Last day at work

I handed in my notice and I left work for the last time on Tuesday 8 th Sept.

I felt really emotional as no one knew I was leaving until about 2hrs before I actually left - I did give a month's notice but I had so much holiday to take that I could leave almost the day after.

To say I took people by surprise is an understatement and I really intended to go without much fuss or rather I feared that people wouldn't be bothered so if I went suddenly they would have an excuse not to make a special effort to say their goodbyes.

Now I feel really awful about it as they had a quick whip round and gave me quite a large amount of cash plus some flowers and cards. A friend later said I was running away and in retrospect I was running away and I did go about leaving the wrong way.

I have just read an article and it is very good. I wish I had read this before I left as I answered no to all of the questions and I have just realised these are the reasons I left but could'nt verbalise them.




The Happiness Project:


"This is a good list to use if you’re a manager who wants to create a happier and more productive work environment, or if you’re a job seeker/holder who wants criteria by which to judge a workplace.
Also, if you’re not happy at work, and you’re trying to Identify the problem, take a look at this list. It suggests strategies for improving your situation. Not everything is within your control, of course, but perhaps you could identify for your boss what you need to change #2 from “no” to “yes” or to shift responsibilities so you get #3. Or can you make an effort to gain #10?
1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions seem to count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work? [But don’t have an office affair!]
11. In the last six months, have I talked with someone about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?
The first six questions have the strongest links to business outcomes (productivity, profitability, retention, and customer satisfaction)."



I don't feel I have made the wrong decision about leaving work but I think I could have made it less stressful.

I want to have a happy life with purpose and this is the time to start.

Perhaps I can be truthful and share how I manage to achieve this. I need to overcome an awful lot of negative talk, lack of confidence and lack of discipline.