How I knew it was time to quit my stable 9-5 job

Summary

In this reflective video, the creator shares her journey of quitting her job as a hospital social worker. She emphasizes the complexity of the decision, considering factors like job security, prestige, and the emotional toll of her role. The video offers four pivotal questions to help viewers evaluate their own job satisfaction and life balance, ultimately deciding to pursue a path that aligns better with her values and mental health.

Takeaways

• 😃 Today's the day one, eternity later I did it, I quit my job as a hospital social worker.
• 🤔 This video is not about encouraging everyone to quit their jobs, but rather providing useful insights on making such a significant decision.
• 💡 Quitting a job is a huge financial and emotional decision, and it requires careful consideration of many factors.
• 🔄 The decision to quit was not made overnight; it involved a lot of back and forth weighing the pros and cons.
• 📈 One important question to ask is what does the long-term career advancement look like in your current job.
• 💸 Another critical factor is the financial trajectory and whether it aligns with your personal financial goals.
• 🧠 Consider how your job is affecting your mental health and if it's worth the impact on other areas of your life.
• ⚖️ Evaluate the work-life balance your job allows, particularly in terms of energy, not just time.
• 🗣️ Ask yourself if the job brings out your best self, and if not, it might be time to move on.
• 👍 The decision to quit led to finding a new opportunity that is a better fit, allowing for growth and better work-life balance.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to quit her job as a hospital social worker?

The speaker decided to quit her job due to various reasons, including job dissatisfaction, burnout, lack of career advancement opportunities, and the impact on her mental and physical health.

What were the four main questions the speaker considered before quitting her job?

The four main questions were: 1) What does the long game look like if I stay in this job? 2) How is this job affecting my mental health? 3) How much work-life balance does this job allow me to have? 4) Does this job bring out my best self?

How did the speaker feel about the job title and the validation she received from others?

The speaker liked the validation and respect she received from others when she told them she was a healthcare worker. It boosted her ego and made her feel good about herself.

What did the speaker realize about the financial trajectory in her job?

The speaker realized that the financial trajectory in her job was not aligning with her goals. Despite stability, the salary increase was minimal and not keeping up with inflation, effectively reducing her income over time.

What impact did the job have on the speaker's mental health?

The job had a significant negative impact on the speaker's mental health, leading to burnout, low energy, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and poor physical health.

How did the speaker's job affect her work-life balance?

The job consumed 85-90% of the speaker's energy, leaving very little for other activities she cared about, such as spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and taking care of her health.

What question did the speaker's therapist ask that helped her decide to quit her job?

The therapist asked, 'Does this job bring out your best self?' This question helped the speaker realize that her job was making her irritable and unhappy, leading to her decision to quit.

What positive experiences did the speaker have during her time as a hospital social worker?

The speaker met amazing, compassionate, and hardworking colleagues, grew in confidence, and developed leadership skills despite the challenges she faced.

What new opportunity did the speaker find after quitting her job?

The speaker found a new opportunity in social work that she enjoys more. It offers better growth prospects, is more intellectually stimulating, and provides greater flexibility and work-life balance.

What advice does the speaker give to others considering quitting their job?

The speaker advises others to consider their career advancement, financial trajectory, mental health, work-life balance, and whether their job brings out their best self before deciding to quit.