to stay and amp up your performance, or intentionally look for a new opportunity that provides more of what your current organization does not.

Here are some questions to help you determine if it’s time to quit your job and find a new one.

Does your job help you:

• Feel valuable, appreciated, important and part of a team?
• Feel like you do work that matters, that you are making a difference?
• Feel like you are constantly developing new and meaningful skills?
• Feel like you are developing as a person, more aware of your abilities and your potential?
• Feel like there is a clear path for your growth in your current organization?
• Feel like you trust your leaders and the direction of the organization?

Many people believe the grass is greener elsewhere, but before you jump to this conclusion, assess your current organization for what is working or not working for you. Give yourself the time to gather this information so you can better define what you need and want in your days to feel engaged and contributing in a way that matters.

The truth is that now is a great time to look for a new position since most areas of the country have a talent shortage. But just because others are hiring, doesn’t mean their jobs or their organizations are a good fit for you.

Clarity about what you want from your work ensures you don’t take another job that leads you to the same need-to-move-on feeling.

So do a review of how your job and organization fits you. Because you spend so much of your time at work, your job needs to be more than a means to pay your bills – it should help you feel valued and provide personal and professional development.

If it doesn’t, find an organization that will. More and more organizations are working on becoming exceptional workplaces to attract and keep people just like you.

So, is it time to quit your job and find one that gives you more of what you need and want?