It’s no secret around these parts that I left the comfort and security of a full-time job in order to pursue freelancing full-time. But, you also don’t need me to tell you that quitting your current position is never easy—no matter what you’re moving on to.

Whether you’re venturing off on your own like I did, or you’re just aiming to explore other career options, quitting your job should come with its fair share of serious consideration. I never want to be the one to encourage you to kiss your gig goodbye, only to find yourself wondering, “What the heck did I do with my life?! one month later.

So, I’ve pulled together five questions you should ask yourself before quitting your job—no matter what you’re thinking of moving on to. Give your answers to these some thought before waving goodbye to your boss, and enjoy the confidence of knowing you made the correct decision.

5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE QUITTING YOUR JOB

1. WHAT DO I WANT?

I never recommend moving on until you know what exactly you want to move towards. Maybe you want to start your own business. Or, maybe you want to work in a new position that will use some of your different skills (even better if you already have that job lined up!).

But, before quitting your current gig, it’s important to have a clear idea of your goals and what exactly you want out of your professional life. It’ll help you avoid hopping around from place to place without ever really feeling like you’re working towards something.

2. DO I HAVE A PLAN B?

In the same vein as the point above, take some time to seriously think about your next steps. What will you do after quitting your job? Do you already have a new position lined up that you’ll jump right into? Or, will you need to apply places and explore your options? Will you hit the ground running with starting your own business?

Regardless of what you plan to do, make sure that you at minimum have the steps outlined to get started. It makes leaving your current job at least a little bit easier.

3. WHAT WILL I MISS ABOUT MY CURRENT JOB?

Even if you aren’t a big fan of your current job, I can almost guarantee that there will be at least something you’ll miss about your position. Maybe it’s the people. Maybe it’s the pay. Maybe it’s your Friday happy hours.

Reflect on the things that you’ll miss most about your current position. If any one of them starts to give you a homesick feeling or a slight bit of hesitation, you might want to take some time to evaluate your decision to ensure you’re making the right one.

4. WHAT DON’T I LIKE ABOUT MY CURRENT JOB?

Similar to how there are things you adore about your job, there are also some things that make you sigh uncontrollably. So, it’s important to evaluate these things too. Not only will they help you confirm that you’re making the right decision, they’ll also give you some pointers of things to avoid in your next career endeavors.

5. AM I SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE WITH THE UNKNOWN

Whether you’re quitting your job to start your own thing or are moving on to a new position with a different company, we all know that there are a lot of unknowns that come with leaving your existing gig. What if you don’t like your new job? What if you can’t get your business off the ground? What if you don’t make any money?

Ask yourself how comfortable you are with this uncertainty. It may be temporary, or it may last a while. So, make sure that you assess your comfort level with things being up in the air for a while.

Obviously, this decision shouldn’t be one made in haste, and you don’t want to jump ship simply because you’re sick of waking up early. So, take the time to mull over your answers to these questions in order to be confident that you’re making the best decision for you.

Until next time!