Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=524837

by TakingTheLeap • 17 years ago

77 101 17 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

So, I think I'm quitting my job today. I've always valued the discussions that take place here, so I thought I would solicit your input (though my mind is pretty much made up).

See, if the economy were in any other state, I wouldn't even give it a second thought. I'm pretty well-qualified for many jobs, so I think I could get another one if I needed to. But still, I have several friends who have been applying and interviewing everywhere and cannot even get a job. Yet, here I am quitting the relatively stable job I landed just 8 months ago.

I feel that it's just something I must do. I've grown very discontent (bordering on depression) since I've worked here. Though I graduated at the top of my class with Mechanical and Electrical degrees and a solid 2 1/2 years' industry experience, this company misrepresented my position pretty significantly, telling me all the cool fascinating things for which I'd be responsible. Instead, 8 months later, I'm not much more than a glorified tech support, making much less than I should be, and tolerating somewhat intolerable work conditions (like abiding by a lunch bell (yes, just like in high school)).

Anyway, the point of this solicitation is not to rant or bad-mouth an employer. Rather, it's simply to ask, am I off my rocker for quitting in these hard economic times? I've been working on building a web-based company for the past couple years. It's really close to taking off, but not quite paying the bills just yet. I also have a web development company to help fund the startup. Recently, a (really cool) friend who owns a bigger, more successful web development company, approached me about contracting their extra work out to me. As it turns out, they have enough extra work to keep me busy for at least a few months (probably much more), and I'd be making more than I make here. In addition, I've got a couple months worth of expenses already saved up as well.

What do you guys think? I think I'm ready to stop hating 5/7ths of my life, regardless of economic conditions.

quellhorst• 17 years ago

I lived on my own @ 17, quit my job I had from age 14 to 18 and been on my own ever since. Just do it, you know what you should do better than anyone else.

apgwoz• 17 years ago

Go for it! If you're depressed, that's reason enough to seek change. If you have a web business that's "close to taking off," ensure that it happens by taking the plunge. Make it take off!

theklub• 17 years ago

Its not worth staying somewhere you hate. You only live once. I say quit the job and work on the web thing.

lrm2422• 17 years ago

Life is too short to be unhappy, especially with what you do during most of your waking day. Bail out, find some thing better, and at worst enjoy some time off. I'm also assuming you've already spoken with your hiring manager to ensure that they can't fix the situtation?

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

I have been reprimanded for such atrocities as my lunch hour not matching exactly with the bell, and for talking casually to a co-worker. They have been running their company this way for a long time and have had many many people quit for that exact reason. They have not changed anything yet, I have no reason to believe they would if I talk to them, nor do I have much desire to stay if they do.

lrm2422• 17 years ago

Good enough, sounds terrible. Bail out, what are you waiting for! :)

gcheong• 17 years ago

I've worked 16hr days during the summer in Alaskan canneries and there aren't very many jobs that are as time pressured to get things done as that. Every minute of down time is potentially lost money. That said, I never saw anyone being reprimanded for not getting back right on the whistle (we did have one - I was the person blowing it for a while) or for talking casually with a co-worker. We had to screw around every once in a while just to stay sane. I would quit for these reasons alone.

lbrandy• 17 years ago

There is no "think". There is "do" and "do not".

Sounds like you've made your decision and you just want a push. And since you've asked here, instead of anywhere else, you know that we will push. And that's what you want. You are just a tiny bit insecure and want someone else to say it, but you've subconsciously guaranteed you'll get the push you want.

Ok then, I'll oblige.

DO IT! It sounds like you can afford it. Bad economic times are a good time to start. If you can survive through these times, you'll be positioned to explode when things take off. You don't have major financial obligations. You'll never regret quitting your job and taking a friggin chance. Take the chance. Embrace it. You only live life once.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

You are absolutely right. I think my main hang-up is the guilt I feel for quitting my job when so many of my friends cannot even get a job in the first place. I think maybe it's just simply unfounded.

And yes, everyone here is very good at pushing for risk and action over all else (myself included), and that is exactly why I posted here. Though, even if I had gotten the opposite reaction, I probably would have said you guys don't know what you're talking about, and then taken the plunge anyway ;-)

eru2• 17 years ago

> the guilt I feel for quitting my job when so many of my friends cannot even get a job in the first place.

So your quitting opens up a job for another guy to take. :)

omnivore• 17 years ago

I'm in a similar boat, was mulling over it hard because of the economy and people having problems finding jobs, but the last time I went out on my own, I made it work and I had a lot less going for me back then. So I felt like there was no better time and motivation to deal with the roller coaster of working for yourself is something you have to be mentally prepared for and I am now.

Good luck and don't second-guess yourself, just make sure you've got enough fail safes in place to make a go for it and don't look back.

jjs• 17 years ago

If you've got a decent cash cushion, then go for it!

(Just don't blame me later ;-)

robertgaal• 17 years ago

This is the best time to start. Marketing is easier then ever, servers are cheap, opportunities are still here. Go for it!

ghshephard• 17 years ago

We have a lunch bell at work. Actually, it's a kind of chuck-wagon like gong. Though, because it's announcing the arrival of the catered lunch, I'm guessing the circumstances are somewhat different than yours. :-)

rmason• 17 years ago

Enjoy the short period of exhiliration. Then be prepared to ride the roller coaster of emotions. You will enjoy both highs and lows that top anything in your previous experience. Once you've done it you will learn there is no better job. Best of luck!

jwilliams• 17 years ago

This is great advice.

Knowing it's going to be a rollercoaster really helps -- you don't get too caught up in the highs, and you know the lows are only temporary.

Sure you're still going to have them - but being conscious and aware makes it a lot easier.

monological2• 17 years ago

There are some tricks to help avoid the lows or at least diminish the unpleasantness.

Don't overwork yourself. Get at least 7 hours of sleep. Exercise at least 3 times a week. Keep a pulse of your venture and know when to move on if things aren't looking good. Life is short so don't kill yourself with one thing, you must iterate. Make time for family and friends.

These are some of the things I've learned over the years. Please add to this list if you think of anything else.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

These are actually my 3rd and 4th companies. I know that roller coaster well, and I love every minute of it. Unlike the droll monotony of mid- to large-company employment.

oscardelben• 17 years ago

Contact your friend and ask him if his offer is still valid and then take the opportunity.

tamewhale• 17 years ago

You'll be happier unemployed and penniless, than staying where you are and wondering what could have been I think. Having said that, I'm in a similar position and I'm not quitting anytime soon.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

Really? Why not? I'm assuming from the username, you're not much of a risk taker, but if you know you'll be happier, why not pursue it?

Steve0• 17 years ago

Go for it!

vjt• 17 years ago

I may sound like an utopian, but I think that being satisfied in what we do and how we accomplish it is the only goal to target, to be happy and satisfied. One should always seek for happiness through efforts, no matter how hard it may seem: I believe that good ones will always give you back the same goodness you were able to spend, no matter how bad the context is.

I also know that not everyone likes to do its best, and many are simply looking for the "easiest" way, but this implies abiding to some kind of lunch bell, as you described. But you're not this kind of person: it seems that you're still able to dream and tend towards something better.

So, good luck with your future projects and give good karma, you'll receive it back! :).

qaexl2• 17 years ago

I think the kind of work that satisfies the deep parts of us ends up being the kind that looks harder and takes more effort.

Being mindful of the present, as you advise, is a good practice in my opinion. They clear up enough confusion to gain insight about oneself. Sometimes, those insight tells you to move on. I don't buy that it is the only goal to target, and one should always seek for happiness through efforts, as those beliefs becomes attachments and delusions over time. They're simply there because someone hasn't gained insight to themselves yet.

sachinag• 17 years ago

Wait, you hate your day job, but you've already lined up both your next big idea and the means to fund it while it gets going? And now you're here asking for permission?

Seriously, dude or dudette, what more do you need? An engraved invitation to follow your heart from Cupid?

chaosmachine• 17 years ago

Quitting my day job and starting my own business was the best decision of my life.

It's a risky move in any economy. The potential downside is losing everything you own. If you find that motivating, rather than paralyzing, you're probably on the right path.

manish• 17 years ago

Go for it, may be I will follow you!

qaexl2• 17 years ago

What is the conventional advice given during a depression/recession?

Keep your head down, keep a stable job, keep that income coming in, you're better off than all those other poor sods on the street.

What is the conventional advice given during boom times?

Get a new house, a new car, a new TV, consume, consume, consume. Don't worry about debt, since you're always going to make more. Don't like your job? Quit it now and get a better one to your satisfaction.

There is no doubt that the current economic situation is affecting the relative ability for someone to acquire income. However, if you have your current job in your current situation say, two years ago during the boom, would you feel any different? I'd say you would feel less anxious about surviving, yet, you wouldn't be as driven to succeed in your new endeavor simply because at the back of your mind, there's that safety cushion of getting another job.

If you don't have any dependents and no sigificant debt, I think you would be off your rockers to stay where you are.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

No dependents, yes significant debt (student loans). But oh well, as everyone else seems to be in agreement with, you only live once!

stewiecat• 17 years ago

Student loans can be deferred or stretched out for decades, plus the interest is deductible (for some folks). I wouldn't worry about them unless they're huge (100K+).

frosty• 17 years ago

hey man,

i also quit around a month ago and have now been thinking why i did'nt do it earlier. bad economy or good economy, i don't think it should make much of a difference.

actually i think this is a good time to start, less competition and also, if we can make something which is making good enough money, when economy becomes better. people will be running after few good startups around.

garply2• 17 years ago

Regarding competition, I'd expect less from established players in the market, but as unemployment rises, shouldn't the number of startups go up as well?

time_management2• 17 years ago

Honestly? Unless you have your exit pretty well hammered down, you should try to save your job, even if that means having uncomfortable conversations or going over your boss's head. You say that your friends have "enough extra work to keep [you] busy". Try to get something in writing before jumping ship. "I'll send work your way" from a well-intended friend is not a guarantee.

The economy really sucks right now. Unless you have a guarantee of income (e.g. letter of employment) you should do whatever you can to save your job. Talk to your boss about the issue, and if he doesn't make things better, talk to your boss's boss. Insecure middle managers love to pull shit like bait-and-switch, but somewhere up the food chain, there is someone who would not want this to happen to a talented person (either that, or you're at a shitbag company) and you just have to find him. Now is the time to work aggressively to repair the situation-- the worst that can happen is that you get fired, but in that case you get severance and unemployment, as opposed to the $0.00 you get if you quit.

Regarding depression, it's probably not just your job. I love what I do and I'm bordering on clinical depression right now; the fact that my career could easily go to hell (something statistically impossible two years ago) and that society might collapse, although neither is likely, doesn't lead to happy thoughts.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

Oh, I definitely am not quitting before having something in writing! They're suppose to get it to me by lunch today.

wallflower2• 17 years ago

Another alternative is to ask for a unpaid leave of absence. That will give them time to reconsider and you time to think and do.

garply2• 17 years ago

I don't think you should really let the state of the economy affect you that much one way or the other. As the owner of a fledgling company, you'll have a lot of flexibility to adapt to the market as needed. The people who are in trouble are more likely to be established businesses who have already built a lot of infrastructure designed to extract profit from revenue sources that are currently drying up. This leaves them unpleasantly stuck with the overhead for that infrastructure but not the expected profit. Unless you're running around looking for capital (which is probably expensive in terms of equity right now), I'd guess you'll be relatively unscathed by the economy.

Allocator2008• 17 years ago

If I were you I'd look at the math. If your friend can off load enough web development work on you for you to get by at least for the next few months, enough time for this web-based company you have been working on to ramp up, then do it. If not, don't, not in this economy. Only do it if you are sure you can fly on your own, and won't have to be out looking for another job soon.

briancooley• 17 years ago

Here's a mental exercise: 1) Decide what is the worst that could happen. 2) Assume that it happens. 3) Is it really so bad? 4) How could you recover?

Do it for both leaving and staying. I was surprised to learn that the worst thing that could happen to me in my job was that I continue to have success, further chaining me to a job for which I have no passion.

I have a different situation than you (married with a young child), but answering those questions has encouraged me to make a 2-year plan to get out. Two years because that is when my child will start going to school full-time and my wife will presumably go back to work, providing us with affordable health insurance.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

You read the 4 Hour Work Week, didn't you? :-)

ErrantX• 17 years ago

You've already quit your job :)

The best advice in this economy is to get your head down and stick in your job till things pick up again.

But, you know, were not here because we do what were told or are supposed to do. :) so get outta there and go make some real money (belief!).

mooders• 17 years ago

DO IT! I did exactly this after some soul-searching with my wife over xmas '08. We figured that with my energy, ambition, ideas and so forth I could make something good happen within a few months. Handed my notice in on 5th January. Left on the 12th. Happy as I have ever been on the 13th and stayed that way ever since :)

blackguardx• 17 years ago

Have you made anything good happen? I ask because I am also contemplating the same move. I am wondering if the economic environment precludes it.

biohacker42• 17 years ago

I have no idea if your startup will succeed, but quitting the lunch bell is definitely the right decision. The worst that could happen is you fail and find work for some other company.

nullproc• 17 years ago

There will never be a good time to do anything. You will always be able to find at least one reason in favor or against making any decision.

No one person can tell you whats best for you. The only real advice I would give it to stop teetering and make a hard decision one way or another. Once you've done that, take a second to breathe; congratulate yourself on your decision...and then embrace it.

If you decide to keep your job, make the decision to make the absolute best of the situation, commit 100% to being the best you possibly can while you are there. Likewise, if you quit, go after your next opportunity with all the energy you have.

The bottom line is that you will never be happy if you are constantly second guessing the decisions you make in life. So instead, make the decision that you feel is best for you and don't look back.

Thoughts point us in the right direction, but only actions will get us to our destination.

juliend2• 17 years ago

I think that quitting your job for going freelance (doing something you're passionate about) is actually a safer choice. Dont let your fear lead you to making poor decisions (like say, working for a client you dont like, because its never worth the money). Who knows, maybe your current job would lay people off and you would not be as well prepared as you seem to be right now. Take the chance, you will not regret it. And during the time you'll work for your friend, im sure you'll find plenty of other opportunities because people will know that you're free for some contracts.

Best luck.

GeneralMaximus• 17 years ago

> As it turns out, they have enough extra work to > keep me busy for at least a few months (probably > much more), and I'd be making more than I make here.

It seems you're pretty safe financially. Just saying.

wlievens• 17 years ago

1) You've got a business that already has some money flow; 2) You've got a safety net to bring in extra cash (the friend that can contract out to you);

What are you waiting for?

blender• 17 years ago

There is ALWAYS work for bright, hard-working people. You sound like you've thought things through and even prepared a bit - do it!

Rivers always reach the sea...

Cheers

grosales• 17 years ago

If you are miserable, it's really that simple. Just do it. Everybody is unique, and it's your fault your friends cannot find a job. It will be your fault if you keep being miserable. You hold all the cards.

squidbot• 17 years ago

There are so many variables in a decision like this that you've not covered. Just to name a few:

- Do you have a family that relies on your paycheck? - Do you have enough in savings and little enough in debt that you can survive given that the "extra work" could dry up? - Are you focused enough to be your own boss? - If you aren't successful and can't find a job, do you have a fall back when the money runs out, like living with your parent, a working spouse/partner, etc?

The thing is, no one but you can answer those questions, and no one else can assess the amount of risk you're personally willing to stomach.

I guess what I'm trying to say is coming here for advice seems like a poor stratagem. You should really be asking yourself and people who know you well, they'll give you much better feedback than an anonymous group.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

Just to clarify, I have already done a personal risk analysis. I have discussed this decision with my family, my friends, my business partners, and my mentor over the past week and a half. I have a few month's savings already, and I am well-qualified for many positions that are open in the area should I need to take one.

As I stated in the first line of the post, I've already made up my mind, and I was just soliciting additional feedback from a group of peers, whom I trust. I'm sure everyone else here would agree that getting feedback from as many sources as possible, is on the contrary, a very good "strategem" for any decision (btw, the word you're looking for is "strategy," a "stratagem" is a type of strategy used to deceive someone).

And finally, I see that you are new to this group. From experience I can tell you that this group is far from being anonymous. We are a very tight-nit, common-interest-bound group of thoughtful and contributing individuals.

herval• 17 years ago

"We are a very tight-nit, common-interest-bound group of thoughtful and contributing individuals"

your account is 4 days old - plus there's no visible email, name or any other sort of id in any account... So yes, I'd say you're pretty much anonymous (like most people here)....

bluefish• 17 years ago

I spent two years working a job that got me so depressed by the end I couldn't even get out of bed to go to work. I mean clinically depressed, not just metaphorically. So as someone who has been there; quit. You may have to buy a lower grade of peanut butter for a couple months at Trader Joe's but your freedom and your happiness are priceless.

Sure, the economy isn't great but our society (I'm assuming you're American) has come up with this notion that if you don't have a job at some big company as your parachute you're somehow going end up living in a van down by the river. WRONG. I quit that terrible job and traveled the world, and let me tell you I'm still here in one piece and haven't had to look for used vans yet. Since traveling I've ended up in jobs I didn't like but found it much easier to quit those and move on when I've been unhappy; that was the freedom I learned from having that first bad job experience. Now I know I can leave an employment position and my life won't fall apart.

All that said, don't do anything stupid like quit with no money in the bank. You're still going to have to realistically pay bills and you may end up needing to take a job that's not so glorious after leaving this one to help you get from point A to point B. If you do, make the most of those experiences. Know they too are temporary and only there to help you get to your end goal. Set a timeframe so you know those temporary jobs will eventually come to an end. Stay focused on where you want to be and you will get there.

[edit] I'll also add, don't quit and leave your current company hanging. Give them the proper two weeks (minimum) notice. Try to leave without burning any bridges, regardless of how little you like your current job.

54321• 17 years ago

Quit!

I'm quitting my job Monday next week. I don't know what I'm doing next or how I'll support my family. Those answers will come - but if I keep coming to this job everyday it will kill me.

monological2• 17 years ago

If you don't have food to eat, that will also kill you.

philcrissman• 17 years ago

I did something similar in June of last year (left a job to begin contracting/consulting), and I didn't even have much in the way of extra expenses saved up. There have been a few times as the economy dipped that I wondered if I was crazy, but so far work has continued to be busy, here. YMMV.

So, are you crazy to quit? I have no idea, but I wish you the best! For myself, I'm sure I made the right choice, so take that for what it's worth, and have fun!

chez17• 17 years ago

I find that many people in your situation make this all or nothing decision when it doesn't have to be. Why not start looking for a new job today and when you actually find one, then quit. No need to put so much pressure on yourself. If you can't find a job within a month or two, well then your question is answered, don't quit. If you can find a better job, then get out of there.

ferguman• 17 years ago

I left my job in the 90's with less 'life line' then you appear to have. I've owned my own company (in partnership with others) ever since. With the things you've done on the side you appear to be on the ball and ready for it. I was lucky to have partners who compensated for my weaknesses. It sounds like you even have that base sort of covered with the people you know in the industry.

You mention guilt about others not finding jobs in this economy. Think about it this way: If you start your own thing maybe you could end up hiring people into a company that doesn't have a lunch bell (do u guys play dodge ball after lunch on the playground - that would be cool). In other words as a company owner you can shape the world more than you can as an employee (potentially).

If you're a methodical planning type you might want to slow down and do some paper and pencil introspection. I used a book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1883487242?tag=openlibr-20) back in the day (circa 1992) to plan my transition from a day job to a self employed person. This book has questionnaires that are aimed at determining whether you are the type of person that can survive on your own. I flunked them all and went ahead and quit my job anyway (just because I wanted to) but the book did remove my illusions that it would be easy for me to make it on my own.

Anyway - good luck and get yourself happy.

Joe

alecco• 17 years ago

If it's a good pay, perhaps you could offer your employer to do contract jobs mostly working from home. This way you get an easier transition money-wise. It all depends on many factors about your current job.

jacobroufa• 17 years ago

I think you will be making the right decision.

A year ago, I was working for a web design firm working with the Drupal content management system. I wasn't the greatest at it, but I was in the position to learn and grow my skillset and not have people upset at me for getting things in late or asking questions... rather they were excited because I was learning and saw the potential I saw in myself. Needless to say, I wasn't working there too much longer, for personal reasons. However, I missed the job like no other. I had finally found a job I could truly love.

After that, with the economy the way it has been, I bounced from a tree care company (working with a friend, not so terrible) to a fast food restaurant (horrible, never again) and then to a call center providing tech support for Blackberry phones to people who under other circumstances should seriously find a twelve step program for their addiction to those damned devices. Bouncing around, I thought I would never get the opportunity I once had. I missed it terribly and pined for it regularly.

And then I found it. After two weeks working part time as a contractor, I was asked to leave my job because they (my new employer) knew they could provide me with enough work and I was doing better than they expected as far as quality of work and timeliness of delivery were concerned. I didn't give it a second thought. I hate not working with the web. I am totally and thoroughly enamored by this technology and know that if I could stay in this career field I will be happy.

The point is... do what you love. Don't hesitate, don't second guess, just do it. You won't regret it. :)

HeyLaughingBoy• 17 years ago

Sometimes you need to do the irrational to keep your sanity. Only you know if it's worth it.

racerboy• 17 years ago

Another perspective might be to quit mentally, but keep going in every day (so you can collect the paycheck, ins., etc). If you can allow yourself to get over the feeling you "have" to be there everyday, you will feel empowered. Don't let them get to you, you need to feel like you have the upper hand. So, let go of the fear and uncertainty of not having a job, embrace the fact that you can leave at any minute and you will feel much better. Once you know you can leave at any minute and the job doesn't define you, they no longer have control over you. In the meantime, go and look for another job or figure out what you want to do; when everything is lined up you can stop going to your job. Good luck

Mistone• 17 years ago

done deal, your in a good spot to make the move. Take the first step and increase in work hours, hacking, and networking by 2x and you will be in a great position in 3-4 months. good luck!

omarseyal• 17 years ago

My one recommendation would be to have a plan. Don't quit your job or start a startup just to do so - just because you feel like that's what people on HN do. Do it for a reason - an organic solution you've derived form a problem you see in your life is best. And have a plan, as to how you want to attack that solution and problem. While the plan will likely become obsolete in a week, it helps you iterate when you've already thought about where you're headed...

To answer your question directly though; no, there's nothing wrong with quitting your job.

nostrademons• 17 years ago

With only a couple months of expenses saved up, you're taking a big risk. It sounds like you could live a couple months off savings and a few months off contracting. I have no idea what the economy will be like in 6 months, but you will probably not have enough revenue from your web startup to fund yourself. You may from contracting - good developers always seem to be in demand, even in bad economic times - but the contracting market is hurting from the economy too.

OTOH, there're risks to staying in a dead-end job too, particularly to your sanity. It sounds pretty bad. And sanity is not something you should sacrifice for money.

Honestly, if I were in your position, I'd do it. But acknowledge the risk you're taking and take steps to mitigate it. Cut your expenses to a bare minimum and line up contracting jobs well before you need them. It really sucks looking for work when you're running out of money - you're in a much better bargaining position if you've got income and plenty of savings.

neilo• 17 years ago

Go for it, man, and since we're quoting things:

"Well, the funny thing about regret is: it's better to regret something you have done, than to regret something you haven't."

truebosko• 17 years ago

I say quit and try it out. You're young (from what I can tell)

I told my boss I was quitting about a month ago during our year-end reviews. I'm leaving in July and trying something entirely new, in a new city to boot.

On the down side, I haven't found a job yet but I haven't really sped up my search quite yet so I'm not worried. :)

I say, go for it! The worst thing you can do is keep thinking about it.

mdcorey• 17 years ago

do it. once you've reached that stage with a job, there's no coming back. I recently went through the same situation where i decided to quit my corporate job to pursue my start-up (www.probuddy.com) full time. the decision will certainly put some pressure on you (financially and socially), but this will be productive pressure.

Vivtek• 17 years ago

Do it.

critic• 17 years ago

You can quit, or you can tell your bosses that you are overqualified for the job and ask for a raise and promotion. Then you can quit. The latter can be seen as an experiment and a life lesson. If you are quitting anyway, you have nothing to lose there.

kaiserama• 17 years ago

I was faced with the exact same scenario as you about a month and a half ago. At that time the economy was bad but the massive layoffs hadn't really started in earnest.

I had been toying with the idea of just leaving cold turkey but the logical/risk adverse side of me kept saying it wasn't a good idea since I had a great paying job at a solid company with excellent benefits.

But as the days wore on with me feeling like I was literally withering my life away I decided that it was time for me to crap or get off the toilet. So I turned in my notice on the same day Obama was inaugurated (figured it was a nice metaphor for my life change).

I had a very similar situation as you, with a friend who had a lot of contract work he could farm to me. This work pretty much paid all the expenses (I know PG doesn't encourage even doing this, but this was about as risk adverse as I could get comfortably). The first day of not going into a cube was magnificent. The second day, some shock set in, but now a month and a half later and I will say it's been a very good decision. Work and opportunities are just piling in and I have a number of other business projects in the pipe.

Now I work really hard but I take time out to do what I want, when I want. I go for a run after checking some email, I meet friends for long lunches, then I crank on code til 1am, and while I am doing more 'work' I feel like my life is much much more fulfilling.

I would say you're actually playing it more safe than many who have quit their job and you're in a great position to be successful and lead the life you want.

Hope this rambling helped in some way, and whatever you decide to do I hope you find success and fulfillment.

Cheers

dustineichler• 17 years ago

If you quit, you won't get unemployment if things go bad. Sounds like you already have more income lined up though. No time like the present to start something. I see more opportunity now than ever before.

pasbesoin• 17 years ago

Definitely get out of there. However, I'd suggest considering keeping the current job while you look for the next one. If you are looking for a "standard/real" job, being currently employed seems to be viewed as a plus. And it may take some pressure off, money/benefits wise, so that you don't end up feeling the need to take whatever ends up being available/offered.

This approach may still make you feel somewhat better. Once you know you are getting out of the current situation, its annoyance becomes a temporary inconvenience. Still a hassle, but not one you are going to endure indefinitely.

On the other hand, a job does take up a lot of time and energy, particularly traditional business hours. And -- as I know from personal experience -- a bad situation can become so soul sucking that it becomes paralyzing.

Derrek2• 17 years ago

Dude, quit your job and move to Thailand (or some other cheap place) while you work on your web businesses. The cost of living there is super cheap so your daily expenses will be low and your savings will last longer. Plus, you'll get a chance to explore the world. It's not nearly as hard as people think.

Good luck.

Here's a good article that discusses this idea: http://www.expatsoftware.com/articles/2008/05/laid-off-one-t...

derwiki• 17 years ago

I've read the original post, and this is something I've given serious thought to. Is there a good health insurance solution though?

Derrek2• 17 years ago

Over there, health care in general is super cheap (compared to the USA), and there are plenty of good hospitals/dentists/etc. in Bangkok. I'd bet they're good and cheap in Phuket too. You could probably even pay cash for services like annual dental and vision checkups.

I've signed up with WorldNomads.com for general accident insurance. I've never gotten sick or hurt so I can't personally vouch for the claim process. However, they're recommended by Lonely Planet and a bunch of other notable travel sites. They're worth checking out.

Also you could check out the Lonely Planet message boards too.

geuis• 17 years ago

Do it. I did last Friday and am not looking back.

yason• 17 years ago

It won't and it shouldn't matter much what we say.

We can't load you with courage and send you off, although if you're still hesitating a bit we might be able to scare you enough to make you postpone your plans for a while.

Only you know what you can take now. Maybe you're ready after six months, maybe you're ready now.

Just make sure it's your own calling, and not a choice of ours or of anyone who (you think) will expect something from you. Don't live someone else's life. Live yours instead and find out that it's you who's granted to get to decide everything.

keltecp11• 17 years ago

How'd it Go?

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

I'll do an update post ;-) Some unexpected events took place, but all in all, it went well.

anotherjesse• 17 years ago

If you know you are leaving then perhaps try to renegotiate?

Perhaps doing the job part-time would allow you to have time to do meaningful work on your own while not giving 100% of your stable income.

Perhaps there is an option that will leave you and the company happy.

robotrout2• 17 years ago

I quit my job with a baby on the way, 20 months ago. In that time, the economy has tanked, so even if I wanted to go back to work, I wouldn't be able to find one anywhere near my old salary.

Am I sorry? No. I'm still very, very happy I had the guts to take the plunge and do it. The fear of not having a steady paycheck is much worse than the reality. Now that I know that, even if I do get another job, it won't have the same psychological hold over me.

However...

I had worked a lot longer than you have, before I made that plunge. While I wish I had done it earlier, I think that 2.5 years is too early. At 2.5 years into your career, you're still an apprentice. You have a lot that corporate life can still teach you.

Here's what I did.

Every time I felt like you feel, I found another job. I found it before I quit my first job, the safe way. After about 2.5 years, almost like clockwork, I'd feel restless, and cranky with my current status, and go find another job. I learned a lot that way and made a lot of friends.

When you think the time is near for you to take the plunge, do what I did. Say to yourself, "this job that I'm starting today will be my last job. I will not allow myself to quit it to find another job. No matter how much I hate it, I will not trade it for a new job. I will only quit when I'm ready not to have a job at all."

That vow kept me in my last job for an extra year or longer. Time I would ordinarily have just hopped to a new job. Finally, I decided my time was now, and I gave my notice, without even having any concrete plans on what kind of business I was going to build. I just knew that I needed to be free.

To summarize, my advice is to job hop for a few years when you get unhappy, just like non-entrepreneurs to. There's a lot to learn that 2.5 years won't teach you.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

I agree that there is certainly much more to learn. However, I feel that running my own few companies over the past 6 years (on the side) has taught me much more (and much more quickly) than employment has to teach. My recent elevator pitch contest wins and entrepreneur of the year award are also good motivation for me to go ahead and take the plunge. I think it's time for me to have as much confidence in myself as others seem to have.

robotrout2• 17 years ago

OK. That's fine. I wasn't really thinking about learning business things. I was thinking about learning engineering things, since you said you were ME and EE. Or are you going to bail on all that knowledge and just do software? If not, how many trips to China has your company sent you on? None? Your next one will. It's truly amazing to go over there and learn what really motivated and organized people can accomplish (with $100 per week wages)

How many times have the products you designed shown up on store shelves in multiple countries? Every country has different regulations you have to conform to, and knowing what those are will come in handy for your own company. Stay with a big company a while to learn the hoops to jump through to get your compliance certifications in Japan, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.

Anyway, good luck with your decision.

ucdaz• 17 years ago

Yeah I would totally quit and start your own company! Think of it this way since a lot of superfluous startups are dying, you'll have less competition. Plus, life is too short working for douchebags.

dirtae• 17 years ago

It sounds to me like leaving this job could be a good move. That said, I am a little worried by the tone of your post. You say that you "think" you are quitting your job today and that you've been borderline depressed. I don't think it is wise to go in and quit your job on a day when you are uncertain and still haven't made a final decision. Posting on this forum was a good move, and you've gotten a lot of high quality encouragement from other commenters which could help you make a decision. If you decide to quit your job, then go ahead, make that decision, and then sit on it for a few days. I doubt that it makes a big difference whether you quit your job today or next week. Once you're sure that you're not making a rash decision in the heat of the moment, go ahead and quit. You can use the time between now and the time you quit to plan your exit. I recommend giving a couple of weeks notice that you're leaving and winding down your job in an orderly fashion without burning bridges.

TakingTheLeap12• 17 years ago

Sorry, to clarify, the "think" part of the headline was actually due to the contingency that this friend send me the contract in time for me to read it, approve, and quit before the end of the day. It had nothing to do with uncertainty.

grinich• 17 years ago

If you love what you're doing, the "economic conditions" won't matter, and it turns out that ramen tastes a lot better when you're happy.

ironsam• 17 years ago

I would build up more savings - two months of expenses isn't much.

mvp• 17 years ago

If it is the discontent with the current job that's driving you to quit the job, it may be better to try and get another job where you think you will get a better deal and probably like the work more than you do in the current company.

You can always start a startup in any environment. You may not be able to get the job you want if the market is not good.

Save enough to be able to live at least for an year or two without the regular paychecks from a salary, before thinking of quitting your current job.

If the work you plan to do after quitting the job is really interesting to you, you could always do it on the side while doing another job.

hwijaya• 17 years ago

I was on the exact same situation last year (except, my job was great but it just me that always want to do my own startup). Therefore, i can understand what you meant by "depression" on working in something that you feel is not for you.

Anyway, my experience is, just do it (especially you have few months savings)!! Sure, day-by-day is very unexpected and you never know if you will ever have enough money to survive. But, oh man...life become much more exciting and all of a sudden the proverb "do what you'll love and you'll never work another day" become very true. It's become very fun and enjoyable experience even though times are tougher and you work much harder.

A bit of tips, just be prepared for the emotional roller-coaster.

raintrees• 17 years ago

A definite Yes. I was laid off from a tech support job, so I began my consulting career. This was 1990. I not only survived the dot.com bust, I thrived. Following your heart while satisfying a customer base is a great recipe for success.

I also think it is better not having regrets about the changes I could have made...

Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

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