Most working professionals fear one thing: being fired. Typical reasons for being fired center on downsizing, restructuring, market changes, personal conflicts and more. However, when should one consider firing themself? That’s right, themself. Sound strange? Perhaps. Examine each of these five reasons and see if any or all apply to you.
1. You’ve lost the passion. The late Apple founder Steve Jobs said…
” The only way to do great work is to love what you do”.
If you no longer have any passion left for your chosen career your quality of work will suffer. Our passion for our chosen profession is our wellspring of energy, ideas and enthusiasm and should be guarded closely.
2. You talk about quitting. If you find yourself regularly telling your spouse or close friends you’re thinking about quitting or should be quitting, stop. Take inventory of your statement and ask the question ‘why am I seriously considering leaving?’. Write down the reasons you want to quit. Then look at your list and right down next to each what you can or cannot do to address each. If your list presents no possible solutions it may be time to move on.
3. You know you’ve settled for less. If you have that nagging feeling that your present job is well below your potential and talents you have some decisions to make. Can you move into another position more well suited for your talents? Can you find ways to improve your value within your current position? Are you settling and only staying for the company health benefits or 401(k) plan? Staying for benefits alone is a poor reason to keep working for a company. Remember you can find similar benefits for you and your family at another job that you are passionate about.
4. Your job doesn’t fit your long term goals. Look at your personal and financial long-term goals and see if your present job aligns with them. If your job will never afford you the income to retire by age 70 for example you may want to find a better paying job that you still have passion for. If you are seeking independence or self-employment, each month you continue working for your company pushes your realized goal further down the road. Know your goals first and then see if your job is in alignment.
5. You are convinced you can no longer add value to the company. If you are fully convinced you can no longer add value to the company it is time to fire yourself. Quit, leave, resign. If you don’t your employer will eventually see that you are no longer adding value to the company and save you the trouble of firing yourself. Be honest with yourself and give your company the opportunity to fill the position with someone who will help them grow and yourself the opportunity to improve your professional and financial situation.
These are just a few reasons you may want to fire yourself. Also each of these reasons may give you the opportunity to retool, expand and improve your professional situation. **If you have a 401(k) from a company you’ve left or you will need to move one in the future contact Rob today for a free no-obligation consultation.