The Quitting Bandwagon

As you know, I'm currently reading The Quit by Evan Harris. Ms. Harris outlines the many styles and techniques of quitting as well as the emotional ups and downs of the process. For the most part, the book seems to be a bit satirical but there have been at least a few helpful pieces of advice.

1. Tell everyone you know that you have quit or are planning to quit.

As of last week, I'd only shared my quitting plan with my nearest and dearest - those people who were most affected by the work induced depression I was going through and were most likely to support my decision.

All that is over now. I've spread the word far and wide, to the outer fringes of my social circle. I'm telling people I've just met. Evan Harris has a point here. Regardless of whether they secretly think I am making a huge mistake, everyone also secretly wishes they could quit their own job. Without exception, I've found everyone jumping on my bandwagon, congratulating me and doing their best to come up with innovative ideas for part time work.

The effect of such unabashed support is twofold. One, I have become increasingly responsible for actually going through with quitting (something I know is the right idea but still terrifies me) and two, a renewed belief in my decision. Whenever I feel myself wavering in my resolve or feeling anxious at the confrontational aspect of quitting, I tell someone else.

You, dear readers, already know about my plan but I will tell you with more emphasis.

TWO DAYS.

Less Failure = Progress?

Word has it that the last quarter of the year saw less of a decline in our economy. A decline is still a decline but I see what they're saying. We have to slow declining before we stop declining before we start improving.

I will do my best to see the glass as half full.

Click here to read the entire article on Slate.com

Let's Rewind

I know the blog has been around for a few days not but it seems as good a time as any to give you some background on myself, your intrepid blogger.

Quitsville USA is the culmination of many months of struggle in my current position with my current employer. I don't want to get personal on these hallowed pages but let's just say that I haven't been happy, challenged or respected in quite awhile. In addition, I'm no good at leaving things at work, and my unhappiness is spilling over into my personal relationship is an entirely unsustainable manner.

I've been my company for 3+ years - a good portion of that time spent learning and on a growth plan that exceeded my goals. I truly loved my job and loved the people I worked with. In short, I was intolerable at parties.

Due to new management (of the company and of myself) and some very important changes in my job description, the situation is now vastly different and requires an exit strategy. Like the end of most relationships this entails a bittersweet period of mourning - for what I once had and for what I once expected from this job.

So, here I am - mentally preparing to quit my job in an economic downturn with no sure source of employment. It's risky but I believe it's the right decision and I have a strong support network behind me.

This blog will chronicle the ups and downs (both emotionally and financially) or the quitting process and the path to a new step for my career.