How to Leave a Job and Not Feel Guilty - The Muse

How to Leave a Job and Not Feel Guilty - The MuseHow to Leave a Job and Not Feel Guilty Well, look at you. Youve done it. After months of quietly exploring new, better career opportunities, youve landed a job that makes you giddy just thinking about. Youve even mustered up the courage to tell your current employer. And just at that moment when you should be on Cloud 9?It happens.The guilt comes rolling into the station. You begin to question the decision. You feel awful that youre leaving your team, at a moment when no one could possibly live without you. You wonder if you should just duck into your cubicle for the next two weeks, to avoid having to face people with this bombshell news of yours.Stop that. Yes, of course, guilt is a natural feeling that many people feel when leaving an employer, especially if the companys been super great to you, and the teams truly going to feel the burn short-term. But, assuming you manage your departure gracefully, you absolutely shouldnt feel guil ty, and heres why.1. Professionals Are Expected to Develop and GrowYour colleagues are not unlike you. They aspire to grow, develop, and in many cases, also climb into positions with new challenges and responsibilities. This is human nature, and its expected. Even if your peers or supervisors act pouty or irritated when you announce youre leaving, realize that this is probably just them thinking about the pain in the rear your departure may create for them short-term (or wishing that they were you right about now).2. If the Tables Were Turned, the Company Probably Wouldnt Feel GuiltyThink about it. If your employer were facing budget cuts or layoffs, and your job was going to be among those impacted, do you think that your managers or the HR director would spend endless hours wringing their hands with guilt before they alerted you of the layoff? Probably not. Sure, on a personal level they may feel badly. Were all human, after all. But theyd surely realize that this is business, and in business, difficult decisions sometimes need to be made. Now, apply this to your own decision, and realize that most employers understand that you, too, are making difficult choices to further your own business- the business of your career.3. If You Stay Out of Guilt, You Do No One Any FavorsIve actually coached a few clients whove turned down great offers because they just couldnt get the nerve up to face their employer and resign. (Theyll dieeee without me.) And in at least two of these instances, guess what happened? The person who stayed became mora and more resentful or non-productive in her role, and the employer was negatively impacted. Even if you know your company is going to gripe and moan when you quit, if youre only staying out of guilt, youre doing both them and you a disservice.4. Guilt Will Disrupt the Joy of Your Last Two WeeksHave you enjoyed your time at the company youre leaving? Have you met at least a couple of colleagues or clients that you really like bein g around? Well then stop the moping and make the most out of your final days at the old job. Lift that load off of your shoulders and enjoy the hours you have remaining with these comrades. Because guess what? It might not be easy to carve out time to see them once you start that new gig.Even when youre downright ecstatic about your pending transition, quitting a job can be emotionally tough. Feel the emotions, absolutely. Just dont let guilt sneak in and steal the moment. Youve got basking to do.Photo of nervous woman courtesy of Shutterstock.