Should You Quit Your Job in 2026?

Should You Quit Your Job in 2026? A 5-Question Self-Audit

21% of Americans want to make more money this year, but quitting is a science.

The post-holiday urge for a fresh start is real, with 21% of Americans committing to making more money in 2026. While job hopping remains a proven path to higher wages and career advancement, pivoting in a precarious labor market requires more than impulsive optimism—it demands a strategic self-audit. Before handing in your resignation, career coach Laura Tipping suggests answering five pivotal questions to distinguish between a temporary bad day and a systemic need for change.

The 5-Question Framework for Career Clarity

To avoid making a hasty decision, Tipping’s framework, highlighted in a recent Kickresume report, forces a deep psychological inventory. This isn’t just about counting your paycheck; it’s about aligning your daily reality with your long-term goals. By isolating the root cause of your dissatisfaction, you can decide whether to fix your current role or leave it.

1. The Energy Audit: Do your daily tasks energize or drain you? Distinguish between standard workplace stress and a chronic lack of alignment.
2. The Pain Point Diagnosis: Is the issue the workload, or is it deeper—like a lack of recognition or purpose? Knowing the “why” dictates the solution.
3. The Leadership Variable: Would you stay if your boss changed overnight? If the answer is yes, the problem might be the manager, not the mission.
4. The Improvement Test: If conditions improved tomorrow, would you stay? This reveals whether you are running from a problem or toward a new goal.
5. The Goal Trajectory: Does this job bring you closer to your ultimate professional ambitions? If the role is a dead end, no amount of comfort is worth the stagnation.

Strategic Pivots vs. Emotional Exits

If the audit reveals that money is your primary pain point, Tipping advises against silent resentment. Instead, conduct cold, hard research on industry benchmarks. Armed with data on your market value, approach your manager with an open conversation about your achievements and expectations. This transforms the dynamic from a demand to a negotiation.

If the issue is structural—like a lack of purpose or toxic leadership—no paycheck can offset the long-term drain on your ambition. In this scenario, the “audit” provides the clarity needed to leave with confidence rather than fear.

Conclusion: Make the Leap with Intention

Whether you are part of the 9% seeking a new job or the 21% hunting for higher income, 2026 is the year to move with intention. Quitting is a tool, not a cure-all. By using Tipping’s self-audit, you ensure that your next move isn’t just a change of scenery, but a calculated step toward a career that pays better, feels better, and lasts longer.