You took a job you were excited about. A job you really liked. And then somewhere along the way things shifted. Maybe new people came in, or people you really loved left. Maybe the company is under new ownership, and the culture is different.
Whatever changed, you can’t shake the feeling that it’s time to go. Your job is bringing you more stress and more unhappiness than you can take. And the sacrifices aren’t feeling worth it anymore.
Life is too short to spend most of your time at a job you can’t stand, so here are some tips to help you make your way out.
Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash
Tips for leaving a toxic work environment:
1. Search for positives while you search for new opportunities
You don't need to stay in a crappy work environment, but you don't want to bring that negative energy into your next experience either. At the same time as you're searching or planning for your next step, put effort into healing your relationship with your current work environment. This work often looks like defining or redefining boundaries, building self-care into your routine, and healing your nervous system's response to work stress, among other things. (Coaching can help a lot with this!)
2. Learn to read the signs.
Pay attention to the things about your current environment that you don't want in your new job. With your hindsight, reflect on what the early signs were that could have clued you in to these issues. Pay attention to similar signs when you're interviewing with new companies.
3. Focus on the good things coming.
Focus on creating your next move, instead of "burning bridges". Take action from an energy of joy and creation instead of an energy of frustration and destruction, and magical things will happen
4. Turn in your notice on a good day.
We all have good days and bad days at work. It can be tempting to let a bad day be the last straw, and just storm out without a backward glance. A wise friend once recommended to me to leave on a good day. A day when you feel connected to your job and why you liked it in the first place. This helps to cement your conviction that you're acting from your core, instead of just responding to the actions of others.
Coaching was a huge part of how I was able to leave my last full-time job with confidence. If you’d like to see if it will help you do the same, schedule your free consult now!