I'm sure it's happened to you. You have a job in mind, something you’re passionate about it, but something is holding you back. Maybe it's fear or lack of confidence, or maybe it's the overall uncertainty.

Most people spend the majority of their lives working, so it’s important to find a job that inspires you. If your current job no longer inspires you, it might be time to consider resigning.

It's not an easy decision, though. Quitting your job is a big step, and it's not for everyone. But if you're stuck in a job that isn't serving you or in an industry that doesn't interest you, then you should follow your heart and resign.

Here are a few tips on how to resign from your job in a respectful and professional way and pursue a profession that inspires you.

Give notice

When you resign, it's important to give your employer plenty of notice. Two weeks is the standard, but if you have a longer tenure or are in a high-level position, you may want to give more time.

Your resignation should be in writing, typically through a resignation letter, and include the date you will be leaving. You don’t have to state your new job or role, but you should at least include your decision to leave and what direction you plan to take your career.

Be respectful

Even though you're leaving, you should remain professional throughout the process.

Give ample notice, be polite to your co-workers, and focus on how grateful you are for the opportunities your job provided for you. You never know when you'll need a reference from someone within the company, so make sure you leave on good terms.

Pursue what inspires you

Once you've handed in your notice, it's time to focus on what inspires you.

Some people might already have a job offer ready once they resign from their current one. Others will resign and figure out how to pursue their passions in their free time. Either option is okay, but if you do resign, you should have an ample amount of savings to tide you over until you start making money again.

If you’re struggling to figure out how to get to the job you want, don’t fret. It might take some time to figure how to get to your dream job.

Maybe you don't want another job working for someone. Some people will start their own businesses in things that truly inspire them and work on things they enjoy.

There are plenty of resources available to help you make the switch to a new career, so don't be afraid to ask for help.

Managing the feeling of uncertainty

There’s no easy way to manage the feeling of uncertainty that comes from breaking away from your current job into the relative unknown. It’s risky, and there is no guarantee your new job will be better or your new business will succeed.

However, you have to consider what you stand to lose by not taking the risk. Staying in a job or career field you don’t like is draining. You don’t want to wake up in your 50s or 60s and think about all time you feel like you wasted doing something you didn’t like or outright despised.

There are circumstances where you absolutely need to have a stable income. You might have a family you need to support, and having a steady or high-paying job is necessary. But if possible, take the chance to pursue something that inspires you.

It may feel scary at first, but you should commit yourself to following your dreams. You never know what positive changes might happen because of it.

Image Credits:

Image 1: CIPHR Connect, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2: Shutterstock