I quit.

I quit.

That phrase is one that so many of us have used,?or wanted to use, in an especially tough work situation. Think of the most brutal job you ever held, and how satisfying it would’ve been to utter those two magic words — “I quit” — and ride off into the sunset on a jet ski, ideally while the song “Walking on Sunshine” plays in the background.

Many of us stick around in jobs for way longer than we probably should, for all sorts of complicated reasons: a sense of duty, the fact that consistent income is essential and difficult to replace, the ever-present thought that things are just about to change for the better, or something as elemental (but vital) as health insurance. (FYI, the positions with the highest percentage of likely quitters in the near future? Human resources and food service, according to recent surveys.)

Yes, sometimes you need to walk away. But other times, you can turn a muddy situation into fertile ground by implementing some clever changes or even wrangling your way into a better position. Today we’re bringing you stories of those who gladly gave their two weeks’ notice — and gold-star advice from business heavy-hitters that might just help you thrive in your career. We’re also offering up ways to revamp your business, via the power of creativity and risk-taking.?

So go ahead and make a move, whether that means walking away to find something more sustaining or taking a fresh look at your current gig. Either way, the old adage is true: Fortune favors the bold.

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Lean Out

At the height of the pandemic, women leaders were leaving their jobs in droves. They were burnt out by mounting microaggressions, overburdened by tasks at home, and even questioning what role work should play in their lives in the first place. We delved into the psychology behind what some call The Great Breakup — and explored why losing women execs is an issue we should all be concerned about.

My Two Cents

Hindsight is 20/20, which is why it’s key to get guidance from people who’ve already blazed a trail and have the hard-earned wisdom to show for it. And who better to offer up career advice than women who’ve founded successful companies? We asked 10 of them to offer up nuggets of wisdom: From “always choose your family” to “know what you’re not good at,” these are the tips any employee, manager, or CEO can use.

Take the Leap

Want to be a better decision-maker? Trust your gut, advises global marketing exec and author Bozoma Saint John. In a chat with Think with Google, the former Netflix CMO explains how executives too often make decisions out of fear, and how the most successful ones “jump into the dark.” That’s good advice for anyone, even if you’re not in the C-suite.

No, I’m not quitting this newsletter —?we’re just getting started! And I’m so excited about the valuable info and intriguing stories we’ll be bringing you in future editions. Want to make sure you never miss a single Wake-Up Call at Work? Subscribe right here.