I feel like quitting my job everyday (things you should do)

Spread the word

If you’ve found yourself saying, “I feel like quitting my job everyday,” you are not alone. As someone who has been there many times and coached clients who feel the same, I understand the feeling. Whether you’re in a new job, or a new position with your current employer, having this feeling can take a toll on your mental health and physical health. This is why I decided to write an article specifically addressing the, “I feel like quitting my job everyday” dilemma. 

Feeling like quitting your job every day can be both a challenging and alarming experience. It can also bring up feelings of guilt. After all, we’re taught to appreciate simply “having a job.” While there can be appreciation, there is also room for recognizing when something is no longer a good fit. At the end of the day, I want you to remember, two things can be true at once. You can be grateful to have a job while also realizing that you need more and do not deserve to feel like quitting your job every day. 

In this article, we’re going to go on a journey of diving deeper into the “why” behind your “I feel like quitting my job everyday,” vibe. I want to help you avoid making impulsive decisions, uncover the root cause, and explore and address what changes you need to make in order to find a better fit. 

We will also talk about all of the reasons behind the daily urge to quit your job, discuss the potential consequences of acting on it, and provide actionable tips and advice to help you find fulfillment, success, and a renewed sense of purpose in your career. We’ll briefly touch on some of the warning signs of burnout and also ways to determine how to find the right fit at your current company or next job. 

I strongly believe that you deserve to be happy, satisfied, and inspired by the work that you do on a daily basis. After all, we spend most of our time at work, so shouldn’t you be happy at work? I definitely believe so, and I want you too as well!

Disclaimer

If you have the “I feel like quitting my job everyday” in your current position, ask yourself if you are feeling like this due to being in a toxic work environment. Toxic work environments have the power to drain you mentally, emotionally, and physically. You deserve better. I always say, there is no good reason to stay in a toxic environment for a long time (or any time at all!).  If you’re wondering what the signs of a toxic work environment are, please check out the following articles. 

If you are more of a visual person, please make sure to check out my docuseries, Exposed- Toxic Workplace Stories from across the globe. This docuseries highlights the lessons learned, experiences, and triumphs of toxic workplace survivors. Watch it for free by clicking the link below. 

Now it’s time to dive into the reasons you may feel like quitting your job every day. 

Step 1- Understanding the reasons

Before placing the blame on your employer or the job itself, it is always helpful to do some inner work. The more you understand yourself (including your goals, dreams, and desires) the easier it is to come to conclusions that satisfy you long-term. Below are the top 3 ways to determine the “why” you feel like quitting your job every day.

Identify the Dissatisfaction: 

Take a piece of paper and write an answer to the following questions regarding your job. 

What do I dislike about my job?

How long have I had this feeling?

Did this feeling start with a new manager, project, or company shift?

Have I mastered my job? Am I bored?

Am I living paycheck to paycheck? Or am I making enough to be satisfied?

Do I have the type of work/life balance that I want?

Does my company mission/vision represent my personal values or goals?

Do I have a positive relationship with my supervisor?

Do I get along with my colleagues?

Did I get a new boss recently? Do I get along with them?

Your goal is to explore the aspects of your job that contribute to the feeling of wanting to quit your job every day. The questions above are intended to make you reflect on your level of job satisfaction, work-life balance, relationships with colleagues and superiors, personal growth opportunities, and alignment with your values and goals.

As you answer these questions, you’ll begin to identify when this occurred and what is triggering your desire to quit your job. The same questions will also allow you to uncover core issues related to the environment and your personal life. 

Step 2- Uncovering core issues

It’s time to dive deeper into the root cause of your dissatisfaction. Instead of looking at the day-to-day duties, let’s talk about what’s happening within the environment and in your personal life. Below are a few questions to help you uncover some core issues. 

Had there been a minor or major disruption in my personal life?

What is contributing to my stress levels outside of work?

Did I recently take on a new project or responsibility outside of work?

Is my work environment healthy (mentally and emotionally)? 

How is the company culture overall?

Has the organization gone through a leadership shift? Do I agree with the new direction?

Can I see myself being with this company or in this role for the long run? 

What do I want my life to look like next year?

Has there been a red flag in my current work situation or role?

Realizing it’s time for a change is a big decision to make. This is why answering these questions is key. They are a great way to get started with understanding yourself more. 

When you answer these questions, they will begin to help you develop a deeper understanding of the underlying issues. Being honest and recognizing your core issues will help you develop targeted solutions.

Step 3- Assessing Burnout

Another culprit of having the desire to quit your job is burnout. Burnout is one of those things that can sneak up on you if you don’t pay attention to the signs. 

If you’ve been feeling stressed, cynic, nonchalant, or have unexplained levels of exhaustion, you may be burnt out. Also, think about the last time you took personal time off. If it has been a while, that can definitely contribute to feelings of burnout. 

Now that you have a better idea of what is contributing to your “I feel like quitting my job everyday,” let’s talk about the actions you can take. I’m an advocate for finding better opportunities, especially if you’re unhappy and thinking about quitting your job. Before turning in your resignation, you’ll want to weigh the pros, and cons, and think about the potential consequences. 

Step 4- Weighing the consequences

Quitting your job is a big deal. If you’re like most professionals, it is your primary source of income and for many, the primary source of major activity. There are many consequences that can take place if you decide to quit your job without a plan. Let’s talk about them.

Financial Implications- You have bills to pay and commitments. If you’re like most professionals, you are working hard every day to make ends meet. So how will quitting abruptly or without a backup plan impact your life? 

If you truly can’t take it anymore, please consider reevaluating your current financial standing. Consider the financial impact of quitting your job without a backup plan. Evaluate your savings, monthly expenses, and the feasibility of supporting yourself during the transition. You’ll also want to think about how to handle health insurance, student loans, and outstanding debt if you decide to quit. If you can, begin saving extra money and consider starting a side hustle or taking a part-time job to help you with the transition. 

Career Setbacks- Will there be potential setbacks quitting may have on your professional trajectory? Think about your career level and industry. Consider how it may affect your long-term goals, professional development, and opportunities for advancement.

Impact on Professional Reputation- The reality is, leaving a job suddenly may impact your professional reputation. Before quitting, ask yourself whether or not you’re going to remain within the industry if you’ll need a reference from them, or if you will want to return. 

If the environment isn’t toxic and you’ve built a positive reputation with your supervisor and the company, consider a more intentional leave strategy. You will want to leave on a positive note and leave the door open for additional opportunities. Consider providing a 2 or 3-week notice and working with your supervisor to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

Strategies for overcoming the urge

Whether you’ve made the decision to leave or stay, there are still some strategies that you will want to implement now and in the future. These strategies will help you overcome any obstacles or challenges that you will encounter throughout your journey. 

Seek Support

Have you ever heard the phrase, “your network is your net worth?” Having a stable and reliable network will provide you with support, guidance, encouragement, and opportunities during your career and job search. Whenever you’re having the “I feel like quitting my job everyday” attitude, your network can be the key to growth and moving forward.  

Having a supportive network will allow you to discuss your concerns and seek their guidance and perspectives. You can even consider finding a career coach or counselor who can provide expert guidance tailored to your situation. If you’re currently in the market for a career coach, I’d love to work with you, schedule a consultation with me by clicking here. 

Your network can individuals, such as friends, family, mentors, connections on social media, or professional groups in your community.

Develop Resilience

Your career will be filled with ups and downs. That’s just the way life is. You CAN and are more than capable of overcoming any obstacle that comes your way. Focus on building a positive growth mindset and building resilience to cope with workplace challenges. I highly recommend practicing stress management techniques, which can include things like meditating, journaling, and working out.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re prioritizing self-care, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment outside of work. Your support system should also include people that enjoy some of the same self-care activities. This will make it easier to participate in things that you enjoy (yay for accountability partners!). 

Open Communication

Honesty and transparency will not only help you build stronger relationships with your colleagues and supervisor, it will also provide others with the opportunity to meet your needs. You can start by initiating honest and constructive conversations with your manager or human resources department. 

Make sure to express your concerns with your role, provide potential solutions, and seek support in finding ways to improve your job satisfaction. If you have a good supervisor and a solid company, they will often try to find ways to work with you and retain you. 

To get started, consider requesting a meeting to discuss your career goals and explore opportunities for growth within the company. You never know what possibilities will come from the discussion. As always, I recommend exploring other opportunities at the same time, just in case the conversation doesn’t go as planned. 

Explore Growth Opportunities

You may feel like quitting your job every day due to the lack of growth and new learning opportunities. You have the power to create your own opportunities, so try that! Investigate internal training programs, professional development courses, or lateral moves within your organization. Enhancing and increasing your skills and knowledge can bring new challenges and reignite your passion for your job. 

Each year, you should be setting clear goals and creating a professional growth development plan to help you progress in your career. Your supervisor will play a major role in supporting your growth so make sure to discuss your professional goals with them as well. I always recommend using the company’s financial resources to fund your professional desires. After all, the more you grow, the more they grow. 

Find Meaning in Your Work

Have you forgotten the “why” behind your job? If you forget the purpose and meaning behind what you do, it’s easy to feel like quitting your job every day. Try reconnecting with the purpose behind your job. Explore ways to align your work with your values and interests. Identify projects or tasks that bring you a sense of fulfillment and focus on those areas. You can also consider volunteering or participating in initiatives that allow you to make a positive impact through your work.

As humans, we have a strong desire to know that our work matters and that it makes an impact. Rediscovering your meaning can refuel your desire for your job. 

Once you’ve done everything in your power to reignite your passion for your job and it still hasn’t come back, it may be time to start assessing alternatives. 

Assessing Alternatives

Research Other Opportunities- A career change may be a strong possibility. I have often worked with clients who discovered after 10 years that they hate their chosen field. In fact, most of my career coaching clients have successfully changed careers and pursued their childhood dreams! Trust me, you can find a better opportunity. 

This may be the perfect time to do that as well! Take time to explore alternative career paths, industries, or even entrepreneurship. You can start your research by taking a look at current job postings and companies that support initiatives that you care about. 

Network and Connect- Remember the support network we discussed earlier? This is a great time to lean on them. Why? A supportive network can expose you to opportunities to network even more. They can recommend industry events, professional communities for you to join, and online platforms that work in your favor.  Networking can provide you with valuable insights, and connections, and even lead to unexpected career opportunities. Remember, the more people you know, the more you can grow (personally and professionally!). 

Consider Part-Time or Freelance Work- Are you ready to quit, but not yet ready to commit to another full-time job, you can explore the option of transitioning into part-time work or starting a side hustle. This will allow you to maintain some income (and pay your bills!) while exploring other options. Having a side hustle can provide the flexibility, autonomy, and opportunity to work on projects that truly inspire and interest you.

Seek Additional Education or Skill Development- Want to change careers or move up the ladder? You may want to think about pursuing further education or skill development to enhance your qualifications and open up new career possibilities. Be on the lookout for relevant courses, certifications, or workshops that can help you acquire new skills and increase your market value. We are currently in a skills-first job market, so you will want to place a major emphasis on skill development. 

Entrepreneurship and Side Projects- If you are naturally independent, innovative, and a risk taker,  you should explore the possibility of starting your own venture or working on side projects. Entrepreneurship can provide a sense of autonomy, creativity, and the opportunity to shape your own career path.

To be blunt, entrepreneurship isn’t for everybody. It’s not a walk in the park and can take years to see a return on your investment. If you are open and willing to take on the challenge, go for it!

Conclusion

Waking up every morning and thinking, “I feel like quitting my job everyday” can be frustrating, emotionally draining, and confusing. Although challenging, having this thought can present an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By taking the time to understand the reasons behind these feelings, weighing the potential consequences, and implementing strategies to overcome them, you can navigate this period of uncertainty and find fulfillment and success in your career. 

Remember, you are ultimately in control of your career and the outcome. There are times during your career when you become a different person, and that’s ok! The best way to navigate during this time (and throughout your career) is to be intentional about seeking support, developing resilience, communicating openly, and exploring alternative pathways. With intentionality, determination, and a proactive approach, you can transform your current job into a fulfilling experience or find a new path that aligns with your passions and aspirations. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, continually reassess your goals and priorities, and take confident steps toward a career that brings you joy, purpose, and fulfillment.

Most of all, remember, you got this!

Spread the word