You know that impulse you get during a stressful workday to just quit? Maybe your supervisor gave you a last-minute task and you've had it. You ask yourself, "What if I quit?" It's normal to experience good and bad days but if you're having these thoughts frequently, I've got a hard truth for you: running away may not give you the satisfaction you crave.
While I do believe there are truly toxic work environments or employers underpaying their employees, oftentimes feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin stems from a lack of boundaries set up in your life to keep you feeling balanced, not the workplace itself.
Let's think about a hypothetical scenario: Imagine you do quit and begin work at the first job you can find. That new position may provide temporary relief or a momentary spark of adrenaline but what happens when the dust settles? Are your habits outside of work serving you?
Oftentimes, a new job or a vacation act as a bandaid - a quick-fix if you will. When greater mental, emotional, or physical health problems persist, eventually they catch up with us - with or without a new job. So, ask yourself these questions next time you contemplate quitting:
Is the new job going to help you adjust your diet and workout routine?
Is leaving your job going to cure your health ailments or adjust your current mindset?
Does a new position address the other challenges occurring in your life?
Some of these questions are playfully rhetorical. My point is, you have the power to nourish yourself through a more balanced diet, a consistent movement routine, and a regular sleep schedule. Once you address these key parts of your life, then reevaluate your work situation.
I can promise you that while momentarily alluring, a new job is not going to fix everything. At some point, all that baggage you left from the last job will follow you into the next. So, don't just quit. Make the decision to do something differently.
Curious about how to start making lasting changes for your well-being? Reach out and we can come up with a personalized plan together.
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