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Poor exits at work, in relationships, or with habits are often fraught with fear and avoidance.

Today we have phrases made popular that glorify the horrible pattern of a cut-and-run parting style.

When we don’t part smart, we may repeat similarly poor mistakes in the future.

If first impressions matter, last impressions matter even more. People dread handing in a two- to four-week notice at work. They stay silent when a relationship has struggles rather than communicate, which could mend matters. Poor habits creep into exits, especially with technology, yet bad departures can create a lifetime of disappointment, uneasy questions, and lingering emotion.

Dr. Henry Cloud, author of Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward, writes, “Endings are a natural part of the universe. Your life and business must face them, stagnate or die.” There’s a universality of endings to get to the next level and grow. Endings you avoid don’t disappear, per Dr. Cloud. They cost more the longer you wait to face them.

In our information age, industries are interconnected. News of unprofessional behavior travels among former colleagues and second-hand channels. When flooded with emotion after being let go or pressured to resign, some don’t think about the months that follow. Sabotaging the office, badmouthing others, and unpleasant behavior bodes poorly for that needed LinkedIn endorsement or job reference. You also don’t want to be branded with an internal red flag in HR not to rehire if the trajectory of your path ever changes.

Before you exit, give adequate notice, leave needed records, and be a resource. Maintain positive relationships with colleagues for everyone’s sake because a solid professional network pays off.

Kicking a bad habit has health and relationship benefits. If you don’t, other partings may be rendered a moot point. We spend a shocking 43% of our day doing things........

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