When It's Time To Go

Sometimes you know when its time to move on. It's hard to explain, but something that once made you so incredibly happy all of a sudden just doesn't any longer. Monday mornings that were once full of excitement and promise now come with dread and stress and once you realize it there's nothing left to do but go. Earlier this year I left the startup company I was at for 3+ years, 2U, and now 2014 holds a lot of excitement and promise.

There are always clear cut signs that you notice in hindsight. If you're starting to see a few of these pop up, it's time to do something about it.

Tell tale signs it's time to go: 

• not eating right or sleeping well
• weekends/vacations/holidays are no longer your own because you're working through them
• turning down trips with friends or had to make sacrifices
• you're irritable and overly cynical 
• friends wonder if you're happy
• seeing your friends and/or family less and less
• your personal life is suffering
• seeking anything that's an escape (TV, the internet, going out everyday)
• worst of all - you've stopped learning

The moment when you can check a few of those things off the list is the moment you need to make the realistic decision its time for a change. You owe it to yourself!

This moment came for me unknowingly in the summer of 2013, but I kept telling myself it would get better so I ignored that inner voice. It wasn't until Thanksgiving when I couldn't afford to take the train home, and Christmas when I realized I hadn't seen my family in eight months and was working at home everyday through my "vacation," that it wasn't getting better. I was being unnecessarily stubborn and unfair to myself, so in December I started job searching and instantly felt relieved.

Even just working toward the goal of making a change is enough to make you feel better. However you can't half-ass it; dive into the search fully. Don't dream about change, make change happen.

Don't ignore the inner voice or what your gut is telling you. It's your compass, it knows you better than anyone else, and ultimately it knows what's right for you. Look for the signs that you're unhappy, and then do something about it.  You'll be happier sooner than you think.