Should I quit my job?
The short answer
Quit if the job is damaging your health, your integrity, or your future earning power — and you have 6+ months of runway or a next role lined up. Otherwise engineer an exit over 90 days.
Signals to weigh
- 01Sunday-night dread that lasts through Monday morning, for months.
- 02You've stopped learning — no new skill in the last 6 months.
- 03Your manager or culture is compromising decisions you'd be proud of.
- 04Cash runway: 6+ months at current expenses is the usual safety margin.
- 05Market: how quickly can someone with your skills land a comparable role right now?
How to decide
- Step 1Write the exact reason in one sentence. If you can't, it's not clear enough to act on yet.
- Step 2Run 10-10-10: how will I feel about quitting in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years?
- Step 3List what has to be true to stay another 6 months. Ask for it directly.
- Step 4In parallel, start the search — offers create leverage even if you stay.
- Step 5Set a decision date. Open-ended thinking becomes procrastination.
Framework used
10-10-10 →Full walkthrough of the framework, with examples and pitfalls.
Consider these alternatives
- ·Negotiate the role: scope change, manager change, or sabbatical before you resign.
- ·Internal transfer — often faster than the outside market and preserves tenure.
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