Spring is in the air! The temperature is rising, the birds are chirping and the days are getting longer. Change is inevitable. At this time of year, we are reminded of better things to come (at least weather-wise), but maybe it’s also time to rethink other areas of our life. Maybe now is the time to consider changing careers. Do you dread going into work each day? Do you shrug your shoulders when someone asks you what you do for work? Do you cry every Sunday anticipating the workweek ahead? If you answered yes to any of these questions, for your own sanity it may be time to find another job.

However, there are some good reasons why you should not make the leap just yet. Throwing in the towel at work is a stressful, life-altering experience. Taking the time to think about what is important and weighing all your options is well worth the effort. Before you do something rash and regret your decision, take a deep breath and keep reading.

Here are four important reasons not to quit your job right now:

    No Plan

    Being spontaneous is a wonderful idea when you are out for a Sunday drive, but when you are thinking of leaving your current job for greener pastures you need a plan. Knowing somebody who promised they’d get you an interview within their company simply won’t cut it. Put together a real job strategy that makes sense. Don’t forget to have a back-up plan should the transition not go as smoothly as you anticipated.

    Money

    Money may be the root of all evil, but it a necessary evil to pay the bills. Don’t leave your current job until you seriously consider your financial situation. Crunch the numbers. How long can you realistically survive with little to no regular income? How will you make monthly payments on your outstanding credit card debt? Staying at your current job to save more money for when you eventually decide to make the leap may be your wisest decision. Don’t let financial pressures weigh you down.

    Stability

    A job, even a crappy one, for the most part provides stability. Unless you know of impending doom, such as layoffs, your job provides structure in your life. As long as you are competently doing your job, nobody says that you have to love it. Use the job as a way to pay your bills while you look at starting a business on the side. It has been said many times before that looking for a job is always easier when you have a job. Use the time outside a work to build a strong foundation for what it is you want to do in the future and how you plan to get there.

    Situation Can Be Rectified

    Why are you unhappy at work? Is it your boss? The project you’ve been working on? Tired of the industry? Pinpoint the problem. Before you decide to jump ship, think about ways you could rectify your work situation. Is it worth having a discussion with your boss? Are there options that can alleviate at least some of the burden that makes your work life undesirable? Leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding a solution. Small changes can make a big difference.

I’m a firm believer that most change, when well-planned and thought out, ultimately leads to good things. We should never be complacent and just do something for the sake of avoiding change. Think through your options and if you are serious about changing jobs, then be patient, make a well thought out plan and then go for it! You will sleep better at night knowing that you did everything you could to prepare for your brighter future ahead. Happy spring!

See also: The best time to quit your job

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Kevin Makra is the President of Sentor Media Inc., and founder of DirectoryOfCareers.ca. He can be reached at kmakra@sentormedia.com.