Are you thinking about resigning? Should you quit your job? Knowing when to leave your job can be challenging since you are tied to a paycheck. Here are twenty-five signs that it's time to quit your job.

You Dread Going To Work Every Day

If you dread going to work every morning or thinking about work makes you anxious, it's a sign that your current job isn't for you. Sure, no job is perfect, but consistent negativity towards your job can seriously affect your mental health.

You're No Longer Growing

You've stopped learning new skills. You feel stagnant in your role. The job may not provide you with any room for growth. You probably outgrew this job.

Personal and professional growth leads to long-term satisfaction for you and your employer. Lack of growth is yet another omen that you may want to quit.

Toxic Work Environment

A toxic work environment adversely affects your mental and physical health. Your workplace may lack support. You may be surrounded by constant negativity.

Workplace toxicity can poison your wellbeing. If you're in a highly toxic workplace, consider finding work elsewhere.

You're Overworked

Being overworked means your workload keeps on piling up. You never get a raise for working as many hours as possible for your employer.

You can only do so many hours in the day. It might not be worth the extra effort with some jobs. You may be better off investing in yourself and learning new skills in demand. 

Even if your employer allows overtime, you could be cut back to part-time if you work too many overtime hours. That happened to me in my only full-time job.

You're Underpaid

You could be stuck working a minimum-wage job or be underemployed. In either case, you're underpaid.

You do not have control over your wage or salary as an employee. You can only negotiate so much with an employer.

You may be easier or harder to replace depending on your expertise and skillset. The easier you are to replace, the lower your wage will be. Anyone can flip burgers or learn to check out customers at a grocery store.

You've Compromised To Work For Less

It's one thing to be underpaid, but it is another thing to compromise and work for less than you're worth in the marketplace. You can earn more when you have in-demand skills.

You're too busy applying to jobs or learning to freelance instead of going into business for yourself. You continue settling for less rather than fighting for what you deserve. This is not an employer problem; this is your mindset.

Compromising what you earn is a bad financial habit that keeps you poor.

You Have An Employee Mindset

Your mindset can keep you stuck where you are or help you achieve your career goals. Signs of an employee mindset are that you always do what you are told and say yes to your employer or manager. You are happy earning less even if you struggle with paying your bills.

On the other hand, a business mindset focuses on professional growth, continuing education, and finding ways to increase your income.

No Room For Advancement

A job, whether it's an entry-level or a gig job, does not provide room for advancement. A career and a business do.

You continue to go to work. You have no hope of moving up in a company. There is no long-term future with an employer. You may exchange your time for a paycheck to cover one of your expenses.

If promotions and raises are not an option in your current job, consider going elsewhere. You can also work to live below your means and follow a budget to reduce the monthly spending to make you less dependent upon an employer.

At one job, I visited stores twice a week to scan the UPCs on products. Depending on how long I had to stay in the store, I would eventually strain my eyes. I already have had enough eye problems. The good news is that I have taken certifications on topics I enjoy and have had experience with my website. I was ready to leave to start freelancing. While I freelance on Upwork to actively make income for my business, I would continue to find ways to grow my business.

Your Mental Health Is Suffering

Your job can adversely affect your mental health. Stress from a bad job can manifest itself in many ways. You may suffer insomnia, constant headaches, or even depression.

Poor mental health can negatively impact your personal and professional life.

Your Physical Health Is Suffering

You may work too many hours, so you cannot exercise. Physical health helps you feel and look better. If you cannot find time to exercise because you are always working, you may want to find a way to make it work with your current schedule. If your physical health continues deteriorating, it may be another sign to look for another job.

You're Undervalued

If your contributions go unnoticed or are unappreciated, it can quickly lead to frustration. Your employer or manager does not recognize your hard work or how you help the company. You are just an employee ID in their system.

This may be an indication that the employee does not appreciate its employees. You may like to be employed by a smaller employer. It can also indicate that you might want to become self-employed and start your own business. 

Your Job Doesn't Align With Your Values

Your values may also change as you learn more about the world and yourself. When your employer's mission no longer aligns with your beliefs. You might find it challenging to keep working for that company.

You're Only In It For The Paycheck

A paycheck is great for paying the bills, from rent to paying off debt to saving money every month. But think twice if you are in it just for the money.

You can always get another paycheck, but you may need more fulfillment or value than you derive from where you are currently working. An employer not recognizing your work may be another sign to resign.

Poor Management

Poor management can make your work life unbearable. You may have a micromanaging boss. There may be a lack of communication. Your employer may be ineffective at decision-making.

A good leader can make all the difference in your work experience. It may be time to go if your current employer has poor leadership.

The Company's Future Seems Uncertain

The company constantly lays off employees, cuts benefits, or discusses a merger or bankruptcy. Consider planning your exit. If you're sensing instability, it's better to start looking before you're forced to.

You're Not Passionate About What You Do

Passion fuels fulfillment and success. It may be time to move on when you no longer have the drive to give your best.

Life is too short to do something you do not care about.

You've Been Thinking About Leaving For A While

When this feeling to leave has been in your mind for months, then that is not something you should ignore. When you're constantly daydreaming about quitting or applying for new jobs, your heart is no longer in it.

You Feel Isolated

Feeling disconnected from your coworkers or excluded from meaningful conversations can signal something's wrong. If you don't feel part of the team, staying motivated and engaged at work is hard.

You're Not Being Challenged

If your tasks have become monotonous and you're no longer being pushed to improve, boredom can quickly set in. A lack of challenge can make work feel like a chore rather than an opportunity to grow.

You've Reached Your Financial Limit

You might feel financially stuck. You may have reached the peak hourly or salary in your field. You know that there is no more financial growth for you.

You can start a new career or business to increase your income.

Unbalanced Work-Life

A good job enables you to balance your work and personal life. Your job may require all your attention, energy, and time. You may not even have time for your friends, family, or yourself.

An unbalanced work-life may be a sign to leave unless you are a workaholic. There is more to life than work.

Your Gut Is Telling You To Leave

Sometimes, you know it's time to go. Your gut is usually right. Learn to trust your gut.

Trust your instincts. Don't hesitate to quit if something feels off or you think leaving is best. You don't need to give a list of reasons to your manager for why you are going. Your intuition may be enough. Your manager does not need to know the real reason for your resignation.

Just state a general but truthful reason for leaving when you turn in your two weeks' notice. You may have many reasons why you want to leave a particular job.

You're Ready For Something New

You've been in the same role for years and desire a change. That's a valid reason to move on. You may want a new challenge, industry, or career path. The urge to do something new is normal.

Wanting to do something new could be the push you need to start a new chapter in your life.

You Work Better Alone

There are many different ways to work. You don't have to be an employee. You could become a contractor, freelancer, or a consultant. You could become self-employed by starting your own business.

Self-employment is a great option if you are a self-starter and like working alone. You can focus on business growth as you develop and expand your skills. You can then hire people to work for you rather than continue to exchange your time for money.

You Have An Emergency Fund

Not having an emergency fund keeps you tied to a job you may hate. The fear of being unemployed prevents you from looking for a better option. An emergency fund allows you to quit without facing the dreaded financial impact of unemployment.

The general rule for an emergency fund is to save at least three to six months of living expenses. However, having enough money saved to cover a year or more of expenses is even better! Your rainy day fund allows you to quit a job you don't like and find something better elsewhere!

Start building up your rainy day emergency fund by putting part of every paycheck into your monthly savings account. The 50/30/20 budget rule says at least 20% of every paycheck should go toward savings or paying off debt. You can save your money in a market account. A high-yield savings account is another option.

The bottom line is having an emergency fund allows you to find something better elsewhere!

Summary

Leaving a job is never easy. But it can sometimes be worse to remain at a job that no longer benefits you. Working a job where you are underpaid or remain stagnant can damage your health, happiness, and career growth. You have plenty of options outside of your current employer. You can take action by upskilling, applying for other jobs, or starting your own business.

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Views expressed in this article are the author's opinions and views and do not reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Secure Single does not give health, medical, relationship, travel, or financial advice. Secure Single does not provide advice of any kind. Always consult and speak with a professional.