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"Winners never quit and quitters never win," said Vince Lombardi. Lombardi coached the Green Bay Packers to five NFL championships in nine years.

Before tendering a resignation or shouting "I quit," staffers must consider the implications of this momentous decision. Prospective employers will surely ask about previous positions and reasons for leaving.

What are some self-defeating reasons for leaving a paid position?

1) Disliking the boss.
2) Not getting along with coworkers.
3) Frustration with the apparent lack of advancement opportunities.
4) Feeling dissatisfied with the job description.
5) Desiring more money.
6) Saving face after an interpersonal confrontation.
7) Receiving a disappointing performance review.

Even if an employee is filled with righteous indignation, he or she will be wise to devise a respectable reason for resigning. Whatever the career field may be, a true professional will rise above petty conflicts and carve out his or her own career path.

Valid reasons for resigning might include the following:

Enrolling in a full-time educational program
Receiving a higher salary offer
Receiving a job offer with more promise of advancement
Relocating to another city
Having ethical issues with company practices
Deciding to become an at-home parent

An employee who can identify valid causes for quitting should clearly spell these reasons out in a written letter, which he or she will present to their manager or supervisor when breaking the news. Documenting this in writing is essential for accountability, possible follow-up, and protection from potentially unrealistic accusations.

Every day, workers depart from their positions. Some submit carefully crafted letters of resignation, offering two weeks' notice and a willingness to assist with the transitory period. Others aim for drama and make a major scene before leaving. Still others slip out quietly and relatively unnoticed.

The smart folks have a deliberate plan in motion, including a new job. Quitting before lining up additional work is simply a bad idea and should be avoided at all costs.

Before quitting, it is important to consider one's own motives, steady one's own emotions, and plot out a strategy. Resigning can be an excellent career plan, if done properly and with the next step clearly mapped out.

Simply put, quitting a job should be a deliberate ACTION, not a knee-jerk REACTION.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
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