There’s a trick to the Graceful Exit. It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, a relationship is over – and to let go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its value.
Ellen Goodman

Anyone who has taken up a good amount of responsibility will understand how difficult it can be to accept that it is time to let go. Because commitment usually comes with a commensurate level of attachment.

Recently, I have announced my retirement from the Singaporean Ingress Resistance community, after 5 years wearing various hats in the community. Event organiser, swag designer, hospitality lead... Etc. Having been a part of all three victories for my faction in Singapore, I am proud to have done it all and now bid the community a fond farewell.

There are others joining me in this season of graduations, as they too have recognised that it is time for a change of guard. It's not my first graduation, and it is not likely to be my last.

I suspect it won't be the hardest post for me to relinquish. I also suspect everyone has to go through this process one after another. Because life is really just a massive game of musical chairs; you can't take a different seat without leaving your own.

Here are 5 signs that it's time to move on:

1) You feel it in your bones.

It's an itch. A twitch in your guts. But don't ignore it. Because it all builds up. If you're still here reading this, perhaps it's time to take a close look at your status quo.

2) You have found other priorities.

There is value in staying focused. You can work on more than one goal at a time, but when you have, say, more than ten, you're quite unlikely to achieve them all. In fact, when you hold onto more than you can achieve, at least a few of the goals you have will be half-baked.

Something I do: Once in a while, I sit down and re-evaluate my priorities. Make it a list, and get it organised in order of importance. Figure out the cut-off point, and let go of the ones I don't truly care for. Priorities change as life progresses, so I don't beat myself up when I have to let go of things.

3) You no longer have unfinished business.

A little excerpt from Hegarty on Creativity: When a drawing's going wrong, what you don't do is turn over the page and start again. You keep working on that drawing until it's rght. Only then do you turn  the page over. That's how you learn.

Leaving loose ends means you may be written off as a person who doesn't follow through. So, unless there are other very extenuating circumstances, it's a terrible idea to leave without finishing what you set out to achieve. However, once you don't see anymore room for improvement (at least, given the status quo), it usually means you have learnt all that you can from the role you're in. It's alright to stay on, do your handovers and cruise along for a while, but if you stick too long...

4) You have stagnated.

If you have been doing more of the same thing without improvement, it means you either need to wake up your idea (as the Singaporeans say it), or find new avenues/directions for growth. When you have done everything you can to keep innovating within the said space, it means you have to find new pastures to keep growing.

5) You notice others who may do better if you give them your opportunities.

This criteria is probably the hardest to accept. First, it requires a strong sense of awareness. Then it requires two very oxymoronic personal qualities: The humbleness to recognise potential in others, and the confidence in yourself to do better elsewhere.