Four people shared their quitting stories. This is some of their best advice.
In today’s fast-paced job market, many employees find themselves feeling stagnant and unfulfilled. As the new year approaches, it’s an opportune moment for individuals to reassess their professional lives and consider whether it’s time for a change. Business Insider has compiled a compelling series titled “Quitting Without Regret,” featuring personal essays from individuals who made the bold decision to leave their jobs in search of more meaningful careers. These stories highlight that while the act of quitting can be daunting, it can also lead to newfound purpose and direction.
The essays provide valuable insights into the thought processes behind these significant career shifts. For instance, Jenny Wood, who dedicated nearly two decades to Google, meticulously weighed her options with a detailed spreadsheet before deciding to leave. She learned that while planning is essential, it’s equally important to confront fear head-on, as it often hinders progress. Similarly, Jim Kukral took a leap of faith at 54 by leaving his stable position as a sales director to pursue his dream of starting a party boat business. Despite the financial risks involved, he felt compelled to break free from the confines of a conventional career path. On the other hand, for those who love their jobs, like Victoria Dobbie at TikTok, the decision to quit can stem from a desire for adventure, as she plans to travel the world for six months, embracing the freedom of being untethered.
Moreover, the series addresses the psychological barriers that often keep individuals from making a change, such as the fear of leaving behind a lucrative position. Jay Gengelbach, who earned $700,000 in the tech industry, faced this dilemma but ultimately chose fulfillment over financial security. His transition to a smaller tech company has reinvigorated his passion for work, demonstrating that sometimes stepping outside one’s comfort zone can lead to greater satisfaction. These narratives serve as a reminder that work is just one aspect of life, and pursuing personal happiness and fulfillment should take precedence. As the new year approaches, these stories encourage readers to reflect on their own careers and consider whether it’s time to take a leap of faith toward a more intentional and rewarding path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TrpK93hduU
Courtesy of Victoria Dobbie; BI
This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
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Are you fed up at work? Sick of it all? Ready to throw in the towel?
You’re likely not alone. The job market isn’t providing a lot of opportunities for mobility, keeping most people stuck in place, even if they’d otherwise look to move.
But everyone has their limits.
The new year is a great time for a professional reassessment. (I’m not suggesting quitting
before
bonus season. Do you think I’m an animal?)
If you’re thinking of jumping into the great unknown, we’ve got some advice for you. BI compiled four personal essays from people who quit their jobs and aren’t looking back. The series — “Quitting Without Regret” — shows that while quitting isn’t easy, it can lead to a more intentional and meaningful career.
Here’s some of the advice that came across in the essays.
Have a plan, even if you can’t stick to it.
Jenny Wood created a detailed spreadsheet to weigh
the pros and cons of quitting her job at Google
, where she had spent nearly two decades. She also identified the people she wanted to network with before she left. Ultimately, though, she recognized she couldn’t plan everything out and had to take action. “Fear adds friction, which slows you down without actually minimizing risk,” she said.
You just gotta keep livin’, man.
Quitting isn’t always about being frustrated at work. Sometimes it’s because you’re hoping there’s more out there than maintaining what can feel like the status quo. Jim Kukral left his job as a sales director at 54 years old
to start a party boat business
. He recognizes it’s a risk (and his and his wife’s retirement at stake), but “if I don’t do it, I feel like I can’t break free from this matrix of a world that we’ve created for ourselves.”
Remember: Work isn’t life.
What if you love your job? That’s the case for Victoria Dobbie. She loves her job at TikTok, but the 30-year-old decided she wanted to travel the world for at least six months. With no kids and no partner, she feels now’s the best time to do
something she’s always wanted to do
.
Don’t let the golden handcuffs scare you.
Jay Gengelbach was making $700K working in tech when he quit in mid-2024. He was terrified of walking away from such a big compensation package, but was feeling unfulfilled. He eventually landed at a smaller tech company, where he’s enjoying the quicker pace of
delivering things at a smaller company
.
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