Quitting your job can be both exhilarating and frightening. But, let's face it, not all of us can afford to quit - right? Well, that's what we tell ourselves: I need the job experience; I need the money; I don't have a Plan B; I'm the sole bread winner in the family...and so on. Do any of these statements sound familiar? Although there may be merit to these reasons in the short term, used over a lifetime these become excuses to avoid change.

Change is a scary concept for some people. For others, change is empowering. No matter your opinion of change, the fact remains that change is the only constant in life. Things change. Sometimes we choose those changes and sometimes those changes choose us. Understanding the nature of change is key to understanding how and when to quit a job. There are only two ways that you'll be changing jobs - you choose to quit or you get fired.

I've quit many jobs over the course of my working life. Each time I made the decision for different specific reasons, but each decision was related to one central notion: there is something better out there for me. My most recent resignation involved a high paying position with the largest law firm in town. My reasons for leaving: a shift in priorities, a need for less stress, and, again, the underlying sense that there was something better suited for me out there.

Assuming that you've given this some thought and are considering quitting, let's talk about a few signs that NOW is the right time for you to give your two weeks' notice:

1. Your daily work is tedious and uninspiring. You can't imagine doing this job for another week, let alone until you retire! You find yourself surfing the Internet for new job opportunities, whether or not you have experience in the field, simply to remind yourself that there are other things out there that you may be able to do. If this is you, it may be time to reconsider your daily work and what you really want to be doing. Prepare a draft of your resume and your resignation letter and start thinking outside of the office cubicle box!

2. Your work environment is stifling, defeating, or combative. Your boss steals your ideas and pawns them off as his own; your co-workers compete with you more than they work with you; you receive only negative feedback and never any compliments or constructive criticism about your performance. First, consider what you have and have not done. Be sure that you have performed to the best of your

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