This is half of a two-part story. Read the related article of how Sam Polk walked away from making millions at a hedge fund: How Sam Polk, Former Wall Street Trader And ‘Wealth Addict,’ Broke Free Of His Golden Handcuffs.  So … you’re unhappy with your work, but the money is too good to jump ship.  You’re trapped by what are called “golden handcuffs.”  The phrase is used to describe financial incentives companies offer employees so they don’t leave — for instance, stock options that vest several years down the road, or policies that require departing workers to return a portion of their bonuses. But from an employee’s standpoint, it is to be unhappy with your job but uncertain how to leave because of financial fears or the loss of prestige.  “Golden handcuffs are the financial security, comfort and safety of high-paying, cushy jobs that are unfulfilling in some way or all ways, or downright miserable-making, but they keep us bound to our desks and offices because we become dependent on them or scared to leave or addicted to the various aspects of fast-paced, high-stress career,” says Sara DiVello, author of Where in the OM Am I? One Woman’s Journey From the Corporate World to the Yoga Mat.  Like many in your high-paying track, you may have adopted its lifestyle, whether that means a multi-bedroom house with a big mortgage, a private school education for your children, or even a country club membership — along with a group of friends who also belong.  It may feel like an impossible situation, but many people have broken free of their golden handcuffs and landed in a far better place.  The key to success is to do some soul-searching and even spiritual work, combined with some very practical financial homework.  To break free of golden handcuffs, here are tips from Sam Polk, former Wall Street trader who published a New York Times op-ed about his “wealth addiction” and talked with Forbes about his decision, and three career experts.  1. Find out what is really making you unhappy — your job or your career.  Sometimes, your dissatisfaction stems from a toxic boss or a poor work environment, and your problem can be resolved by switching firms, says Dr. Richard Orbe-Austin, executive coach psychologist and partner of Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting. “Network with people in similar positions at different firms,” he says. “Talk with a career coach. Is it a bad fit for me to be in corporate finance or corporate law or is it that I need to go to a smaller firm?” If you find out that what you’re experiencing is the nature of the industry, you’ll need to make a bigger shift.  Even if you figure out your next career path before you quit, you may still experience an employment gap. If you are in such a high-pressured job that you don’t have brain space or time to figure out what you want to do next, then you’ll definitely have to live on savings. Either way, begin to see how you can cut back expenses, or make extra money. Polk, for instance, downsized from a $6,000/month apartment to a $2,700/month one. Or, maybe your partner can start logging extra hours.  “Since the average job search takes about four to six months, you should craft a plan of action, which entails saving and living on that for at least six months,” says Dr. Orbe-Austin. Note that he said “at least six months.” If you think you’ll need to take time to figure out your next career move, amass more savings, or downsize your lifestyle even further.  Having enough savings will help ensure you don’t chicken out. “If we’re worried about not having enough money, it will be hard to do this transition,” says Heather Hans, psychotherapist and spiritual healer and author of The Heart of Self Love: How to Radiate With Confidence.
If you're trapped by the golden handcuffs of a cushy job that you dislike, you can break free. Here's how.