How to Know When to Stay or Leave Your Job
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
For a couple of years, I stayed in a role that I always knew was temporary. I had plans to move to a different city, my boyfriend (now husband) and I were doing long distance, and I kept telling myself I was just waiting for the right moment to make leaving make sense. So I waited. And waited.
never set a goalpost. If I had been operating in my power, I would have said, "This is exactly how long I'm willing to do long distance before it's too hard on us," and I would have honored it. Instead, I let it drag on until something happened that made me feel disrespected, and only then did I finally say, "I've got to go."
In hindsight, I believe that was the universe getting loud because I took my hands off the wheel of my life. At that time (and it was a pattern that would continue for many years) I needed something glaring to give me permission to leave the life I knew was temporary, and go build the one I actually wanted.
I've had to break this pattern everywhere; in jobs, in friendships, in romantic relationships, you name it. And here's the part most people miss: the opposite mistake is just as costly. Leaving too soon can also be a mistake, when you decide everyone else is the problem and bolt before you ever look at your own part in the equation. For years I was constantly looking toward what was next to ‘finally feel content’, until I realized I was the only constant in every situation.
I eventually learned to read my own patterns, to pay attention to my body, and to trust my intuition over the story my brain was trying to sell me. I broke the cycle of running from what wasn't working, and started to take my power back in my career.
I encounter so many people who think the hardest thing is knowing the answer, or finding the courage to finally make the call. But the truth is that the real challenge is reading your own patterns before they cost you another year. The real challenge is trusting your intuition over the very convincing story your mind tells you to avoid any and all risks.
The real challenge is letting a chapter end, and not punishing yourself for it.
This is what I talk about on the latest episode of The Unlock Lab. I get into the two big mistakes leaders make, (1) leaving too soon or (2) overstaying so that you can find the path that serves you before it costs you your confidence, your health, or your joy.
If this is landing for you, please like, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen. It helps more leaders find this work.
Cheers to what's next,
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