"We're gonna be getting rid of these people here... First, Mr. Samir Naga... Naga... Naga... Not gonna work here anymore, anyway."
On a recent Monday afternoon, I was let go from my job. “We have determined there is no longer a need for your position, so it has been eliminated,” said an overly enthusiastic Human Resources woman. As I sat across from her, I briefly contemplated the unfinished pile of work on my desk, then got up and left the building, never to return.
I had never been let go from a job before, be it a lay off like this or a firing, so admittedly this came as a slight shock. I drove home in shock. I ate dinner in shock. I went to bed, still in shock. But when I woke up the next morning, the shock had worn off and an unfamiliar feeling set in: Pure, unadulterated, utter bliss!
I hated my job. Hated it to the point that it was making me physically and mentally ill. Hated it to the point where I was miserable by Saturday afternoon, knowing I’d have to go back on Monday. Hated it to the point where I was completely lethargic and stopped taking care of myself. What I didn’t hate was the paycheck. And because of that, I felt immobilized to make a change.
Of course, no one actually enjoys being let go from their job. But like many things in life, when a particular job just isn’t the right fit, you know it in your soul. You feel it in your bones. The spring in your step just isn’t as springy. Or, as was my case, just totally sprung out.
“When a particular job just isn’t the right fit, you know it in your soul. You feel it in your bones. The spring in your step just isn’t as springy.”
When the hand of god (a.k.a Human Resources) bitch slapped me out the door, it propelled me into action. Instead of wasting my energy on self pity, I became this finely-tuned job hunting machine. Instinctively I started eating healthier. Positive thoughts began flooding my brain. I reached out to friends I hadn’t spoken to in awhile. My family was happier too. A couple days later I was motivated to pursue and secure an ongoing freelance opportunity. Shortly after that I was again gainfully employed full-time, this time at a job I truly love.
On his blog, The Altucher Confidential, entrepreneur James Altucher lists his Top 10 Reasons To Quit Your Job Now. I really don’t think I can do any better than him, so my advice is that you go read his list.
I’m not necessarily encouraging you to go out tomorrow and quit your job just because you hate it. It’s not exactly practical. Besides, I understand the difficulty involved in being unemployed and the financial burdens it can cause you and your family. I also know that being unable to find work — particularly in this bad economy — comes with its own set of problems. But I do want you to ask yourself this: Do the pros outweigh the cons?
You may be surprised to hear yourself shouting your answer from the highest rooftops to everyone who will listen: YES!!!!!! YES!!!!! A million trillion times YES!!!!!!!!
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The other evening I watched as my son enjoyed some fun time with other kids in our neighborhood McDonald’s play area. Everything was happy and friendly until a random little girl pushed a random little boy in the chest. That boy grabbed his chest, sauntered over to a bench, and declared:
I'm a writer living in Las Vegas with my artist husband, curly-headed son, three female cats, and the occasional spider. 
