“I’m so glad I found this site! It’s nice to know that other people understand the urge and even the need to “just quit” instead of continuing to suffer while trying to find another job.” – Comment from Someone Living in New York, USA on July 30th, 2013
Sometimes in life you have to “Just Quit” what is not working so you can let come what will work for you and your life. Below are the comments and results for July 2013
A Total of 278 People Have Responded To Our Survey
30 Countries Around The World – 33 States in the U.S.A.
COUNTRY
TOTAL
PERCENT
United States
172
62%
Canada
28
10%
United Kingdom
21
8%
Australia
11
4%
India
9
3%
Singapore
7
3%
Philippines
3
1%
South Africa
2
1%
Malta
2
1%
Hong Kong
2
1%
Egypt
2
1%
Pakistan
1
<1%
Norway
1
<1%
Netherlands
1
<1%
Romania
1
<1%
Russia
1
<1%
Slovenia
1
<1%
Saudi Arabia
1
<1%
Nigeria
1
<1%
Venezuela
1
<1%
China
1
<1%
Bahamas
1
<1%
Bahrain
1
<1%
Afghanistan
1
<1%
Colombia
1
<1%
Denmark
1
<1%
Kuwait
1
<1%
Jordan
1
<1%
Finland
1
<1%
Malaysia
1
<1%
Below are the answers to the question: Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?
My job was making me feel worthless. There wasn’t anything challenging about the work & my coworkers were negative & sucking the life blood out of me.
Wednesday, Jul 31st 10:40AM
I don’t believe in my job anymore. My boss is a micromanagement. I would like to do something in the arts.
Wednesday, Jul 31st, 8:59AM
Because i am sick of missing out on doing the thing i love doing most. Surfing. I work away from the surf for 2 weeks then come home for 1 week and look after my kids. I can go surfing while they are at school only. This is frustrating me and I’ve never had the courage to do anything about it.
Wednesday, Jul 31st 5:20AM
Can’t work a day with the person they hires as my direct supervisor (hired because she is married to the supervisor of my area but with limited skill and no proof of her abilities).
Tuesday, Jul 30th 11:04PM
I don’t feel valued. I don’t trust my own team. I don’t feel like I can maximize my value to the firm. The stress is making me physically and mentally ill. I’m not doing the work I love. The company’s values are inconsistent with my own.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 10:22PM
I have been working hard with very few breaks since I was 15. In the last several years, I have been trying to shoe-horn my life into my job rather than the other way around. All the travel and long hours are making it impossible to focus on things that are more important to me. My health is suffering. Physically, I am unable to consistently make time to work out; I eat out for almost every meal; do not get enough sleep; have an inconsistent schedule; and I haven’t been to the doctor in years. Mentally, I am affected by the sleep, schedule, and stress. I have difficulty focusing on my job and have lost most of my passion for it. I do not feel that I am learning or that I am in charge of my life inside or outside of work. I am constantly near the boiling point and get angry very easily when I feel that my company has done anything to negatively impact my life again. My work has become boring and repetitive, and it forces me to skip many activities that I enjoy, even when they are after normal business hours and all my friends can make it. The job is significantly hindering all my relationships. It is difficult to maintain existing friendships, let alone make new ones, and I am not able to spend time with family – including my roommate – anywhere near as often as I’d like. The relationship with my girlfriend is also suffering from undue stress due to all the travel and time spent forced apart. On top of all this, I am paid less than employees at other companies with comparable skills and experience that work fewer hours with little to no travel.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 7:07PM
In addition to providing no challenge, or fulfillment — my current job is completely unrelated to my personal interests and values. I fell into the position because it paid very well and came with a certain degree of prestige, but I’ve never truly been interested in the work, or the industry and I’ve been looking for a way out since I hit the 3 month mark (I’m currently a week shy of 2 years). I’m not able to use my natural strengths, and I am 100% confident that this job is in no way related to my true purpose. I can also no longer tolerate working with my manager or as part of a “corporate” culture.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 5:52PM
SO BORED
HORRIBLE COWORKER
NOT THE FIELD I WANT TO BE IN ALL MY LIFE
Tuesday, Jul 30th 2:57PM
I am not performing well and really hate my job.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 12:45PM
So many reasons beyond my well being
Sunday, Jul 28th 10:21PM
Relocating and being with my finance and changing careers to be somewhere where i am full time and also have benifits since i am currently part time with no benifits with student loans coming due for payment. Bigger city= bigger oppurtunities. and i want to get out of my parents home.
Sunday, Jul 28th 12:46AM
I studied very hard thinking that I would live a good life after I graduate but I think Im the most unhappy person. I hate this place. I dont care about my job anymore. I feel like this is punishment for something terrible that I did. I am a lot happy when im at home, with my family, with my friends, with my boyfriend. Im happy even when im in class and doing everything else outside my job. My job is tiring and makes me feel sick and the worst thing is the night shift. i feel like crying like a baby when I have to come to work at night. i want to start a business outside my career. i want to do something that will make me feel good. I want to study further. I am not proud to tell people about my job because i feel that it is stupid. i complain to everyone and they seem to think that i dont know what i want. i want to relax and have fun for a while, take a holiday. im just tired, so tired that i cant even take care of myself anymore. I cant dress up to look good anymore. I dont even do my hair anymore. my body is always tired and im gaining weight because of the stress making me eat and sleep.
Saturday, Jul 27th 7:17PM
I am miserable in my current job and i do not enjoy it. I want to leave the job so i can think and decide on something i would like to do.
Saturday, Jul 27th 2:42AM
I am just not interested in the corporate planning industry.
Friday, Jul 26th 11:20PM
Burnt out, bad management with no hope of changing. Bad team.
Friday, Jul 26th 1:15AM
Because I am bored, unchallenged and not sure if I want to continue in this profession.
Thursday, Jul 25th 7:49PM
Sabbatical, recuperation, other projects.
Thursday, Jul 25th 5:57PM
I am physically sick. I have anxiety everyday when I enter work. I have even gone to the bathroom because I thought i was going to puke from the amount of anxiety i have. i also got vertigo while there in april, and it hasnt gone away completely since – it is now august. i work with manipulative people, they act like they are in high school – they expect you to know things that you were never taught, they try to keep you at the lowest possible rung with no way of getting out of it, and they dump all of their work on you and dont help.
Wednesday, Jul 24th 8:32PM
I can’t stand to go to my work anymore
Tuesday, Jul 23rd 11:01PM
I dread going to work. I don’t like the direction the ompsny is going. I feel very unfulfiled in my job and there are no opportunities for advancement in the company. My health is suffering and I believe it is the stress of the job.
Monday, Jul 22nd 10:34PM
overlooked for promotion
Monday, Jul 22nd 12:51AM
Because being at a job for over 19 months that I didnt go to school for is more than enough. I need to gain experience and have an interest in what I am doing. I dont enjoy the majority of the people I work with. My boss is an ogre who leaves at hours at a time only to give me minimal instruction or support. I dont have any benefits and the only thing that keeps me there is the pay which is higher than most jobs at my age.
Sunday, Jul 21st 10:00PM
Currently I am good at my job, I enjoy working with my colleagues and I work in a very busy but relaxed environment however it does take a lot of my energy and for all the energy I put in I feel I need something more rewarding, a job that provides satisfaction in the heart, a job that I am passionate about and I don’t mind putting my energy and mind to it. Something I can come home and feel it was worth it. Maybe not every single day but most days.
Sunday, Jul 21st 5:48PM
MY STRESS LEVEL IS BEYOND HEALTHY AND I NO LONGER WANT RESPONSIBILITY.
Saturday, Jul 20th 1:40PM
If this was a romantic relationship, my friends and family would be begging me to run.
Saturday, Jul 20th 4:44AM
Been looked over for positions and my suggestions are not being taken seriously anymore.
Friday, Jul 19th 3:42PM
I don’t do what I would like to be doing
Wednesday, Jul 17th 5:44PM
No Career Development
Monday, Jul 15th 11:20PM
Repetition at work, bosses are speaking down to me yet I am one of the top 5 employees (by survey metrics / completed assignments) out of my team.
Saturday, Jul 13th 2:27AM
I hate it. It’s making me sick and bored
Monday, Jul 8th 10:42PM
Can’t take the poor management and nasty customers.
Saturday, Jul 6th 4:30PM
I’m thinking about doing this because I feel like I’m in a rut and stressed. I’m not bein respected and I’m unhappy
Friday, Jul 5th 11:15AM
I can’t take it anymore! I’ve been working in the advertising field for 9 years, and I have been working in my current agency for almost 7 years. The idea of quitting had been haunting me for the past 3 years, but I always tried to oppress it by trying to highlight the positive side of my job which is mainly the working environment and how lucky i am to have a sweetheart boss, and how I am being appreciated at this job regardless of the stress, late nights, my boss’s swinging mood, crappy clients…and lately the feeling that I don’t fit anymore with the crowd in the agency. I hate Sunday nights, I drag myself out of bed everyday to go to work, I get stomach cramps when I get a phone call from my boss on my mobile. I don’t feel motivated anymore! when a new client calls in, I wish and pray that they don’t proceed with us as I don’t want any more extra work! nothing excites me anymore in this job. And last but not least, I don’t see myself in this career in the future. However, I feel so lost, I want to quit but I don’t know what will I do next, I don’t want to stay home doing nothing, I know I can go crazy! As well as everybody thinks I am crazy to take this step!
Thursday, Jul 4th 6:48PM
Because I feel trapped and lonely
Thursday, Jul 4th 7:17AM
Stressed out and salary not raised as promised.not fullfilling
Thursday, Jul 4th 5:53AM
My current job and boss is making me feel so miserable and useless. It is a small company (3 people), and having just moved countries its important to have human contact and meet new people – I can literally go 8 hours having only spoken to just my boss. He puts me down, asks me inappropriate questions or makes comments which are unethical. Hes totally under paying me, does not know how to manage people or work and thinks that everyone he works with or for are useless. Most nights I come home and cry, which is obviously effecting my relationship with my partner and my unhappiness is stopping me from going out there and meeting new people and having fun.
Wednesday, Jul 3rd 6:35AM
My job is taking it’s toll on my physically and emotionally. Everyday is like a never ending marathon of things that you never enjoyed doing.
Tuesday, Jul 2nd 11:23PM
The company has gone in a direction I do not want to follow.
Monday, Jul 1st 11:36PM
I can’t stand my boss. It’s not worth the stress.
Monday, Jul 1st 1:38PM
Gender:
Female: 61% Male: 39%
Income Levels
Percentage
Under $50,000
57%
$50-000 – $100,000
32%
Over $100,000
11%
Comments About Income:
At over $90k, the pay is decent, but it is way below what I can get elsewhere for similar, if not substantially less work, and probably in an area with a lower cost of living.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 7:07PM
I am in South africa. I earn R12300 per month. This is equivalent to $15073 per annum
Saturday, Jul 27th 7:17PM
£56k sterling
Thursday, Jul 25th 5:57PM
I work 67 hrs a week not including travel/ expenses. My salary is 40K.
Saturday, Jul 20th 4:44AM
My income is $10,000 per year.
Saturday, Jul 20th 3:10AM
I haven’t been treated properly nor have I been given proper raises
Friday, Jul 5th 11:15AM
The 10 Steps to Get Prepared to “Just Quit” – Are You Prepared to Just Quit?
The Below are in the Order of How Many People Have Completed That Step (most people are concerned about how this decision will impact their loved ones)
Number Of Respondents who have completed this step
PERCENTAGE
Thought About How This Decision Will Impact Your Family/Spouse/Children
229
14.43%
DECIDED to “Just Quit” – You May Not Know The Date, But You Have Made The Decision
200
12.6%
Thought About “The Story” You’ll Tell About “Just Quitting” (While Between Employment)
184
11.59%
Have a General Idea or Specific Plan About What You Really Want to Do (Without doing this you’ll probably get stuck again doing something that makes you miserable)
183
11.53%
Saved or Have Access to Enough Money for 6 Months for Basic Expenses
178
11.22%
Thought About How You Will Celebrate When You “Just Quit” – How Will You Feel That Day – What You’ll Do That Night & The Next Morning
140
8.82%
Completed A Spreadsheet To Find Out How Long You Can Go Without A Job
132
8.32%
Determined the Actual Date You Can “Just Quit” (This is Your “Just Quit” Date)
128
8.07%
Talked to Others Who Have “Just Quit”- Listened to Their Stories/What They Did (Note: You will not find many people who’ve had the courage to do this. Most people stay stuck or wait until they find another job.)
108
6.81%
Written Your Resignation Letter (You MUST do this and give proper notice. NO EXCEPTIONS.)
105
6.62%
General Comments From July 2013 Respondents:
I did quit, extremely hard decision as for an uneducated individual, I made excellent money. It was the best paying, least satisfying job I have ever had..& BTW..I am 50..no degree & not many skills, but I had to do it for my sanity. I will be attending a 1 year course for nursing & hopefully, will find my passion.
Wednesday, Jul 31st 10:40AM
I have not performed a spreadsheet, but as long as I put my plan to buy a house on hold, I have enough money saved up to last me several years at my current spending rate, which should go down since I will not need to eat out for every meal. I don’t feel one is needed. One of my biggest hurdles is that I really don’t know what I want to do for my career anymore. I plan to take some of this time to try and figure it out. Being unmarried with no kids makes this a lot easier.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 7:07PM
I’m so glad I found this site! it’s nice to know that other people understand the urge and even the need to “just quit” instead of continuing to suffer while trying to find another job.
Tuesday, Jul 30th 5:52PM
Really enjoyed your blog. I just wrote my resignation letter and was feeling quite sad which I didn’t expect and for a second was having second thoughts thats how I came across this website. My mind is clear now I am going to quit and I have a copule ideas of directions I am going to pursue. Thank you
Sunday, Jul 21st 5:48PM
I feel of having no values, and advancement place.
One of the beauties of living alone is you can do whatever you want. For about a month I’ve been having some serious conversations with God. Every time I realized that I was just having this stupid nonsense conversation in my head with myself about much of nothing I would immediately start talking to God…just like I was talking to someone in the house with me.
I felt like Job or one of the other folks in the bible…letting God have it. It might seem irreverent but my relationship with God has gotten to be close enough where I’m okay questioning God. I think having a Black Folder has gotten me that way…and how can you have a relationship without asking questions…and tough questions?
God what are you doing? What is going on? Why are you opening doors and then closing them shut? What exactly do you want? Just tell me what you want me to do? Where do you want me to go? I’m sick of trying to figure it out. Why the mystery? GOD – WHAT DO YOU WANT?
On and on it has gone for over a month. Day in and day out. Then, God comes back with:
I want you to get out the way. YOU are in my way. I can’t do what I want because you keep doing what you want. I’ve BEEN trying to get your attention. I’ve BEEN trying to see if you’ve learned anything yet. I’ve BEEN trying to see if I can trust you and use you to do some of the stuff I want to do. It’s been years. How much more of the same do you need? Are you ready to move on? Are you ready? Are you? So, yep, you are exactly where I need you to be, asking the right question, to the right source, at the right time.
When you get here with God it ain’t no joke.
So, I thought maybe I needed to pick up a spiritual text since I’m having this conversation (fight) with God (yeah I started to get a little nervous and thought I should show more reverence). I have plenty of spiritual texts in my house from every major religion.
So, I asked God, did I need to read something, and God said to pick up the Bible. Now, that seems like such a simple request, but it was NOT. I have an entire treasure chest (literally a treasure chest) of Bible and Bible Related Books from my days of what I call my “15 years of Sunday, Sunday, Wednesday religion'”. I felt I’d read the bible so many times and knew the bible stories and the psalms and the proverbs. But…I was just trying to get out of God’s way, so, I picked up the bible. I actually picked up two bibles and put them by my nightstand. One was the Kings James version, which I started reading but it took me back to those 15 years of ‘institutional religious mind-numbing book, chapter and verse finding the proof text to prove you’re right yet lacking inclusion, compassion and the spirit’. So…then I picked up the The Illustrated Bible which is written in a tone and intent of trying to apply the bible to your life. All the while I was thinking:
oh, has it really resorted to this? Really God? Aren’t you bigger than one book? Please tell me that the last 7 years of my life of my spiritual journey has not been a wild goose chase. Are you serious that the answer to what you want and how I can get out of your way is in the Bible?
I wasn’t proud of thinking that, but it is what I was thinking. I could not hide that for God. I knew God already knew what I was thinking…so…I just went on with reading the bible at night before I went to sleep…hoping, wishing, thinking that maybe God would let me read something and then personalize it in my dreams that night. I was just trying to find the answer to what God wanted. BUT…the answer to my question WAS in the Bible. I needed WISDOM. There it was this one simple yet profound line:
WISDOM IS KNOWING WHAT GOD WANTS
I had never, ever, ever, ever seen it written like that. It was like a bright light, a signpost, it was a direction to go in, it was something to seek…WISDOM…
It’s taken me years to Learn to Ask For Wisdom if I Want to Know What God Wants. And why wouldn’t I want to know what God wants? Why would I go another second, minute, day not wanting to know what God wants?
Next Question: “Okay God, How Do I Get Wisdom?”
Answer: “You already know the answer to that. You need to get back on the Meditation Cushion. Yes, walking daily and doing a walking meditation is good…but I need you to truly quiet your mind and your body so that I can give you wisdom.
Then I thought back on another post and the video about How and Why To Meditate“…wow…then I ran across this the other day… The Daily Habit of Successful People…confirmation that no, my 7 year quest has not been in vain…meditation is one of the tools to know what God wants and align yourself with that…success is relative…but misery is not.
Meditation Provides The Key…but…
Knowing To Ask For Wisdom Points You To The Door
Next Question: “What happens God when my thoughts, words and deeds are aligned based on Wisdom?”
Answer: “You shout it from the roof tops and you Tell Others…and when you tell them let them know it’s not you, but it’s the God in you…and don’t you forget that…don’t take credit for ANYTHING from here on out.”
My mother knew Wisdom, so did my father. They both knew and I thank them for helping me to Seek Wisdom, yes I thank them both. I can feel and hear my mother mostly (maybe because it’s coming up on a year since she’s been gone). She’s saying: Rita I’ve crossed over…I can see you Rita…Just let God do it…God is everything…God knows everything… God is in everything…God WANTS to do it…Rita Just Let God Do It…Seek Wisdom Rita…Seek Wisdom Rita…Seek Wisdom Rita
Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?
Been at the same company 11 years and going nowhere. The work is not at all challenging, and so much is expected of us (with little in return). I don’t care about the product we make or the work we do–it does not inspire me at all. I detest Sundays, and just struggle through each week until I can make it to the weekend.
Yesterday, 12:00AM
I hate my job. I literally hate it. I’m miserable there. I spend long hours stuck in traffic, driving from appointment to appointment (I work in home health care). I’m overwhelmed by the number of clients that I am expected to see. My boss keeps pushing me to see more and more people and I already feel that I can’t keep up with the number that I’m expected to see now. I spend countless hours in the evening and on weekends writing reports and answering emails. I feel like my job is taking over my life. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe because I am just so stressed and overwhelmed. I don’t want to get up in the morning because I don’t want to go to work. I just hate it. I have never had a job that made me this miserable. The worst part is that I’m not even making good money. My boss is completelely underpaying me and profitting off of me. I’ve been looking for months and can’t find another job. I’m just worried that if I quit I won’t be able to find something else.
Friday, Jun 28th 6:58PM
Because everyday I feel sick at going in there is constant people talking about me I have panik attacks and cannot sleep worrying that everyone hates me I also have gone into myself I’m not the happy confident person I used to be.
Thursday, Jun 27th 4:32PM
Set up for failure
Wednesday, Jun 26th 11:32PM
It’s stressful, I don’t like what I do anymore, I don’t like most of the people I work with, not paid enough for what I do, taken advantage of, hate the hours
Monday, Jun 24th 7:18PM
I have been a contractor for almost three years and I want a permanent position within the company. The Director and Manager of my group have known that I’ve wanted a permanent position for almost a year but they have failed to move on it or address it to me.
Monday, Jun 24th 7:09PM
Because I am bored with my job, it’s not in the field I am passionate about.
Monday, Jun 24th 12:31AM
Job has become stressful and a lack of leadership in management.
Sunday, Jun 23rd 11:16AM
My work has no purpose, helps nobody, and I don’t believe that the organization really cares about the results. They are simply interested in getting grant money from the government and have no intention to use that money to develop a product. I also don’t think the management has any idea what they are doing.
Saturday, Jun 22nd 11:43PM
I am miserable every day I hate going to work monday I hate that I never see my husband I hate my hours I hate my customers
Saturday, Jun 22nd 7:01PM
I feel stuck in my job and my career. I’ve been plotting this years ago, but I was waiting to get some things I needed (loans, a surgery paid trought the healthcare, etc).Now I’ve got all I need. It’s time to quit and start over.
Tuesday, Jun 18th 4:45PM
The job I have is making me sick.. physically sick just thinking about being there makes me ill. It’s where hard work is ignored and politics are constantly at play. It’s a place that discourages development and growth of its team and encourages “top down” mechanics under the guise of being a company run on new age defining principles. It’s a place where I feel creatively stifled even though I have a creative role. I have no desire to work within the field I’m in anymore and there is so much more to life that I have true interest in.
Tuesday, Jun 18th 12:12PM
I hate the micromanaging bureaucratic culture. I also especially hate waking up in the mornings. I don’t want another job because it will just be the exact same thing as the one I have.
Tuesday, Jun 18th 1:08AM
I psychologically can’t handle working with sales. The downs in sales, makes me feel worthless.
Monday, Jun 17th 2:38PM
I am not good at my job. I hate going to work. I am always late at work. The work is boring. My boss work on my nerves. I hate presentations. I have no passion for my work. I am not keeping up to date with my profession. People expect me to be an accounting expert whic I am not. I am not doing my job. I want freedom. I want a new career. I want to wake up late in the morning. I want a job for which I have passion. I want o be an expert in my job. I want the freedom to travel for long periods. I want to spend my time reading. I want to feel alive. I want to stop feeling anxious.
Monday, Jun 17th 1:03PM
I have more important things in my life that work. I do not deserve to be treated like shit and be unappreciated at my place of work. My job has caused serious healthy issues for me. I do not get sick days or vacations. I can still do whatever I want and no worry about money for over a year.
Sunday, Jun 16th 4:48PM
Hate the profession Don’t find it works with my values Don’t think it works with my strengths Makes me feel low Takes away everything I like about myself
Saturday, Jun 15th 10:41AM
Ah actually, I did quit. I’m taking this survey out of curiosity. After almost fifteen years in manufacturing I’ve only managed to work my way up to $15/hr. I am intelligent, well spoken and extremely well written. I am analytical, capable of complex abstract thought, have keen spatial visualization and problem solving skills. I could only take so much of being reminded these things by co-workers and engineers without due compensation. The final straw came when I was passed up for a gainful opportunity within another department which I was an ideal candidate for, because of my apparent value to my current department. That was it. It was already bad enough that I didn’t love my job, being overlooked in lieu of a lesser qualified candidate because my manager would not let me go was a direct insult to my integrity as a human being.
Friday, Jun 14th 2:00PM
I want to change career field and staying at current position which is so demanding and not enjoyable I hardly find time to pursue my interests in new career field. However I try my best but staying at current job is just not an option anymore.
Thursday, Jun 13th 11:31AM
Things I Hate About My Job**1.)I hate how I have to cover everyone else’s time off when I can’t ever seem to get enough for myself. 2.)I hate sleeping all day and working all night. 3.)I hate the wannabe military atmosphere that permeates here. 4.)Im sick of the facility—all stairs, being hot, being cold. 5.)I really hate the stupid heavy boots that I have to wear. My ankles are in serious pain every day. 6.)I hate most of my co-workers with their military wannabe attitudes and the supervisors who all look like they were the nerds in school and are taking out their past torture on everyone. 7.)I hate hearing about how great we have it here and how we are all lucky to even have a job—would you tell an abused woman that she is at least lucky to have a boyfriend?. 8.)I hate how my vacation was accepted then denied a week before I was supposed to leave. 9.)I hate stairs. 10.)I hate the loud obnoxious alarm testing I have to do every night. 11.)I hate having to work 12 days straight without a day off, then get one, then work another 6 straight. 12.)I hate working 12 hour shifts whenever they tell me to. 13.)I hate my supervisor’s ridiculously serious attitude about the job—it really isn’t that serious and the way you let them treat you is undignified. 14.)I hate sitting in a quiet office with nothing to accomplish other than the occasional mouse click. 15.)I hate how condescending the management and employees are. 16.)I hate how the job has taken over my thoughts even outside of work. 17.)I am tired of the stomach aches and pains, the headaches, the back pain, the depression, the mood swings, all because of this job. 18.)I hate how there is a “click” of co-workers/supervisors that always get time off, and I don’t—on top of that they always somehow get rewards for good performance…. 19.)I hate the shitty computer systems we are stuck with. 20.)I hate the following words: Sir (most hated word), Captain, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Egress, CSO, SOPs, Sierra, Alpha, Egg, Mat. 21.)I hate how we have to wear a one piece jumpsuit and how my underwear rides up my ass constantly all shift. 22.)I hate how when I leave in the morning, I have to be back the same friggin day. 23.)I hate third shift and what it has done to my complexion and weight.
Thursday, Jun 13th 5:19AM
The job is too frantic and I often cannot get one thing done without being dragged away to something else.
Wednesday, Jun 12th 9:15PM
Because I hate working in fast food and I feel miserable just thinking about it. I get abused by customers and the management there is terrible. I want out. Straight away.
Wednesday, Jun 12th 6:22PM
I hate my job. I think I hate my profession. I feel under-utilizied, under-appreciated.
Wednesday, Jun 12th 3:30PM
It is a terrible, hostile, and unorganized work environment.
Tuesday, Jun 11th 10:52PM
Lack of direction in the current company. I see no future for the company or myself.
Tuesday, Jun 11th 1:58PM
i hate my dead end job where there is no recognetion or appreciation
Tuesday, Jun 11th 2:33AM
If I don’t quit I will be fired so I’m trying to do the not so worst part even though both are bad.
Tuesday, Jun 11th 12:47AM
Job doesn’t interest me .. Field doesn’t interest me . Don’t see myself anymore with this company. Work life balance is completely out of whack . I live in a country and my wife and kids in another . I can’t sleep at all! I am stressed , spaced out and miserably down all the time. I lost my faith in myself
Sunday, Jun 9th 9:58PM
I hate my boss. He is verbally abusive, constantly harasses me, and is making my life hell.
Sunday, Jun 9th 4:02PM
Yes I need to quit
Saturday, Jun 8th 11:21AM
This job has turned me into a sad horrible person. I used to be so awesome and now I feel like nothing.
Friday, Jun 7th 6:24AM
i am so busy at work that i don’t even have the time to look for anther job unless i quit my current job
Friday, Jun 7th 12:03AM
I work in call center in collections and middle age,mother of three I am not doing very well at my job because i don’t enjoy talking a lot. ,every morning before I go to work i have butter flies in my stomach, am I going to do a good job or not,I ask my self why I can’t be multitask er just like other people. taking notes at the same time while i am offering pmt options. I am job hunter and studying part time. Basically I am god gifted artist ( oil landscapes, sketches, portraits, etc) I always wonder how can make living out of this profession.Every evening after work I pray that tonight should be my last day at work.but don’t have another job,so i don’t quit.even if I quit will I get ei benefits By reading your article I felt like this is my story.
Thursday, Jun 6th 10:25PM
Because my boss is impossible to work with. He’s arrogant, condescending, and passive aggressive.He blames me for EVERYTHING even if it’s not my fault and then, when it turns out to be a glitch with the software or when it turns out to be HIS fault, then, suddenly, it was no big deal. He has MANY MANY MANY rules that are difficult to abide by because the rules continue to change. What was okay yesterday isn’t okay today. He’ll say one thing and then say the opposite. Or he’ll claim to have told me something even though he hadn’t.He lies and exaggerates deadlines if I need the day or afternoon off for appointments. I get no medical coverage, no benefits, no sick days, no vacation days.
Thursday, Jun 6th 9:24PM
I have stayed in this job because i needed the income to support myself and my partner. He has got a job now however it is some distance away the commute seems silly 2hrs for a job in a company that doesn’t treat their staff well or help develop people further in their careers
Thursday, Jun 6th 1:02PM
Stressed to the point of being sick. Undervalued. Overwhelmed with feeling of out of my depth. Wrong company -small, no structure, no support, feel ignored, don’t know what’s needed of me, feel isolated. I clock watch, time drags. Fear of failure. Poor money (half what I was earning 5 years ago). Longer than usual hours. Unusually tired.
Thursday, Jun 6th 3:48AM
I’m at a glass ceiling. The job is boring. They have not had a raise in 5 years at this company. I feel that life is passing me by.
Wednesday, Jun 5th 8:29AM
I’m miserable and don’t want to do this job for the rest of my life.
Wednesday, Jun 5th 7:29AM
I hate it
Tuesday, Jun 4th 11:39PM
Company culture does not support the unit. Or me. Affronts my values. I don’t respect my boss. She chooses not to trust me.
Tuesday, Jun 4th 7:08PM
After six years with my current employer I am starting to feel like I am going in circles. I am not really in a good position to advance because I work remotely and yet I am one of the longest employed marketing professionals in my segment of the company. I find I don’t have the patience for the interactions. They feel meaningless. We are doing neat things as a company but I don’t feel like there is any celebration of what we do. Criticism is just heaped on top of criticism and there is always some opportunity that we missed that is reason for disappointment. I don’t really believe anymore that the path that I am on is right for me. Maybe it was two, three, four years ago. But I am back in the same place that I have been several times and I am left wondering when will it be enough.
Tuesday, Jun 4th 6:02PM
Breach of contract No support
Monday, Jun 3rd 10:38AM
I am so unhappy. I go to bed dreading work the next day, I wake up in a bad mood because I have to go to a job I hate. The hours are long and boring. We have no benefits. We hit a ceiling in pay, which I’m already at the most I can make and its not that much. I’m also in school and feel like life has been sucked out of me by the time i get off that I have no energy to devote any time to school work. This list goes on.
Monday, Jun 3rd 10:20AM
Because I am miserable there.
Monday, Jun 3rd 3:08AM
It is crushing my soul.
Sunday, Jun 2nd 10:41PM
Because my job is unfufilling and it makes me even more depressed… its not worth it i wanna kill myself when i think about having to waste 8 hours there each night
Sunday, Jun 2nd 12:28PM
I’m depressed, anxious, stressed, and contemplate suicide at work. I’m physically sick from the depression, anxiety and stress, and being sick at work only makes the mental problems worse, which starts a cycle. My boss is an asshole with unrealistic demands. I have to do all of my work, plus extra, plus clean up my co-worker’s half-assed job.
Saturday, Jun 1st 12:28PM
The type of work that I do, I am not happy with. At the end of the day I do not have a sense of satisfaction or gratification that I did something meaningful or worthwhile. I am in a position where I scam customers for their money in return for very little to them. I do not “help” people in a way that I want to. I wear a suit and tie and I clean cars in 100+degree heat. I did not go to college to do this and I deserve so much better. I work 50 hours a week and I am physically and mentally drained from work. I do not spend time with family or friends like I used to and I have a very bad attitude because all week I take nothing but bullshit from customers complaining over nothing. I bend over backwards to make them happy and make my managers richer while my pay check stays the same. I need to do work where I am helping others in a positive fashion and where I can make a difference. My efforts need to be apart of the “bigger picture”. Working at this company is horrible, the working conditions, the business practices they teach us, and the terrible management invasion of privacy is something I absolutely hate. I need to find something else!
Gender –
Female: 65.52% Male: 34.48%
Income Levels
Percentage
Under $50,000
58.05%
$50-000 – $100,000
33.17%
Over $100,000
8.78%
Comments About Income:
I’m paid hourly and so my pay fluctuates alot from month to month. I get paid per billable hour so there’s alot of pressure on me to take on more work in order to get better pay.
Friday, Jun 28th 6:58PM
Have a lot saved up (50,000)
Monday, Jun 24th 7:18PM
$230,000
Sunday, Jun 23rd 11:16AM
I make 7000/yr.
Tuesday, Jun 18th 4:45PM
Commission based but around 50.000
Monday, Jun 17th 2:38PM
I’m an 18 year old part-time worker. I earn $12 per hour. I work hard, and I’m keen to find a job that pays a lot better than that pathetic wage.
Wednesday, Jun 12th 6:22PM
I am an India. Currency is INR
Tuesday, Jun 11th 1:58PM
making below market rate as a fully designated CMA
Friday, Jun 7th 12:03AM
$28000
Thursday, Jun 6th 10:25PM
Way under living standards. I am statistically poor.
Thursday, Jun 6th 9:24PM
The 10 Steps to Get Prepared to “Just Quit”?
Are You Prepared To Quit? Check Those Things That You Have Already Done
COUNT
PERCENT
Thought About How This Decision Will Impact Your Family/Spouse/Children
173
14%
DECIDED to “Just Quit” – You May Not Know The Date, But You Have Made The Decision
154
13%
Thought About “The Story” You’ll Tell About “Just Quitting” (While Between Employment)
142
12%
Have a General Idea or Specific Plan About What You Really Want to Do (Without doing this you’ll probably get stuck again doing something that makes you miserable)
139
12%
Saved or Have Access to Enough Money for 6 Months for Basic Expenses
136
11%
Thought About How You Will Celebrate When You “Just Quit” – How Will You Feel That Day – What You’ll Do That Night & The Next Morning
106
9%
Completed A Spreadsheet To Find Out How Long You Can Go Without A Job
99
8%
Determined the Actual Date You Can “Just Quit” (This is Your “Just Quit” Date)
97
8%
Talked to Others Who Have “Just Quit”- Listened to Their Stories/What They Did (Note: You will not find many people who’ve had the courage to do this. Most people stay stuck or wait until they find another job.)
81
7%
Written Your Resignation Letter (You MUST do this and give proper notice. NO EXCEPTIONS.)
80
7%
General Comments From June 2013 Respondents:
General Comments – Please feel free to add any other comments
“I’m depressed, anxious, stressed, and contemplate suicide at work. I’m physically sick from the depression, anxiety and stress, and being sick at work only makes the mental problems worse, which starts a cycle. My boss is an a–hole with unrealistic demands. I have to do all of my work, plus extra, plus clean up my co-worker’s half-a–ed job.” ~Comment from a Worker in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
As I was analyzing the stats from the survey and preparing this post the above comment came in around noon on June 1st. Since this came in in June it would not have made the May 31st cut-off, BUT go back and re-read that quote. It depicts the depths of pain that people are in today. Remember this when you walk by someone at work or on the street. Depression Caused by Job Stress is Real and Can Cause People To Contemplate Suicide. This is a very serious situation.If you are a someone who can help me identify resources – not to make a buck off of people, but for FREE – just to help people who are in this particular situation and suffering, please get in touch with me.
Yet another month has passed. For some people EVERY workday is a struggle to just survive. Hopefully this survey and it’s results will help bring light to this plight of today’s workers – who are, as it seems from the survey results, experiencing this all over the world.
If you’ve never been there – where you want to quit your job without another one, no matter what – then you can not truly understand this particular pain. For those who are currently experiencing this – know that you are not alone and most importantly know that this will end and you will survive this time in your life and in your career. For those of you who love someone who is in this pain – understand that this is real and try to support your loved one in their decision even though you might not understand.
Summary of Survey Results Ending May 31, 2013:
This months’ answers to the question: Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?
I can no longer take the verbal or physical abuse from this position.
Makes me hate life. makes me bitter, very mind numbing. no future.
The fit is just horrible and my anxiety and stress is unbearable as a result.
Because I hate it!
Because working conditions are unbearable, making me sick. I also feel like I am being deterred from following my dreams I can’t afford to waste another minute that can be used to pursue my dream. There is something out there better for me than the present; a more promising future.
Not inspired by what I’m doing
Working very hard and achieving nothing
Don’t agree with the strategy or lack of strategy on the work and how it has been put together
The company has no strong work ethic ethos, lots of people doing the bare minimum
No transparency in pay
Often projects are under resourced meaning that we fail to delivery quality work on time
I want to write graphic novels and scripts and paint portraits and stories
I’m moving and can’t handle additional transportation costs. My current job is also actively worsening my depression.
I am thinking about quitting my job for several reasons:1. I am tired of getting up at 5:15 every week day.2. I spend 2 hours a day on the road 3. I do not have support of administration in trying to do my best to educate students.4. I have been moved 3 times in 2 years. 5. I find myself unable to do anything at the end of the day other than come home, eat, watch t.v. and go to bed; no energy left over. 6. I am ready for a change.
Organizational changes resulted in my being pushed into a lesser role than I had previously.
I don’t enjoy what I do and need the time and stress-free experience to find out what I truly want to do. The enjoyment of the job is no longer there and there is no motivation to try and excel at what I’m doing. It has crept over into my personal life, making me less happy as a person overall.
Because I start to panic on Sunday evening when I think about going to work on Monday. Because I stay up as late as possible to postpone the inevitable. Because I feel like a fish out of water at my job. Because I have been getting sick frequently, gained weight, and have skin problems because of the stress. Because I stopped caring about the things I used to enjoy. Because I truly don’t want to do anything in the evenings or weekends because I’m just so exhausted from my job.
No passion, the job is not my fit. I am miserable in it. The job is not working for me.
I feel like the job I’m doing now it’s not taking me anywhere, it frustrates me always. I think it is time to let go and move forward
Because my job is very stressful and I feel I get treated unfairly
Very unhappy and feel like I should be doing more with my life. I am tired of working for someone else and literally dread coming into the office everyday. I literally hate my boss and tolerate her only because I have too but each day it gets harder to do and I feel very strongly that if this is how my life is going to be I’d rather not be in it!
IT FXXXXXX SUCKS AXXXXXX (admin – removed profanity)
I do not like working in a cubicle and I am not passionate about what I do. I feel stuck and unmotivated at my job. I am just doing it for a paycheck, and I don’t even need as much money as I am making. I feel there are more fulfilling and enjoyable job opportunities out there for me. I want to be in the right mindset before looking for jobs, so I am going to quit, take a month off, and then look for another job.
It is an unhealthy, abusive environment for me. I find myself in tears one way or another related to the job I take as many vacation days as I can just to avoid having people yelling at me all day. I have already had one breakdown because of this and I consider doing physical harm to myself every day just to find ways to get out of a day of work. I dread coming in every day to the point where I am generally late…. which only adds more stress. This job gives me migraines and other server health issues due to stress that have started manifesting more and more frequently. In addition to that I have extreme and lasting emotional duress due to this job… it is a very negative job and I’ve been doing it so long that when I have time off there is a noticeable difference in mood and attitude towards life in general… which I have noticed is seriously hindering my ability to not only look for new work but to look like a positive loving candidate that will be able to contribute to another company.
I am frustrated with the job.
I am just a helping boy at the job. Handicapped job profile. Irritated with the working culture.
Because I am done with stressing and coming to work everyday, where I feel why I have to see my boss. I hate being ordered around, and that’s what my new boss does
I know this job is not my passion. I feel strongly that although I do not have the business plan lined up, I need time to develop the ideas and to generate the creativity to make it worth everything. I have a boss who is abusive and there is little room for success and mobility. I’m stuck.
12 – 14 hours a day plus 3 hour commute, toxic boss, work stress causing health issues
I am not happy. I am unable to sleep peacefully. My health is degrading.
I feel unappreciated and humiliated at work. I don’t care to about learning insurance and my skills as a therapist are becoming less and less relevant. I hate being talked down to and yelled at by clients and providers. I hate that my time is micromanaged down to the minute and it’s starting to overflow into my personal life. I am in physical pain everyday, and have become so depressed that my appearance has changed. I don’t like what I see in the mirror. I am depressed on the weekends just thinking about having to go into work on Monday and am completely drained on the weekends. I’m too tired, discourage and too depressed to look for another job, and I’m afraid that they will notice that I look depressed and not offer me a job.
I really hate my job, the work atmosphere is very negative, and it’s a long commute. I cry driving home from work; feel sick all weekend especially Sunday because I have to go back into work Monday. I feel work is all about the next mistake, not about how well you do the job.
I do not like what I do. I feel empty inside. I feel like my life is a waste. I could be doing something more meaningful and important.
I cannot seem to get the clarity and focus to even figure out what I am passionate about. It seems to me I just may need to remove the stress, and tension that the corporate grind promotes before I can really move in the right direction.
Want to focus on another career path/field.
My job is making me dull and unimaginative. This is not the job I want to do. It makes me sad when I wake up in the mornings.
I am ready to quit because the workplace is incredibly toxic. There is no work life balance and my bosses don’t give me clarity on my job.
I feel unappreciated and undervalued, my boss does not listen, it is manual, the data entry is killing my arm, I pulled my side muscle lifting boxes, the boss is always making snide remarks about someone, and I got my past co worker a job and it has been a hell hole since.
I am not happy
It does not feel like the right job
Stats After Four Months of Gathering Data:
Total of 144 Respondents (13 in Feb; 17 in Mar; 55 in Apr and 59 in May)
Gender: (has almost always been a 60/40 split):66% Female, 34% Male
Income Levels: (even though most make under $50k the comments about why folks need to quit are about poor job fit, abusive supervisors and toxic work cultures)
60% – Under $50,000
32% – $50,000 – $100,000
8% – Over $100,000
Locations: Top 3 countries: United States 64%; Canada 13% and Europe 9%
Total of 15 CountriesResponding: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Finland, Malta, Philippines, Singapore,
In May we added: Kuwait, Bahamas, Egypt, and Hong Kong
United States Stats: Top 3 States Responding: California, New York and Illinois
More than Half of the United States of America is represented with 31 States: California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, D.C., Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Washington, Iowa, Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, and New Mexico
In May we added: Virginia, North Carolina Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Maryland and New Hampshire
The 10 Steps to Get Prepared to “Just Quit”?
54% have completed a spreadsheet to find out how long they can go without a job (you don’t HAVE to do this spreadsheet, but it helps to see exactly where you are financially. Most people stay stuck because of financial obligations. If you do the spreadsheet, figure out how much money or assets that you have EVERYWHERE – it might surprise you what resources you have.)
71% have saved (or have access to) enough money for basic expenses for 6 months (having this cushion frees your mind considerably to be able to make the decision…if you are here then move to step 3 and figure out what you want to do)
71% have a general idea or specific plan about what they really want to do (This is where most people get stuck again, trying to figure out what they are good at. For this step start with thinking about when you were a child and what you excelled at. If you can’t remember ask who ever was there to help raise you – mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles. What you are looking for are your natural aptitudes. What comes naturally for you? What is your natural expression? Sometimes as we get older this gets sucked out of us just by sheer life and obligations or we think EVERYONE is good at the thing that comes natural to us so we don’t see its value. If you can’t figure out what turned you on as a kid then find a hobby. If you don’t have a hobby – find one this week. Yes I know this is a tall order while you are depressed, but just try. All we are looking for at this point is some of your natural talents to come forth.)
76% thought about “the story” they will tell about “Just Quitting” (while between employment) – (You could be out of work for one week, one month,or one year, but rest assured folks are going to ask you” “What do you do?” You need to have a ready prepared positive affirming statement of what you are going to say. There is some great new research on a social science technique called Story Editing – it’s a key to Just Quitting –– use it — )
42% talked to others who have “Just Quit” – (No matter what that person’s “story” is, it will let you know that if other people can do it, did it and survived then you will too. It only seems insurmontable but you’ll get get over, under or beyond this challenge.)
88% have thought about how the decision will impact their families (- BUT – don’t let that stop you from moving forward just factor it in your decision.)
58% have determined the actual date that they can “Just Quit” (this is when you mark it on your calendar, on your phone, get a countdown widget and count down the years/months/weeks/days — it’s liberating and something to look forward to which makes the days you are still in your job more bearable)
40% have already written their resignation letter (You don’t want to submit it yet, but have it ready to go. This will activate the universe to help make it a reality. It’s like it “downloads” a program and things start to sort themselves out. Just imagine when you download a program to your computer or phone — writing this letter and reading and re-reading this letter – sort of gives the universe (God, the Source, Infinite Wisdom) the signal to start the wheels in motion — it signals that you’re ready – it helps you to be able to walk out that door for the last time).
55% have thought about how they will celebrate when they “Just Quit” (Start thinking about this now because this “creates” your new life…you can be a part of co-creating YOUR life as it is unfolding.Don’t wait until you’re out the door, that’s too late and within two weeks you’ll be BACK to depressed asking yourself Now What?)
General Comments From May 2013 Respondents:
I’m going in circles and feel if I don’t quit soon I’ll go nuts
I have dreamed about starting in a new situation. Also, I have had people share they are praying I will find a new job.
I recently graduated college and was extremely lucky to land a decent-paying job within 2 weeks of graduation. And now that I’ve been working for a while, I regret not spending more time discovering who I want to be and what I truly want to do. The job was almost given to me and I felt pressured to accept. Now I’m stuck with the thought of blinking my eyes and being 30 with the same boring job and now real life experiences to say that I have genuinely enjoyed my time.
It’s going to be hard without a job but it is a chance I’m willing to take. This survey is going to help me do the right thing for myself
Currently going to school for a different profession.
I am an artist. I am capable of creating so many different things. I don’t have a business plan, but I’ve seen plenty of artists take their art and open businesses, freelance, while using marking savvy and the web (I have a handle on these things as well) to grow their business. I know I can do it, but haven’t taken the leap of faith. Those around me do not have the same confidence in me.
I am so miserable at what I do and have lost interest in my job since day 1!
If You’re Still Reading This It’s Probably Because You’ Feel Hopeless in a Miserable Job…Don’t Worry…You’ll Get Out of This…One Morning You Will Wake Up…JOYFUL
So How Do you Find Out What Turns You On and How Do You Follow Your Bliss?
I found an interesting assessment called the StrengthsFinder 2.0. Seems from my research that the assessment gives you your top five strengths but then leaves you hanging on how to use them. Here are the 34 talents that they discovered that people can have. You can start by just looking for your top 5-7 and then trying to make sure your current or next job or project or business includes your top strengths.
The point is to figure out your strengths and then use those strengths to Do What Turns You On and Follow Your Bliss. Seems simple but it will take some effort on your part.
Let Go of What You Know For Sure Is Not Making You Happy
