Today I quit my job

Today I quit my job at the best company I have ever worked for.

It was probably the second hardest decision I had to make in planning this trip, after deciding to actually do the trip itself. I have worked there for more than 8 years including transferring across the country from Colorado to Washington, DC. I joined the company while I was still in school and it became my full-time career upon my graduation. And over the years I have worked my way up from technician, to team lead, the technical manager and now sales manager.

As I planned this day, I thought long and hard about the conversation I would have with my boss. Most people quit their jobs because they are unhappy or have found a newer, more high-paying, better job. The reason I quit had nothing to do with my happiness at work. My decision was about my life and how I want to live it.

When today arrived, I actually had no plan to tell my boss. In my head, I had planned to tell her tomorrow since she and I both worked, and telling her at the end of the week seemed preferable. But she changed her schedule and decided to be off tomorrow! I freaked out internally when I asked her if I’d see her tomorrow. “Ok Logan, breathe, you’re doing this today.” So I built up the courage to ask her for a few minutes of her time just after my break for lunch so I could collect my thoughts.

I stepped out to grab a bite to eat and calm my nerves. I felt like I was having a panic attack (I probably was!) and texted both my mom and a good friend who knows about my trip and works for the same company. They both told me to remain calm, I wasn’t going to vomit in front of my boss, and that they knew she would support my decision. My fears subsided and I wrote down what I wanted to say.

“I’ve decided to leave the company to pursue a long term dream of mine and I wanted to give you plenty of notice before the holiday craziness set in. I would like my last day to be January 9th.” Those few words would seal my fate and make my Round the World trip a reality. (Besides the fact that I already had airfare booked. Ha!)

I marched in to her office, completely prepared, confident as ever and I froze. I stammered and started making small talk. She saw through my ruse and asked what was wrong. Pausing for a moment, I threw it out there, seeing her face go blank in shock. But much to my surprise, she was thrilled for me and completely supportive. We talked for a long time about my plans and then got down to business strategizing a transition plan and when to break the news to the staff.

I love my job. And now I’m leaving it.