Facing the Fears of Quitting Your Job

Whenever I hear people talking about following their passion or stepping out of their comfort zone, they are usually thinking about quitting their jobs.

But, as I’ve shared in some of my previous posts, roughly about 7 out of 10 clients who would come to me for coaching as they go through this dilemma, end up actually staying in their current jobs for a while or for good.?

DISCLAIMER: Please know that this article is not meant to encourage you to quit. Quitting is a decision that you shouldn’t take lightly. It’s also not something that other people should decide on your behalf.?

Consider the article below if you’re in a state of stuckness:

For those of you who have already done thorough introspection and reflection, and are certain that quitting is the best option, or if you have already left or have been forced to leave, then read on. You might just find that extra push. Or you might even find reason to stay. :)?

Why do we fear quitting?

Many professionals are quitting and thinking of quitting… but? they are held back.?

By bills? Yes.?

But looking closely and digging deeper, it’s really about FEAR.?

it’s the fear and uncertainty of what comes next.?

It’s the fear of what people will say when they’re jobless or in an unexpected path.

It’s the fear of being rejected and excluded.?

Allow me to unpack these fears for you and share tips on how to deal with them.

Fear of Uncertainty

According to Dr. David Rock, a neuroscience expert, one of our motivational drivers is certainty. Certainty refers to predictability of and confidence in the future, which make us feel safe.? Consequently, the lack of it is considered a threat that makes us feel unsafe or uneasy.?

What if nobody hires me?

What if I make the wrong decision?

What if I realize that this isn’t really my passion?

?? What can you do?

To help you through the fear of uncertainty, you can maintain or create areas in your life or schedule that give you a sense of certainty:

?? Create a schedule or routine

?? Have a back-up plan in place

?? Remind yourself of past challenges you’ve successfully overcome despite the uncertainty

?? Break up your goals into smaller actionable chunks

Fear of What People Will Say

This is probably one of my biggest fears when I left my stable and stellar corporate job and chose to pursue coaching. I didn’t want to tell people I was getting into freelancing or solopreneurship, else I’d be bombarded with questions like? –?

“What’s that?”?

“Will that pay your bills?”

“Aren’t you wasting your education and experience?”

It took me a while to get over this, with some help also from my coaches (yes, plural). I realized it usually stems from a desire to please others (parents, loved ones, etc) or the pressure of fitting into a particular mold.?

Many of my clients fear this as well. Some of them would initially want to lock themselves at home to hide or not tell anyone of their unemployment. This isn’t really sustainable, if you ask me.?

?? What can you do?

When you are certain and confident about your choice and reasons, it will be easier for you to address or ignore these questions / statements, without guilt. So make sure that you distill the real reasons for leaving or choosing another path, so you’ll be in a better position to respond.?

It also helps to rally your support system - those who really understand you, and will not judge you or offer you unsolicited advice. Getting a professional career coach can also help you through this.?

Fear of Rejection

What if I am not good enough? What if there’s nothing special about me?

I find this to be common among professionals who have stayed long in a particular job and are going out in the job market feeling like a kid in a new school.?

From my hundreds of hours of career coaching experience, everyone eventually lands a job. It’s only a question of when you land a job. The job search process may take a few weeks to a few months (or years for some!) depending on a variety of factors. It might take longer if you’re switching careers, or if you have very specific requirements of what your next job should be.

?? What can you do?

Start by creating an inventory of your skills and experiences. When you know what you can offer, you can be more realistic about your job search (i.e. feasibility, timing, market conditions, etc), and work on addressing gaps to prepare for your next role.?

And because your job search can take time, make sure that you have a strategy in place so you can play your cards well. This might include changing plans mid-way and being open to alternative paths. Agility is important during the process.

Fears are normal

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” ~Ambrose Redmoon

Our fears may reveal to us our limitations – both real and imagined. Our fears also keep us on our toes and force us to prepare more intently.?

I believe we will never be fearless. There will always be something that we will be afraid of. What helps you through them is the strength of your desire, which is rooted on a clear and solid belief that what you are pursuing is something that is meaningful and worthwhile.?

Make sure you know and believe enough in whatever it is that lies ahead for you after quitting your job.

And if you need help in clarifying that for yourself, a professional coach can help.?

Tip: Coaching is not just for those who are thinking of leaving their jobs or looking for a job. Coaching is also for those who…

? Need help adjusting to a new role / organization

? Need a sounding board for tough times at work or to discuss new ideas and ventures

? Want to become better leaders

? Want to get unstuck and move forward

? … and more.

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Coach Kurly de Guzman is a Career and Leadership Coach and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices based in the Philippines. She continuously seeks ways to help coaches, leaders and teams thrive through her newsletter, leadership and career development workshops as well as group and 1:1 coaching sessions for clients.

To work with Kurly, send an email to [email protected] or book an exploratory call to discuss your organization’s needs here .