View Full Version : Resigning from work
I turned in my resignation two days ago. I thought I was going to puke before I could hand it in. I want to do this hike so bad, but something about resigning made it all so finalized. I'm past the point of no return now. There are some major problems at work with the way the department is operating and the staff being abused with the scheduling. I almost wish I didn't feel I was being called to do this hike because I've gotten some really good offers to try and make me stay. I've had to quit six times so far, with six differnt people. It's nice to be wanted, but I feel almost insulted, why didn't they try to keep me happy before things got this far?:confused: Maybe I can at least use this as an opportunity to help improve the department for my coworkers.
slowhike
09-07-2007, 18:07
isn't that the way it goes so much of the time in the work place.
i hope you can do & say the right things now to help open eyes before you leave for the hike.
i know that had to be hard, handing in the resignation.
Cannibal
09-07-2007, 18:28
T-BACK - I feel ya man. I'm marking days on the calendar before I make it official. The stomach turning, the feeling of being torn in separate directions, the self-questioning of the wisdom in doing this thing, and the other jillion thoughts.
I guess the only thing that helps is to remember how you felt when you decided, or were called, to do the hike. That feeling of absolute resolution and the tingly feeling that causes you to babble endlessly about hiking to people that never leave their back porches. Every time I do that, the churning goes away and I get a renewed sense of focus. A week in the wilderness and you won't even remember why you felt the way you do right now.
Anyhow, it works for me. Stay true to your calling and you'll never go wrong.
I almost quit with out a resignation this week. I am planning on quitting for school, but I was going to wait until December or May. However, I am getting impatient. I hope I can do a long distant hike next summer, and then maybe a through the summer after that.
Shadowmoss
09-08-2007, 07:02
I just got a new job making good money. As I was telling one of my good friends, who actually hiked the AT back 12 years ago or so, that I was excited because this meant that I may really be able to afford to do my thru in 2010, she laughed. The then said that maybe I should consider working a few more years to have money for retirement. If that person felt obligated to be the 'voice of reason' against quitting and hiking before actual retirement age, I'm sure I'll have many more voices telling me it's a bad idea.
Well, I'm not one to go with the crowd anyway. Funny how when you are young they tell you how bad it is to follow the crowd, how you should make your own decisions, not jump off a cliff just because everyone else is. Then, at some point the advice changes...
:D
I turned in my resignation two days ago. I thought I was going to puke before I could hand it in. I want to do this hike so bad, but something about resigning made it all so finalized. I'm past the point of no return now. There are some major problems at work with the way the department is operating and the staff being abused with the scheduling. I almost wish I didn't feel I was being called to do this hike because I've gotten some really good offers to try and make me stay. I've had to quit six times so far, with six differnt people. It's nice to be wanted, but I feel almost insulted, why didn't they try to keep me happy before things got this far?:confused: Maybe I can at least use this as an opportunity to help improve the department for my coworkers.
T-Back, you truly believe that you're called to do this hike, so I say more power to you. I'm sorry for the situation where you work and your co-workers have my sympathy. Like you said, hopefully your resignation will help to bring about a change for the better for the colleagues you left behind. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a great hike. I hope all goes well for you. Keep us posted and let us know if you need anything!
I will be the voice of Non reason here: If its a good flexible job that you wish to return to, often they will accept a long-term leave of absence.
One of my friends has it in his contract that he can take up to 8 weeks off per year. If the job is unsuitable anyway, I would ( and have) just leave.
Even with that in mind, I once waited to do my big trip. and had the money. had to stay in the job and school,and then I became very very sick.Lost the job which was paying for school because I was ill. My advice is: if you wait you might never get to go, you may regret it. Many many explorers and adventurists talk about people discouraging them. Not Me: go and enjoy.
Go and feel great about it.
I will be the voice of Non reason here: If its a good flexible job that you wish to return to, often they will accept a long-term leave of absence.
One of my friends has it in his contract that he can take up to 8 weeks off per year. If the job is unsuitable anyway, I would ( and have) just leave.
Even with that in mind, I once waited to do my big trip. and had the money. had to stay in the job and school,and then I became very very sick.Lost the job which was paying for school because I was ill. My advice is: if you wait you might never get to go, you may regret it. Many many explorers and adventurists talk about people discouraging them. Not Me: go and enjoy.
Go and feel great about it.
Thanks everyone, for the encouraging words. I'm going, God willing and the swamp don't rise:rolleyes: . It just amazes me how managers will let you continue to do the impossible with nothing until you burn out. Then they throw all these perks at you and when you say it's too little too late, they try and make you feel like you're the one screwing everybody over. Oh well, I've made up my mind and like you said, this will probably be the only chance I get to do this hike. They won't close the place down if I leave, the wheels will keep grinding along. I'll just have to put up with the attitudes but only for two weeks. Thanks again guys!
slowhike
09-08-2007, 22:08
we're with you bro!!!
T-Back, don't sweat what others say. That trail has your name all over it. Go get 'em! We're all behind you here at HF! :D
GrizzlyAdams
09-09-2007, 07:26
T-Back, don't sweat what others say.
I'm 100% with Hooch on this. It was very liberating to me when I internalized the wisdom "What does it matter what others think of you?", not as a ticket to be a jacka** of course, but to be true to oneself, one's beliefs, one's ideals, one's goals, one's dreams. You're the one looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning. You're the one responsible for the way you act and live.
And we all learned it it kindergarten too, along with 95% of all other essential life skills : "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me".
That trail has your name all over it. Go get 'em! We're all behing you here at HF! :D
I'll say. You guys that have come back from such injuries and illnesses to take on big challenges are an inspiration to those of us who've not had to face those kinds of hardships.
Grizz
I'm 100% with Hooch on this. It was very liberating to me when I internalized the wisdom "What does it matter what others think of you?", not as a ticket to be a jacka** of course, but to be true to oneself, one's beliefs, one's ideals, one's goals, one's dreams. You're the one looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning. You're the one responsible for the way you act and live.
And we all learned it it kindergarten too, along with 95% of all other essential life skills : "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me".
I'll say. You guys that have come back from such injuries and illnesses to take on big challenges are an inspiration to those of us who've not had to face those kinds of hardships.
Grizz Inspirational words to an inspirational person. I hope you have the hike of your life T-Back! :D
Thanks everyone, for the encouraging words. I'm going, God willing and the swamp don't rise:rolleyes: . It just amazes me how managers will let you continue to do the impossible with nothing until you burn out. Then they throw all these perks at you and when you say it's too little too late, they try and make you feel like you're the one screwing everybody over. Oh well, I've made up my mind and like you said, this will probably be the only chance I get to do this hike. They won't close the place down if I leave, the wheels will keep grinding along. I'll just have to put up with the attitudes but only for two weeks. Thanks again guys!
Quite a few years ago I left a job that sounds similar to the one you're leaving/left. When I left, it turned out to be one of the most liberating and happiest moments of my life. I left to go to a lower paying, but much more satisfying job and never looked back from there. My life was so much better from that point on, and only continued to improve as time went by.
Good luck Brian!!
I did a similar thing twenty five years ago and never regretted it.
It will all work out.
Tom
Although I'm sure this quote is familiar to many, I didn't find it on this site already. It should give you a touch of inspiration. The quote is by W. H. Murray, from the Scottish Himalayan Expedition:
"Until one is committed
There is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
Always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
There is one elementary truth,
The ignorance of which kills countless ideas
And splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
Then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
That would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision
Raising in one's favor all manner
Of unforeseen incidents and meetings
And material assistance,
Which no man could have dreamt
Would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
headchange4u
09-10-2007, 13:17
T-Back I wish you all best. It takes a lot of guts to do what you are doing.
Man, I need to keep you guys around to boost my self esteem when it gets low! Thanks, the kind words mean more than you know.
Theres not a day that goes by where i dont think of quitting my job and just going out there. Unfortunatley i've been taken hostage by the debt monster and cant get away too easily. I'm on a two year plan.
I have been bitten by the "thru-Hike" bug for 5 years now. I will have to wait until I retire, the thought of this scares me. I have a wife, two young children and average debt (house, car, etc...).
I can't kick the notion that section hiking isn't really doing the AT, this is in my head... I need to do all of it, start to finish, no extended breaks...
So here I am, watching my family grow, passing time and the AT is always in the back of my mind. I pray my health holds out so that I can hike it as an old man.
Moral of the story: If you have a means and a will, DO IT!:o
I gave a talk to a boyscout camp a few years ago about my thru'. One of the fathers asked me what kind of job did I have that I could take off for 6 months. i told him it was the same kind of job he has, the kind you can quit.
When I returned I was a new person and I found a job that I can tolerate within two weeks.