93. How to Know When to Go

Episode 93: How to Know When to Go

The Career Clinic Podcast

Host: Ronnie Dickerson Stewart

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Episode Overview

Welcome to Week Four — the final week — of The Career Clinic Podcast January Intensive Series.

In Episode 93, Ronnie tackles one of the most consequential career questions many people face: How do you know when it’s time to go?

Not quitting reactively.
Not staying out of fear, loyalty, or inertia.
Not confusing a hard season with a finished one.

This episode offers a grounded, practical approach to discerning when a chapter is complete — and when what’s actually required is a pause, reset, or renegotiation instead of an exit.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why “stay or go” is rarely a simple yes/no decision
✔️ How to distinguish misalignment from normal discomfort
✔️ A practical framework to assess your current season
✔️ The difference between a Going Season and a Woahing Season
✔️ Why staying too long can quietly erode health and momentum
✔️ How to prepare for transitions without panic or urgency
✔️ What aligned leaving actually looks like

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The Core Framework: Earning, Learning, Leveraging ✍🏾

Ronnie introduces a decision-making framework she uses frequently with coaching clients navigating inflection points.

Ask yourself three questions:

1. Am I earning?
Not just salary — but fair compensation, resources, respect, and support relative to the value you’re creating.

2. Am I learning?
Are you still growing, stretching, or building skills that matter for your future?

3. Am I leveraging?
Is this role, leader, or organization creating momentum, credibility, or access for what’s next?

If the answer is no to two or more, it’s time to pause and evaluate — not panic, but pay attention.

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When It May Be Time to Go

If earning, learning, or leveraging cannot be improved — even after conversations, negotiation, or boundary-setting — that’s often a signal the season may be ending.

Going doesn’t require immediate action.
It requires clarity.

Key questions include:

• What would need to change for this to work?

• Is that change realistically possible here?

• If not, what provision and timeline would I need to exit well?

Leaving well is a process, not a reaction.

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An Important Signal: Languishing 🤎

Ronnie names a signal that deserves serious attention: languishing.

This isn’t a bad week or temporary fatigue. It’s the slow loss of energy, clarity, and connection to yourself.

Languishing often costs:

• Physical and mental health

• Personal relationships

• Confidence and self-trust

• Long-term career momentum

No role is worth sustained erosion.

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Going Season vs. Woahing Season

This episode adds nuance using Ronnie’s Five Seasons Framework, with a clear distinction between Going Season and Woahing Season.

Going Season
A season of intentional preparation to leave — a role, organization, identity, or chapter that no longer fits.
The clarity here is steady and persistent, not emotional or reactive.

Woahing Season
A pause season.
Not leaving — but slowing down, repacing, restoring energy, resetting boundaries, or addressing overextension.

Woahing is about saying “Hold on”, not “I’m done.”
Leaving during a Woahing Season often means carrying the same patterns into the next chapter.

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When Going Isn’t Your Choice

Ronnie also addresses involuntary transitions — layoffs, restructures, and role eliminations.

Key reminders:

• These are business decisions, not reflections of your worth

• You still get to shape your narrative

• Preparation protects you, even if nothing changes

Preparation can include:

• Maintaining relationships inside and outside your organization

• Staying visible without becoming performative

• Creating financial runway when possible

• Paying attention without spiraling

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What Going Well Requires

If you’re clear that it’s time to go, this episode emphasizes three essentials:

Clarity
Know what you’re moving toward — even if it’s rest, recovery, or space.

Planning
Timeline, provision, and next steps matter.

Grace
Leaving is emotionally complex, even when it’s right.

Aligned exits are thoughtful, not dramatic.

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Listener Reflection 🤎

This week, complete an Earning, Learning, Leveraging audit.

Then ask:

• Am I in a Going Season or a Woahing Season?

• What one step would bring clarity right now?

Discernment is part of leadership. There’s no rush.

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