Quit your job..NOW!

That’s it, I did it: I quit my job.

That was hard to believe for my family and friends as they really didn’t get why I thought it could have ever been a good idea to leave a management position in a company I contributed to build, to basically jump in the unknown.

But you know what I actually never regretted my decision not even for one second and these are just few reasons why:

1.    Love yourself as much as your job title

Working in a young start-up is obviously very challenging and I loved every single minute of it; however after almost 3 years I started feeling that things were not completely right. I started thinking that it wasn’t really worth spending so much energy, time and health on a company that after all wasn’t mine.

I overworked every single week of my time at Housing Anywhere, and I did it with pleasure, but once I found myself in front of the mirror and I saw wrinkles, grey hair and a general bad look of someone too busy to take good care of herself.

That was the first sign I needed to slow down.

2.    90% fun, 10 % stress

Ever since I started working I promised myself I would have always take on challenges in which fun covered a primary role. We could open an entire discussion about the definition of fun, however I identify it with a job I love, with cool people around me and with a feeling I did something great when I go to sleep.

That’s why for example I decided to work for 500 € a month with the obvious concerns of my mom who couldn’t believe that after 5 years of studies, sacrifices, excellent grades I could think it was a cool idea to move in a new country, without knowing anyone and not even being sure to make it until the end of the month. 

Despite the economic struggle, I enjoyed every day during my time, but after 3 years, this office started becoming less of playground and more of a endless and robotic checklist which didn’t allow me to do what was important to get done. I started feeling as a mere “checker” while I felt my skills could have been exploited to achieve way higher goals.

In short, it wasn’t fun anymore and I really couldn't cope with it.

3.    Blame it on my “stupidist” theory

During the job interview that got me to my previous company I was asked “Is there something you really don’t like in people?” and I remember that moment as the first time I could make someone aware of my “stupidist” theory and I proudly answered “Yes, I don’t like stupid people”.

Go ahead: I’m just another millennial full of herself who thinks to be the smartest.

However, what my theory implies is not to be the only smart person in the room, but to actually be surrounded and inspired by smarter people. Once again my mom, who always suggested me to always go around with people who were better than me. At that time I always thought it was a little superficial to say that, but now I completely get what she meant. Being around great people makes you crave improvement and success.

This is why, when my company hired some very wrong people I couldn’t really hide my frustration and after desperately trying to make my colleagues realize I decided it wasn’t worth my time anymore.

4.    People first!

You will probably find tons of articles about HR and how to keep your team motivated and that’s why I was very surprised when during my first days in my previous company I realized there wasn’t really attention to employees, rather to what they were able to generate.

That’s why I made it my mission to make my workplace a more employee friendly place in which birthdays were celebrated together, personal aspirations of my team were discussed and realized and where recognition was the basis of my work. I probably made many mistakes and I dissatisfied many of my team members, but I can definitely say I did my best to make it an enjoyable stay with us! Now, you will probably imagine the frustration that comes from being an “HR activist” and being the first one not to be praised for her efforts and whose boss punctually forgets the birthday.

Everyone has that something that helps move forward, for me was the feeling of being the best at what I was doing and having people acknowledging it. When this was lacking for too long after many requests, I decided to walk out the door.

5.    Work towards your goals

During one of my evaluation meetings with my boss I have been asked what was my aspiration on the long term. I gave it a thought and I knew what was my goal: I wanted to be the COO. I made my research and realized I have the perfect skills for that, I love to have an overview on everything and I am extremely well organized with a critical eye on everything, I knew every single process in our company and at the end of the day, I was already a sort of unofficial COO.

That’s why when my boss argued that in a start-up is stupid to use such titles and that anyway that position was already claimed by someone else I felt there wasn’t really space for my professional growth. What is the value of working for something in which you know you will not get higher than what you already got?

Probably there isn't a perfect working space, or probably yes, what is sure is that if you don’t have fun anymore, if you are not acknowledged for the great things you do and if you feel you are not given growth opportunity, this is your moment to close the door and jump into the unknown...I swear....it's so much fun!

You don't know how to tell you boss you quit? Here some inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5XnKvlL5E