Updated: December 23, 2022
A few days ago, a friend posted this on Facebook: “Don’t quit your job just because you’re unhappy. Your bills don’t care if you’re happy or not.”
Almost immediately, people started to ‘Like’ the status update. And when I saw it, I couldn’t help but leave a comment.
I replied, “Create another income source or find a new job first before quitting, but you should quit as soon as possible if you’re unhappy.”
Truth be told, I’ve met a lot of people who are admittedly not happy at work. But because they’re too afraid to go broke and not be able to pay their bills, they just choose to stay miserable in their jobs.
Having cash flow is important, and it should be a priority. However, you also need to take care of your mental and emotional well-being, or else you’ll just drift through life unhappy and full of regrets.
Why Are You Unhappy at Work?
The first question that you need to ask yourself is why are you unhappy with your job. Knowing the deep-rooted reasons will definitely help you come up with better plans of action.
Because it’s boring
When you feel unmotivated at work, then it could be one of two things. First, you might be unappreciated by your boss and peers. Or second, your job is not challenging enough.
It will help if you can ask for feedback from your supervisor and colleagues regarding your work. Sometimes, hearing words of encouragement and appreciation is all you need to overcome that unhappiness in your job.
But if the reason why you’re bored at work is that your job has become routine, then it may be time for a change. You can request your boss to transfer you to another department, project, or account; or perhaps, it’s really time to look for a new job.
Because it’s too stressful
Experiencing stress at work is normal, and you need to learn how to manage it, or else it will slowly take its toll on your productivity and your health.
There are many ways to cope with stress, especially if it’s caused by having too much workload. Learn about proper time and energy management to lessen your stress and anxiety in the office.
If that doesn’t help, then maybe you really just have too much on your plate. Talk to your supervisor and request fewer responsibilities in the next few weeks to give yourself time to re-energize. And if nothing seems to be working, then it’s a good sign that you should start looking for a new job.
Because you hate your boss and/or co-workers
You spend most of your waking hours at work, so you must spend it with people that you get along with. You don’t have to be close friends with your colleagues, but at least you should enjoy working with them.
It pays to be honest about how you feel rather than breeding contempt on their actions and attitude. Most of the time, a sincere conversation is all it takes to make things right.
However, if your work environment, especially office politics, has become unmanageable and it’s starting to affect you negatively, then don’t wait too long to find that new job.
Because your salary is too small but you need the money
First of all, realize that most people think they’re underpaid at work, so take comfort that it’s a normal feeling. What’s more important is to analyze your finances to see if you’re not really earning enough.
Track your spending and budget your income accordingly. Get rid of unnecessary expenses if your cash flow can’t afford them. Afterward, look for additional sources of income to augment your earnings.
As I’ve said, cash flow is important and should be a priority, but never settle or stay too long in a job that doesn’t make you happy and fulfilled.
Be Mindful. Make Plans. Find Success.
There are a lot of reasons why you can become unhappy at work. Analyze the cause and be mindful of what you can do to change or improve the situation.
When you’ve done your best to amend things, and nothing seems to be working, then start making concrete plans on how you can quit your job.
Unfortunately, a lot of people escape reality instead, as a means to cope with their situation.
They immerse themselves in soap operas, crave self-validation in social media, recreate their ideal world in role-playing games, or find happiness in acquiring material stuff.
These are temporary solutions to a problem that will never go away unless you face it head-on. Run away from your reality long enough and you’ll become a person that you’ll hate years down the road.
Renowned author Maya Angelou once said, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
It’s time for you to find success under that definition.
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Agree. Be driven by internal factors (what makes you happy) but still guided by external factors (bills and other responsibilities). People see situation as if they have two options only: be happy on what you do or be able to pay your bills. Where in fact, life gives us unlimited options. You don’t have to choose. You can always have both.
Thank you Fitz for motivating people like me, I’m greatful that I followed this site. Hope to learn more and most likely copy your success! More power!
It depends on the situation. If you are unhappy of the current project or task, I say give it a try. Say a year or two. Sometimes good things happens to those who waits.
But if the company is really awful, then quit right away.
I am very impatient in the past, I had around 10 employers in 10 years. And I lost a lot of opportunities because of my patience problems
Agree Sir Fritz, you need to have another source of income besides your daily job, that’s why I transition from employee to freelancing online at http://www.nextfreelancer.com .. thanks sir I learned a lot in our training
it’s a nice path going through your advises… one will never regret quitting a job if a new one is already there ready to sustain your daily needs. What is impractical of every move, if you decide without preparing any intellectual solutions of what you have been just give up… having job and good salary is not a measure of human happiness unless you learn how to love your work… human being never satisfied unless he/she knows how to count his/her blessings that God pour everyday…
I can relate very well with this post Sir Fitz. Actually, I think I have experienced all the reasons you pointed out. In my previous jobs, I have experienced stressful jobs, boring jobs and bosses/co-workers who I hate.
That is why I quickly jumped out of the corporate world when I had the opportunity and went full time into business. However, as I learned as years went by, and also because that business of mine did not really work out, it is not enough reason to quit your job just because you are unhappy.
If there’s one important lesson I learned, you must really align your passion with your job. When you love what you do, you’ll be more productive, and you won’t really feel it as work.
Then again, there are really many factors why one can become unhappy at their work. And I agree with what you said at the end. Success is relative to everyone.
Perfect article for me today. After months of thinking about quitting my job, I still haven’t submitted my resignation letter to my boss yet, though I already informed him about my plan on quitting soon. And the only reason that’s holding me back is definitely the “income” part. I’m happy with what I do but I’m beginning to dislike the new company policies and management, so now I’m trying to weigh some things.
Worth reading sir Fitz, a lot of people need to read this. Thanks for posting! 🙂
So true, I quit my job 3 months ago right after being promoted. I dearly loved that 100-year-old company but I was just so overworked. I also had other things going on in my life. My husband doesn’t have a job, I attend to my son’s school and I also attend graduate school. It got so bad that I had depression, and was near mental and emotional breakdown. But God is good. Though I did not have a back up plan then, He made it possible for me to take a break now and start living again. Part of my depression was my inability to get out of my job and find a way to earn extra or start a business. But little did I know that it’ll be husband who will bring us to financial independence. Though he did not even attended college, his previous jobs as sales clerk had helped tremendously. He was able to start an online based business. And it made me happy when he told me that I have inspired him, bec I’ve been sharing with him what I learn here. So now, I’m bringing back the credit to Sir Fitz. Thanks for always saying the most sensible things, you’re a life saver 😊 and you just say things differently – more truthfully and empathically. You understand people and although you champion financial independence, you have a clear perspective of what is important. I hope you continue doing what you do.
Overworked and underpaid,thats why…
The problem in quitting your job is it can also be a habit. A new job does not guarantee satisfaction or happiness at work. While searching for that “ideal” job, one may not notice that filing a resignation has become part of his system. Time really flies fast. So fast you might not even notice that your age is over for the job you want. In the Philippines, resigning in your job at the age of 28 is already extremely risky.
@Rej that is why Fitz he says: “Create another income source or find a new job first before quitting, but you should quit as soon as possible if you’re unhappy.â€
Having a concrete plan before taking drastic measure is important to minimize your risk.
[…] Reading this can help: Should You Quit Your Job If You’re Unhappy at Work? […]
Don’t allow others to interfere with your dreams and ambitions in life, there’s always a risk involved in every attempt. It’s rather strange but true….
Thanks for this article Im sometimes confused on what I really want..now its clear for me on what should be my next plan..thnx a lot best finding article on my confused mind. ..
[…] Reading this can help: Should You Quit Your Job If You’re Unhappy at Work? […]