5 Signs You Shoulda Quit the Tech Grind YEARS Ago

17:20

If your passion for tech work is barely a flicker, it might be time to stop working for companies—and start building something for yourself.

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5 Signs You Shoulda Quit the Tech Grind YEARS Ago

The First Sign: You’re Just Too Good at Your Job

I knew something was off the day I realized I could deploy code to production in my sleep. Everything passed. No fire drills. No pressure. But also—no excitement. I wasn’t challenged anymore. If that’s you, here’s a hard truth: overkilling your work isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a blinking warning sign.

Real burnout isn’t always about working too hard. Sometimes it’s working on things you no longer care about. If your daily routine feels like autopilot, if your contribution barely moves the needle for you emotionally—it might be time to stop working for companies and start building something for yourself.

The Second Sign: You’ve Stopped Caring About the Tech Stack

I used to geek out over every framework comparison and language debate. Angular vs React? Java vs Rust? I lived for that stuff. But after years in the field, that fire faded. I found myself caring less about what we used, and more about what worked.

When you shift from “which tech is cool?” to “which tech solves the problem best?”, that’s a maturity signal. But it also means you’ve likely outgrown the developer role. You’ve become a strategist. A consultant. Someone who should be making calls, not taking them. And that shift in mindset could be the push you need to consider self-employment.

The Third Sign: Your Side Gig Has Become Your Real Job

For me, music and building side projects started taking over my energy. I’d clock in and do my job, sure—but it was clear my passion lived elsewhere. If you’re more energized by your evening hobby than your morning stand-up, don’t ignore that.

It’s not just a sign of burnout—it’s a clue to your calling. Your company might pay you well, but money without meaning breeds mediocrity. And that passion project you’ve been nursing? It might actually have income potential—you just haven’t given it a real shot.

The Fourth Sign: You’re Hoarding Vacation Days

I used to bank my PTO like gold. I told myself I was saving it in case I needed runway—though deep down, I think I was subconsciously preparing for the day I’d finally quit. That “escape plan” was always in the back of my mind.

If you’re stockpiling days off, refusing to rest, and dreaming of freedom, your body might be telling you what your brain is too scared to admit: you’re done. You’re waiting for “someday” to come. But someday rarely knocks—it has to be invited.

The Fifth Sign: You’re Annoyed by Other People’s Promotions

This one hit me hard. I’d be in all-hands meetings hearing someone get praised or promoted, and my gut reaction? “Who cares?” It wasn’t jealousy. It was apathy. That ladder? I didn’t want to climb it anymore. I wanted to burn it down.

When you stop caring about recognition, titles, or your manager’s approval, you’ve emotionally divorced the corporate game. Staying any longer is like crashing on your old college buddy’s couch—it’s time to move on. Not with resentment, but with clarity.

What to Do If You’re Ready to Quit the Tech Grind

If any of those signs resonate with you, here are five actions you can take today—not next year—to start moving toward freedom.

1. Stop Investing in the Ladder

Start treating your job like a paycheck, not a path. That 3% raise next year? It’s just covering inflation. If you’ve been aiming for promotions that don’t excite you, it’s time to quit the game. You don’t have to announce it—just stop feeding the machine with your energy.

Quietly reclaim your emotional investment. Instead of chasing more visibility or volunteering for extra work, reallocate that energy toward building something that benefits you—not your employer.

2. Sell Something You Don’t Use—and Fund Your Future

I’ve sold guitars and gear over the years, not just to declutter—but to invest in myself. Got an old laptop? Sell it. Use the cash to fund a side project. Buy hosting. Try a new tool. Get a course. Anything that fuels your escape instead of your employer’s bottom line.

This simple act of repurposing unused stuff to fund your self-employment journey reinforces the mindset shift: you’re investing in you now.

3. Take One Hour Back Each Day

I’ve coached hundreds of tech workers. They’ll say they work 8 hours a day, but when they break it down, it’s closer to 10. Slack. Meetings. Follow-ups. Most of that extra time? Unpaid and unnoticed.

Take one of those hours back. Block it. Guard it. And use it to brainstorm ideas, study your niche, write content, or talk to potential clients. That single reclaimed hour, multiplied over weeks, can birth a business.

4. Pitch a Fake Client

Don’t wait for real clients to start practicing. Write a proposal today for a fictional company based on your expertise. Price it. Add terms. Pretend it’s real.

Then read it back to yourself—or send it to a friend—and ask, “Would I buy this?” This is a safe way to get reps in before the pressure is on. It also builds confidence: the first real client you pitch won’t be the first proposal you’ve ever written.

5. Burn One Bridge (Strategically)

Here’s a bold but necessary move: cut one optional responsibility you’ve taken on at work. That architecture review meeting you don’t need to attend? Bail. The extra PR reviews you volunteered for? Step back.

Don’t nuke your reputation. Just stop doing things that only made sense when you still wanted to climb the ladder. It’ll free up your time and remind you that you’re transitioning out—not climbing deeper in.

Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting. Start Reclaiming.

For years, I told myself I might go solo—someday. I let burnout, fear, and financial comfort stall me for a decade longer than I should’ve stayed. You don’t have to make the same mistake.

If these signs hit close to home, that’s not a coincidence. It’s your wake-up call. You already know what needs to change. The only question is: will you do something about it?

About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show

On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.

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YOUR HOST

Jayme Edwards

A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.

Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.