Could you walk away?
If you walked away from your job right now would you be proud of what you have done? There have been many different times in my life where I have had to walk away from something and many of those times I wasn’t satisfied with how I was leaving things. I was thinking about this a couple of weeks ago with 9rules and how I would feel if I decided to walk away from it to help it grow in new directions and realized that there is so much more that can be done with it, but I could leave knowing that I am proud of what we have accomplished.
That’s a damn good feeling. Can you say the same thing about your job? Can you say the same thing about a client that you had to drop early?
I’m thinking of all those companies that started something, but didn’t leave any legacy but that of failure and I’m not sure I could walk away from a situation like that. Of course there are times you have to realize there is nothing more that could be done so you have to leave things alone.
And no, 9rules is not in that phase or even close to it so don’t get any crazy thoughts.
Related reading:
Well this is rather apt for me currently. I am walking away from a job which is secure as a manager of a web department I dragged out of the red into profitability. No, I am not mad, I just have been given other opportunities freelance that I can’t turn down. There comes a time when just sometimes you have taken things as far as you can. With me I am proud of the fact that the department now makes a good return and has changed perceptions of the before dead weight department. I am gracefully going as may be going part time to get the new head into the role before a baptism by fire.
In many ways I am really looking forward to passing the baton over to whoever gets it and will be offering them support from the start. Rather odd thing feeling when you know your time is up really. The energy it took to get as far as I did with it is something that I just don’t have for the project whereas fresh blood will. I don’t feel they will do anything bad with it and don’t feel fretty about it all - if it goes in a different direction then good as it will be there direction.
Knowing when to let go is often the hardest but best thing to do. That and now I won’t be manager I can doss like regular employees lol. Sometimes walking away or handing over is the best thing for a business. Learning and realising that time is not an exact science. It’s nice to be in the position when you can walk away knowing your boss really doesn’t want it as you’ve proved your worth and that it is your choice you’ve fought to actually leave not stay.
By karmatosed on March 9, 2006 1:09 pm
I think I would really be happy if I left today. I think that what I have done for my employer in the last 8 years has really added value. I have developed relationships with all of my clients and they had come to think of me as part of their organizations. Since I am a direct extension of my employer they value that.
However in recent years pay increases and bonuses have not show me that my value is as much as they claim and I am thinking of ending our 8 year relationship
By Dennis Bullock on March 9, 2006 7:19 pm
I’m in the same situation as well. A few weeks ago I left as the Creative Director for a telecom company so I could freelance and work on my comic book company launch.
So far, I’ve never been happier and I’m not lookign back.
By chet on March 9, 2006 9:16 pm
Yep, I can. I created an awesome agency, it’s taking off right now, but as it is, I’m very proud. I loved working for the private sector (for other companies I mean), Emaginacion designs are being recognized very much this days and I plan to focus on my writing a little bit more, I have a book coming in and other projects to complete, but I’m pretty much satisfied with what I done UNTIL TODAY.
It’s a tricky question the one you made, because I can walk away if I want and I will be happy with the job done, but I can’t really do that because I’m still loving it. I guess that your question only applies with those who aren’t pretty much satisfied with their current work/position and want more, but they also thinks the job done so far, isn’t that bad as it looks. (I’m right? I may be)
Now, when enough is enough? when you are really “satisfied”? there is a “final stage” for any of us? if the answer is yes, you, reader, will be happy knowing there is a limit?
By Javier Cabrera (ClearYourMind) on March 15, 2006 2:52 pm
Another comment by me, the fat guy from Argentina:
“legacy” I think that is the word that define when you reach a certain level. I never thought it until this moment, but I think Legacy is where to aim to. When you are busy paying bills, you may forgot about the legacy you are going to leave when you are out of your business (not your business, but you, as a person).
/me writes down at the moleskine about that one…
Oh my, it’s like Zen! When you read or hear or smell or have a thought that explode into zillion of thoughts! Legacy Another comment by me, the fat guy from Argentina:
“legacy” I think that is the word that define when you reach a certain level. I never thought it until this moment, but I think Legacy is where to aim to. When you are busy paying bills, you may forgot about the legacy you are going to leave when you are out of your business (not your business, but you, as a person).
/me writes down at the moleskine about that one…
Oh my, it’s like Zen! When you read or hear or smell or have a thought that explode into zillion of thoughts! Legacy
By Javier Cabrera (ClearYourMind) on March 15, 2006 2:56 pm
I’ve just quit my job as Head of IT at a Hedge Fund to start work, unpaid, on a new Internet Company which I am very excited about. My bosses thought I was crazy - throwing away certain ‘riches’ and taking such a big risk. But this is what I’ve wanted to do ever since my first attempt at a DOTCOM way back in 1999. We have a fantastic idea and are quite confident that we can make a success in the time that we have without first running out of cash! It’s going to be fun!!!
Marcus
By chickerino on March 21, 2006 6:26 am
Yes, I could!
You know, two things are most important when you look for a good job.
Job satisfaction and money. For me Job satisfaction has more value than money.
Making money is not everything chap!!
I will quit my job after few days. Money is okay but that was never valuable for me.
By emma on March 22, 2006 4:47 am
Consumer and prescribing information.
Actonel with Calcium, Actoplus Met, Aczone, Angeliq, Arranon, Avandaryl, Estrogel, Exjade, Levemir, Hylenex, Increlex, Kepivance, Lyrica, Migraten, Nepafenac Ophthalmic, Nexavar, Orencia, Proquad, Relenza, Revlimid, Rozerem, Tamiflu, Vaprisol…
By wer on April 12, 2006 11:51 am