Exit Stage Left

In one of my earlier postings, I had discussed bringing about the change you want in your life.  Part of instrumenting  your change may include leaving your your current position in order to move on and up.  Upon leaving, you must design an exit strategy where many things are taken into consideration:

1) Decide when you will leave.  If you are leaving to start your own business, then you should be following your  business plan.  The plan should indicate the amount of time it will take to complete such steps as getting your company registered with your state, or time it will take to come up with all of your financing.  Based on the amount of time you have allotted for each step within the plan, you should then know about when you will be wanting to leave your position.  If you are veering out part-time, then have indicators in place to help you measure when your business has accomplished certain milestones to help you determine when you are ready to leave.

2) Make sure that you are being the best employee you can be. This will help to ensure that if you need your manager as a recommendation, he will be more than happy to oblige. Also you don't know everyone your boss  knows.  He could be associates with your potential new employer or with a possible client your are trying to land for your company.  Don't just say "I'm leaving in 3 months  so what do I care about the work product that I put out." Care because they may ask you to leave before you're ready to go.

3) Have a good adviser or  sounding board.  We all need to be accountable to someone.  There should be someone you can discuss your plans with who can give you constructive criticism and advise on how to improve on areas that your plan may appear to be weak in.

4) Don't tell anyone within the company about your plan to leave.  This could sabotage your exit plans. It may not be the intention of your co-worker that you let in on your plan to let the cat out of the bag.  But remember you didn't keep it to yourself, then why would you think someone else would?

5) Gain as much knowledge and information as you can.  Make sure that you properly observe your manager while you are still with your employer.  See what positive characteristics and traits about him that you can use yourself.


This is just a short list of things for you to implement into your exit strategy to help ensure that once you leave, you won't have to come back.  These items will  also help you make sure that you don/t burn any bridges.