In the movies, quitting your job is always a momentous occasion – usually a pivotal point in the lead characters life or the turning point in the story line of the movie – and thus because of this is subsequently always spectacularly overblown.

Why Read – Approx 5 Mins Readtime

Although there is unlikey to be fireworks, gunfire and explosions or even an opportunity for a witty one liner, quitting your job is a big decision and will have a big effect in your life.

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If you are thinking of getting out of the rat race it might be worth reading this post so that you don’t end up walking out with your pants round your ankles and be in constant fear of awkward future meetings with old work colleges.

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The 5 thought are also pretty good for success in life in general too, so regardless, read this post.

Also, this will be my last post for 10 days as I am taking a week off to go Scuba Diving in the Southern Islands of Thailand. If I have not been eaten by sharks I will return to blogging the Tuesday after next. In the meantime why not read some of the older posts. I recommend “How to Talk To Strangers Without Wetting Yourself” then you can invite the new people you meet over to thelifething.com. Genius.

Also leave any questions you may want answered in the comments section and I will answer them as best I can.

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Movies Have A Tendency To Over Exaggerate

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I know, I am as shocked as you are but I have proof, especially when it comes to depicting someone quitting their job.

Take “Wanted” for example, directed by Timur Bekmambetov . Here the young character in question, having just squared up to his boss and let rip some deeply cutting observations on her character flaws, storms out of the office, while still taking the time to smash a keyboard across the face of his cheating best friend, and into the waiting fast car and company of a beautiful lady. By anyone standards not a bad way to hand in your notice.

Or Tom Cruise’s slightly different but non the less impressive approach to job quitting in Jerry Maguire when he propositions the entire company to come and join him as he leaves to start up on his own.

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Bold move Tom, very bold move.

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These are most definitely impressive ways of quitting but like most movie occasions, they are unfortunately flawed when applied to real world situations where there usually isn’t the life of an assassin waiting or a multimillion pound business idea in the wings. Here in the real world a generally more tactful approach to shoving it to the boss is required.

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Tactful Job Quitting That Won’t End Your Career

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Fear not dear reader, for this author, having done just this very thing recently and quit his lucrative job as a project manager for International Swiss Engineering Company Sulzer – but remained, it seems, to the most part employable – is on hand to offer some friendly advice.

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If you are thinking of quitting your job, for whatever reason, it would be worth keeping in mind 5 major steps that will ensure your future success and keep you from investing in more Playstation games.

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1. Have a Master Battle Plan – (But No Tanks)

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It is all well and good quitting on the spare of the moment or during a heated discussion with your boss because it just feels right or you got a warm fuzzy feeling in the short term but this is not going to be helpful for your future if you have no contingency plan in place. This is the big problem all would be Bond villains suffer from, no contingency plan if Bond escapes.

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Unless you are planning on taking on the world yourself and starting your own business, the very best way to quit is to already have a new job on the table to walk into.

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You are generally under no obligation to your current company not to look for a new job and any new company you approach should also be discrete in talks with you. So dip your toe in the water and see how it feels – (metephorically speaking, don’t go putting your feet into other people drinks). Even if you are planning world domination it is of no benefit to just up and quit, you need to have a plan for the next 6-12 months, how will you live, where will the money come from etc.

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Robbing banks is not a valid plan.

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This should be planned out in advance many months before you finally hand in your notice. If neccissary I find it helps to buy a brand new notepad and pen and title it “Brilliant Battle Plan For Bailing On Restricting 9-5 Job That I Have Lost Passion For And Leaping Towards Brand Spanking New Job/Direction I Have Always Dreamed Of During Particularly Boring Business Meetings.” Granted this title could do with some work.

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2. Be 100% Sure – No 110% Sure.

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Now is not the time for indecision, Bond would not do it and neither should you. If you are planning to quit then take some time to seriously weigh up the decision.

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“Don’t jump in and out of the boat like a craze “Hokey Cokey” dancer on steroids.”

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When you finally come to hand in your notice you need to be 110% sure you definitely want to quit, exactly what you plan to do once you have quit and the only possible terms that you would consider staying on if they were offered by your boss. An extra couple of percent on top of your wage should not be a compelling reason.

Handing in your notice only to then be indecisive or easily swayed into staying, or worse yet, changing your mind will do irreparable damage to your career at your current company but is easily avoided by taking time to think.

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Be 100% sure. Very important. More important than giving your girlfriend the last rolo.

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It is also worthwhile not mentioning your thinking to anyone until you are completely sure of your decision as rumors tend to spread fast. If you really need to talk about something then start a detailed discussion into which would win in a fight – A bear or a Silver Back Gorilla. Thats should keep people entertained for days.

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3. Put Down The Gasoline – Don’t Burn Those Bridges

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This is usually the main thing people get wrong and unfortunately it is usually the most destructive to your future.

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Burning bridges is extra sneaky because it is so easy to do; and not just at the point of quitting but also all the time leading up to it and for many, many months after.

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The best rule of thumb when quitting your job, and for life in general, is never to talk negatively of others. Keep negativity and negative thought out of the workplace, definitely don’t speak negatively of any experiences you have had at the company or with people there and definitely don’t cite them as reasons to leave. Selling others out is just not cool, be above it.

When applying for new jobs the same rules apply, do not speak negatively about your past boss or colleagues to your new boss and colleagues. It just does not help you. Everyone has their gripes, be the one that doesn’t talk about them.

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Be quick to praise, and slow to criticize, its  a refreshing change from the norm and so will smell like roses.

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You may need to use some of the bridges you have built in the past sometime in the future so you want to ensure they are still standing. Let people speak highly of you, even when you leave. It will ensure your future success.

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4. Less Details Man – Keep it simple

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Once you have handed in your notice you will of course be required to explain your reasons for wanting to quit to your boss, it is inevitable but don’t panic, we all knew this was coming. The key thing to remember is to keep it simple. Possibly imagine your boss in their underwear, whatever works for you – just don’t make it sexy lingerie.

Have what you are going to say planned and lay it out clearly and in as few sentences as possible, though possibly try to make it more than one.

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If you are in their office for longer than 5 minutes they are obligated to offer you a biscuit.

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It is all too easy to babble on, to try and defend yourself and your reasons for leaving. This is not necessary and you undersell yourself. If your boss is good and you have explained your reasons for leaving – leaving, not wanting to leave –  he should except them and wish you well.

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Keep it professional and be confident in your decision

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If you are still in two minds about wanting to leave then you should not be in the office with your boss discussing it.

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5. Do Up That Drawstring – Don’t slack towards the end

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Ok, so you have done it, you have had a plan, been 100% sure about it, you haven’t burnt any bridges and you kept the meeting with your boss simple, all without wetting yourself.

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Now comes the final and critical stage – Make sure you work hard right up until the last afternoon.

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Most employees will have to give some kind of notice before leaving, usually about a month. This is typically the contract you have signed and you need to honor it. True, the company probably won’t chase you if you don’t but this is your reputation on the line, be honorable to the contract you signed. This means working out the remainder of your notice and doing a good job.

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This approach is unusual, in my experience, and so it will reflect very well on you and you never know how that might help in the future.

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On the last afternoon feel free to go crazy but don’t kiss you boss on leaving.

There you have it, the tv producers would be proud, go out and enjoy this new exciting future Mr Bond.

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Shake the Money Maker

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Quitting is a daunting feeling for most but remember it is the start of your new life. Just remember the above 5 points and you should be leaving behind a huddle of both envious and impressed former work colleagues – ones that are unlikely to stab you in the back. (Except Stabby Steve from Finance, it’s part of his “thing”)

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Go on, shake your ass a little bit on the way out the door.

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