When is it Time to Leave Your Job?

Since the pandemic, we have seen an increase in new small businesses and people choosing to use their time to create generational wealth. However, this is not to say that many people do not have fears about leaving their current jobs and starting somewhere new. Will the new job be worse than my current one? Will they view me as a valuable employee? Will I have to work my way up the ranks again? Will I establish new supportive relationships with my professional team? These questions have popped up for many people as they ponder whether they should leave a job. Here are a few things to consider when determining when to leave a job:

1. Can you show up to work as your authentic self?

DEI, short for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, are three letters that we hear often in many workplaces and in discussions around how to improve work environments. However, some employers have made the unfortunate assumption that this stops at hiring. Having a diverse staff does not mean that the work environment is inclusive. It means that the company has taken the first step to make things better. Feeling included and valued goes far beyond employment. Think about whether you feel valued, heard, welcomed, and supported at your current job.

2. Are you worth more than the maximum 3% increase in salary they offered?

Most companies assess employees’ work performance annually, which determines whether they will get a 1%, 2%, or 3% raise. This means that if you are never promoted to a higher position within a company that offers a higher salary, you are committing yourself to small incremental raises that may never make up for inflation. What some people have discovered is that they can leave a company to work in a similar position and make significantly more money than the small raise their original company offered. Have you ever wondered how that new person on your team came in at a higher salary than you? Well, this is one of the many reasons why. My advice: Never get comfortable! Your job is not home.

3. Does the agency align with your overall morals and values?

There is nothing worse than going to a job every day knowing that the company itself does not stand for similar morals and values. If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. Whether this is regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion or the types of decisions your company makes without your input, think about what you want to be remembered for. Think about how you would like to make a difference in the world and what legacy you want to leave.

4. Does the agency take your needs into consideration when making decisions?

Needs are a necessity. Needs are the things that you cannot live without such as sleep and food. If you are being asked to forego lunch, breaks, and to work late often, it is time to think about your next move. Period!

5. Are you still finding enjoyment in your work?

Most people spend on average 40 hours at their places of employment, which means that a good number of people spend more awake time with the people they work with than with their family and friends. If you are giving much of your time to a job, some enjoyment is necessary to live emotionally well.

6. Do you have dreams and aspirations of going full-time with your own business and can you maintain your lifestyle without your current job?

Generational wealth is important to every family. Most families think about what they can leave behind for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in order to make life more comfortable for them. This is often initiated by starting some form of business that is able to be passed down to future generations. If you have a good handle on your finances, have been able to create a 6–12-month emergency fund, and have paid off a good portion of your debt, it may be time for you to determine how to go full-time with your own business. Time is arguably the most valuable thing in the world. If you can spend 40 hours per week pouring into your own business, imagine where your business could be next year, in 10 years, in 20 years, in 50 years, or even in a century. That is generational wealth.

7. Does your job allow you to have a healthy work-life balance?

The majority of people’s lives are spent working. Life, simply put, is short. If you are asking for time off work, take note of how your employer responds. Is it “go ahead, you deserve the time” or “I’ll approve it next month?” Taking time off of work to spend with family and friends, or simply to take care of yourself is important. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

Of course, leaving a job comes with many adjustments, especially if you have dependents that rely on you to meet their needs. However, do not fret. Plan your next move. This may mean spending additional time budgeting and discovering ways to save, invest, and reduce expenses. If you have not looked at your financial situation in the past 30 days, this is a sign to do it now. You are deserving of financial freedom and your family is deserving of generational wealth. We all can begin this journey today, simply by adjusting our financial habits.