“Quit Your Crappy Job” Day

Tom Cruise as “Jerry Maguire”​

The 31st March is “Quit Your Crappy Job” Day — who knew there was such a thing, but then again why should we be surprised? I’m sure that we can all name at least one of our close circle of friends who detests their job and are too stuck to know what they really want to do or, if they know the answer to that question, have the courage to quit their “crappy job”.

I was speaking with a Career Coaching client about this only last week. They wanted to leave their job and I suggested that rather than jumping out of a plane and building their parachute on the way down, they should spend time constructing their parachute whilst on the ground so that this will provide a scenic view as they leave the plane and a soft landing when they reach the bottom! In other words focussing on the process before you quit.

Be clear on why you want to leave

This can be something as simple as drawing 2 columns on a piece of paper, one headed “Reasons to Stay”, the other “Reasons to Leave”. Keep adding to this over a period of time, as ideas come into your head. Getting your thoughts out of your head and into words on a page can add a different perspective to your predicament.

Consider the “Leave” column, is there anything on there that is within your power to change? Talk through this list with a friend, confidante or coach…