After spending a few months reflecting on my current job, I’ve come to the conclusion that the time has come to quit my job and move in another direction. The decision to change careers wasn’t a difficult one for me to make, as I’ve grown weary of doing the same work day in and day out for the last twenty years.
I haven’t quit just yet, but am taking the necessary steps to make the change occur as smoothly as possible for myself, as well as for my employer. My being the only other person in the dental office, besides the Dentist and a part-time Hygienist, means that my boss will have to find someone (or two someone’s) to take over my responsibilities as office manager and chair-side assistant.
Making the decision to leave my job has actually added some “pep to my step“, because I’ve done this same job for so long that I honestly believe I could do it blindfolded, and I‘m excited about leaving it behind. It’s become boring and monotonous, with no advancement possibilities or challenges left to conquer. It’s simply time to move on.
I found it quite ironic that I should come upon David Finch’ post “21 Ways to Know it’s Time to Leave Your Job” after already making the final decision to change careers. After reading his list, and giving a resounding “Yes” to most of the signs David gives that it’s time to leave a job, I knew I was making the right decision.
If that weren’t enough to further convince me that I‘m making the right decision, I then discovered Seth Godin’s post “When to Start”, and his words “The best time to start was last year. The second best time to start is right now”. Those words virtually jumped off the screen at me because I had briefly considered making the career change last year, but am only now finally taking action.
Life is simply too short to be stuck in a job that I no longer enjoy doing, and I have to consider the possibility that my work is suffering in some ways because of it, and it’s not fair to my boss either. In “How To Tell You Are In The Wrong Career”, Derek Semmler points out If Sunday night feels different than Friday night, you’re doing the wrong thing, since getting up each Monday morning to head off to a dull and boring job makes Sunday night rather depressing.
I’ve even found a local blogger and headhunter by the name of Bill Vick who wrote, “So You Hate Your Job”, and have begun correspondence with him regarding my plan to begin working with elderly people here locally, and how ironic that his post should suggest that very idea.
Being able to work for myself and set my own hours is something I have wanted to do for quite some time, and I’m finally going to make it happen. Having the support of my husband in my new endeavor really puts the icing on the cake, and I can hardly wait for the last day on the job at the dental office.
What about you? Are you considering quitting your job? What is holding you back?
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8 responses so far ↓
1 David Finch (1 comments.) // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:42 am
Lin, thank you for linking to my 21 Ways to Know When it’s Time to Leave Your Job. I wish you much success in your new career move. Keep me posted on your progress.
2 Lin (904 comments.) // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:52 am
David,
Thank YOU for writing the post with all those insightful questions for people to really discover when it’s time to leave a job. There were only a couple/few that I don’t deal with, but most were a Yes.
3 Periapex (9 comments.) // Mar 13, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Sounds like an exciting change is in the works! My wife is moving away from hygiene and towards massage therapy (she’s qualified for both) because she’s had enough of the dental field and finds no excitement in it anymore.
Canucklehead just put up a somewhat depressing post about finding a career that suits you. But like I said to him, the journey through life can take many paths and although we sometimes wander down curvy lane, we eventually get to the same spot regardless. The journey that we take is the important process.
I’m sure that you’ll find much satisfaction with your new direction.
4 Lin (904 comments.) // Mar 13, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Thanks Periapex, I’m really looking forward to the change. My boss will likely have a meltdown when the time comes to tell him I’m leaving, but he’ll have to accept it, as he has no choice in the matter.
5 Kim (16 comments.) // Mar 14, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Good luck with your search of a new path.. as scary as it is, it is awesome soul foods that gives a new pep in your daily step.. (so cliche, but I found it to be so true)
6 Lin (904 comments.) // Mar 14, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Thanks Kim! I’m so excited about the new venture and can hardly wait to get started once I’ve quit this current job.
7 Beth Z // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Lin,
Have you made your career change yet? How is that coming along? I was the lucky winner of one of your books & would like to repay that favor if you need any career coaching, resume or interviewing help - please email me.
-Beth
8 Lin (904 comments.) // Jun 26, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hi Beth, I hope you have been enjoying the book. I currently have another book giveaway going on if you’d like to check that out and enter if you’re interested. Just go to the home page of my site by clicking on the header image and you’ll see it.
Unfortunately, I have not yet made the change. My father in-law passed away shortly after publishing this post, and we’ve been dealing with all the final bills from his hospital stay and care, etc.
I’m very much wanting to make the change, work out of my home etc, but have been stuck in this mode of not knowing exactly how to go about finding something I can do out of my home that will pay enough to allow me to quit my job. But I’m still working on it, and have not given up, nor will I give up.
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