When Should You Change Jobs?

(And Why It's Not Just About the Money)

You don’t hate work. You hate your job.
That slow-building dread every Sunday night? The voice inside your head screaming, “There’s got to be more than this”? You’re not broken. You’re not lazy. You’re not ungrateful. You’re just stuck, and it’s crushing you. If you are looking for an angle on “when should you change jobs”, this page is for you.

The thing is, you're not alone. If you’re between 25 and 40 and feel like you're wasting your best years in a job that makes you feel small, exhausted, or invisible, this page is for you.

I’ve been there. And I'm here to help you see exactly when it's time to walk away—and when it's time to take your life back.

Hello, I’m Daryl Pratt

I am a mentor, a coach and a guide.

I mentor, coach and guide people to escape the job they hate. 

I have been helping folk like you since 2005.

I created MENTORaUS.com to give practical and proven tips, tricks and strategies to move you from a job you hate to doing something you love.

Within this website I share my knowledge, wisdom and experience culminating from the hundreds of hours listening and teaching folk just like you to make a change. 

It will not be easy but it will be well worth your time and effort, I guarantee.


I have been where you are.

I know what it feels like to hate your job.

I know what it is like to get out, quit, change and build a life you enjoy. 

Whether it is finding a job you love or finding a pathway to building a business.

It is my turn to pass it on, to pay it forward. 

Life is short my friend so the sooner you control your destiny the better.

The Story of James

Let me tell you about James.

James was 31, newly married, and the guy everyone thought had “made it.”

Decent pay, steady hours, a fancy job title. But every day he showed up to work, a little piece of him died.

Meetings that went nowhere. 

A boss who never listened. 

The pressure to “be grateful” because others had it worse.

One Monday morning, he sat in his car outside the office and cried.

That was his wake-up call. 

Maybe yours looks different.

Maybe it’s the daily migraines, the late-night Googling of “how to quit my job,” or "when should you change jobs?", that gnawing feeling that you’re meant for more.

James changed his life and you can too.

Why People Stay (Even When They Shouldn’t)

It’s not just about fear.

It’s the guilt, the pressure to not look “ungrateful,” the worry about money, the belief that hating your job is just part of being an adult.

But guess what? It’s not.

According to a 2023 Gallup report, over 60% of workers globally feel emotionally detached from their work. That’s not a blip. That’s a crisis.

If you're reading this, you already know something's wrong. You just need permission to do something about it.

The Real Signs It’s Time to Leave

This isn’t some checklist. 

It’s your life. Here’s what I’ve seen, again and again, as a mentor helping people escape the grind:

1.  You've Hit a Wall—and There’s No Ladder in Sight

  • If you’ve asked for growth and got excuses
  • if promotions go to favorites, not performers
  • if you’ve got ideas and no one’s listening…

You’re not growing. You’re decaying.

A lack of opportunity is a flashing red light. If the company’s path doesn’t match yours, it’s time to make your own.

“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” – Mandy Hale


2. The Boss Is the Problem!

Let’s say it plainly: people don’t quit jobs, they quit managers.
Poor leadership can turn a decent job into a daily nightmare.

  • Micromanaging. 
  • Gaslighting. 
  • Favoritism. 
  • A complete lack of support.

If your boss undermines your confidence or makes you doubt your worth, it’s not your fault. It’s not going to get better. 

Have the conversation if you must. But if nothing changes? Leave.

3. Your Workplace Is Toxic

Toxicity isn’t just bad vibes. It’s a slow poison.

  • Backstabbing coworkers. 
  • Gossip. 
  • Discrimination. 
  • Burnout culture. 

If your workplace makes you anxious, depressed, or physically sick, get out.

Your mental health matters more than their deadlines.

I’ve been there twice. It left scars. But it also lit the fire that helped me rebuild something better. Use your pain as fuel.

4.  You’re Doing the Work of Three People

Sound familiar?

  • You’re juggling extra roles 
  • covering for team members 
  • hitting unrealistic goals with no thanks
  • being told “we’re like a family here” as they pile on more.

You’re not lazy. You’re overwhelmed.

Chronic overwork isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a fast track to burnout.

Push back. Speak up. And if they don’t listen, walk away with your sanity intact. This is a dead give away of 'when should you change jobs'

5. You’re Undervalued and Underpaid

  • Let’s not pretend money doesn’t matter.
  • You have bills, dreams, and a future to build.

If you’ve proven your value and they still won’t pay you what you’re worth, or give you flexibility, benefits, or support, it’s time to find someone who will.

“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.” – Robert Tew


The Sunday Night Test

Every Sunday night, what’s your vibe?

Are you planning your week, or bracing yourself for survival?

That sick feeling in your gut isn’t normal. It’s your body telling you: 

This isn’t it.

If you're hitting snooze five times, showing up late, snapping at people you love, or zoning out just to cope, your job is costing you more than time. It’s draining your life.

When Should You Change Jobs?

It’s okay if you’re not ready to quit tomorrow.

But don’t sit still. 

Don’t numb the pain with Netflix and caffeine and another year of just putting up with it.

Start by asking:

  • What exactly is making me miserable?

  • Is it fixable where I am?

  • If not, what kind of work would energize me?

  • What kind of life do I want to build?

You don’t need all the answers today. You just need to decide: 

You’re not settling for this crap anymore.

You’re Not Alone

There’s a whole world outside the job you hate.

Thousands of people just like you have leapt from burnout to balance, from stuck to thriving. Some found better jobs. Others started businesses, freelanced, went back to study, or redefined what success meant to them.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

Find mentors. Use your network. Take small steps. 

Whatever you do, don’t stay where you’re not valued.

Conclusion

Let’s be real. Change is terrifying. But regret? That’s worse.

The job you're in now might be paying the bills, but it's stealing your potential. It's stealing your happiness. It's stealing your life.

You don’t need a sign.

This is the sign.

Don’t wait for rock bottom. Don't wait for the breakdown, the panic attack, the desperate 3 AM scroll through job boards.

Decide that you deserve better.
Because you do.

Life’s too short to hate Mondays.
Life’s too short to hate your life.

So… when should you change jobs?

When you feel like this. Right now.

Make the decision. Make the plan.
Make the change.

The world is waiting for you.


Experience isn't the best teacher, experience is the only teacher.

cliff climber

Confidence comes from experience