by Robin Gericke, Executive Editor
College life can quickly become overwhelming, and a busy schedule is praised as high-achieving. We are told to rest and take a Sabbath, yet many students, myself included, feel pressure to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity offered them.
It can be necessary to take a step back and evaluate our commitments, and balance can be found when we stop overcommitting ourselves. Professional development writer Elana Lyn shared advice on her site in an article, ‘How to do a Life Audit.’ Lyn writes that we should ask ourselves, “How is this helping me achieve my mission? Do I enjoy it? What am I gaining by having this on my plate? Could I achieve the same benefits another way? What would I lose by taking this off my plate? Do those things play a large role in achieving my mission?” These questions are valuable for students striving to find healthy balance.
Although saying ‘no’ up front is preferable over quitting halfway through, sometimes it is necessary to bow out of commitments. While quitting and saying ‘no’ can be a challenge, there are ways to quit with grace. In professional careers, a two weeks’ notice is almost always required, and the values of this practice should extend to students’ commitments. Let your friend, employer or coach know in advance that you are planning to quit. In the same way that a football player should not quit in the middle of a game, a student should not quit a club, job, position or other commitment without notice.
After sharing your decision to quit, complete your responsibilities with quality work. In order to leave a job well and on good terms, be polite and respectful to maintain good relationships. Word of reputation spreads quickly and can affect future employment.
Even if the job or commitment was not a completely positive experience, express gratitude for the opportunities given to you. According to an article in the Washington Post, the number one rule when quitting a job is to stay off social media. “Too many people give into their negative feelings on the way to their next job and commit career suicide by trashing their former employer,” said Cornelia Shipley, a speaker and executive coach.
Quit with grace, and then go into the future carefully discerning what you decide to do.
Photo via Unsplash
