You don’t need a dramatic exit story to justify the urge to leave your job. Sometimes, it’s subtler than that—an exhaustion you can’t quite shake, a vague sense that you’ve outgrown your title, or that tight feeling in your chest that shows up every Sunday night.
And while quitting might be the answer, the reality is that our jobs are rarely just jobs. They intersect with our identities, values, financial stability, relationships, and even our mental health. Which means leaving can be liberating—but it can also be complicated.
Before you send that “we need to talk” email to your manager or start mentally drafting your resignation letter in the middle of a Monday meeting, pause. Let’s pull back for a moment—not to second-guess your instincts, but to sharpen them.
These seven questions are designed to help you clarify your decision before you leap. Because clarity, not urgency, should be the thing guiding your next move.
The difference matters. A lot. Running from something usually comes from burnout, toxic leadership, boredom, or just straight-up exhaustion. The issue is, if you don’t name what’s wrong, you risk recreating the same problems at your next job—just with a different logo.
On the other hand, running toward something is rooted in clarity. Maybe it’s a new opportunity, an aligned mission, or the chance to grow in a direction your current role simply doesn’t support. These decisions are proactive, not reactive—and they tend to lead to longer-lasting satisfaction.
Before you jump ship, try to articulate exactly what you're leaving—and what you're hoping to find instead.
Not every problem at work is fixable, and not every employer is open to change. But sometimes, we underestimate what’s possible because we assume asking for something will backfire.
Before leaving, ask yourself honestly: Have I made a clear request?
Have you asked for:
Sometimes the right conversation can change the dynamics. Other times, it reveals what won’t change—and that’s information, too.
This isn’t about staying in bad situations. It’s about giving yourself the chance to speak up before stepping out.
Smart Move: If the idea of having that conversation makes you queasy, ask yourself: is it fear… or is it because I already know the answer and don’t want to hear it out loud?
The definition of success isn’t fixed. It shifts with our seasons, priorities, health, and even relationships. If you’re feeling out of sync with your job, it might be less about your work—and more about a success metric that’s outdated.
Are you still chasing a version of your career that made sense five years ago? Or are you ready to define success on your own terms?
For one person, success may look like upward mobility and a seat at the leadership table. For someone else, it could be flexible hours and the freedom to log off at 4 PM without guilt. Neither is more valid than the other—but knowing what’s right for you right now is key to making a clear, confident decision.
The emotional weight of quitting can’t be overstated. It’s not just the logistics—it’s the identity shift. People will ask why. You may question your own decision. There may be a gap before you land your next role, and even if it’s short, that uncertainty is real.
And then there’s the financial piece.
Before quitting, assess:
Planning ahead doesn’t mean you have to delay your exit—it just means you can leave on your terms, not in a panic.
Smart Move: Consider setting a “soft quit” date—3 months out. Use the time to update your resume, discreetly explore new roles, and rebuild your energy. Even if you leave earlier, you’ll do it with more agency.
This is where things get uncomfortable—but also illuminating.
If you’ve jumped roles every year and still find yourself feeling bored, underutilized, or frustrated after six months, it might be time to look inward. Not to place blame—but to identify patterns that might be following you from job to job.
Ask yourself:
These are patterns worth noticing, because your next job won’t fix what’s unexamined. A great manager can support your growth, but no job can do your inner work for you. This is your opportunity to interrupt the cycle and get curious about what you really need—not just from a job, but from yourself.
Let’s break it down.
Knowing which layer is causing friction is crucial. Otherwise, it’s easy to throw the whole thing out—when a more tailored change might be the better move.
A marketing coordinator who hates being in a toxic agency might thrive in an in-house brand role. A burnt-out nurse might still love patient care—but need to shift into advocacy or education. The nuance matters.
Smart Move: Try informational interviews with people doing similar work at different companies—or in adjacent fields. Sometimes the grass is greener… but sometimes it's just that your lawn needs different soil.
Here’s a question most people forget to ask.
What if—just what if—there’s a version of this job that could work? What would it look like? Is it more flexibility? A role shift? A new manager? More creative work? Less client-facing time?
Sometimes, defining what would make staying worthwhile gives you a surprise dose of clarity. You might realize, “actually, this job could work if I had X.” Then you can ask for it—or decide it’s not on the table and move on with confidence.
And sometimes, you realize nothing could make it worth staying. And that’s clarity, too.
There’s power in leaving—but there’s even more power in knowing why you’re leaving.
The questions above aren’t about talking yourself out of quitting. They’re about helping you quit with intention—not regret. The more you understand your own patterns, priorities, and practical needs, the more likely you are to land in a role that actually supports your life—not just your LinkedIn profile.
And if your answers tell you it’s time to go? Trust that, too. Just give yourself the space to leave well—on your terms, with your integrity intact, and your next step grounded in something deeper than frustration.
Because here’s the truth: your career will have many chapters. You don’t need to cling to one that no longer fits. But you do deserve to turn the page with clarity, not chaos.
