On a limb, or a ledge maybe

I did the unthinkable.  Anyone with half a brain would tell you not to tell your boss you are planning to quit until you have another job.

To be fair, that's not exactly how the conversation went.  He opened the door, I just decided to walk through it.  And no, I didn't tell him I am leaving yet.  I am supposed to be "thinking" about it for another couple of weeks.  Do a little soul searching while I am in Vermont visiting my brother's family.

It all came up in the context of my annual review and the pressure that has been/is being put on me to make partner.  And as you know, I have been struggling with this decision.  Or at least I was, until I made it.  To make the half hour conversation short, he basically said if you want to make partner I will help you do that, if you want to leave the firm I will help you do that, and help you make sure you find the right job.  Whatever you want to do I will help you be successful.   He said he would start making phone calls, do whatever he could to help me.  Wow, right?  Oh yeah - and they won't let me go while I find my next job.  I get to keep working there while I find it.

So as I mentioned, maybe, I can't remember - he knows someone at Google who might be able to get me the job there.  It is also possible that there could be an opportunity at Apple for me.  All in all, the conversation with the partner went better than I ever could have expected.  And the prospect of a new job is pretty exciting.

So why do I feel so bad?