You’ve decided to leave your job. Congratulations! Now it’s time to face the major undertaking of finding a new one. Job hunting isn’t much fun to start with, and when you’re trying to get out of a bad situation, a negative point of view can make it even harder. But there are some simple things you can do to make it more manageable, show up strong in your interviews to land the gig, and leave your current job with grace.

As a career coach, I see the same challenges over and over when people have reached the point of quitting, but are having a hard time gaining traction in finding a new role:

Job hunting takes time and energy most people don’t have to spare.
Figuring out how to find jobs to apply to that won’t be more of the same is overwhelming.
And then there’s the job you’re already in, sucking the motivation to put in great work and represent yourself as a star in interviews right out of you.

Focus on where you’re headed, not what you’re escaping

When you’re in desperation job search mode, begrudgingly motivated by getting out of a bad situation, the first thing you need to do is shift your focus from escaping the negativity to heading toward something better. The best way to do that is by taking action:

Before you start trolling job boards and sending out your resume shotgun style to anything that matches your experience, it helps to visualize the kind of position that will make you want to show up every day.
Get clear on what’s not working for you now to find nice-to-haves and non-negotiables for your new job that are important to you as a whole person, not just an employee.
Survey the current job market to see the kinds of jobs and organizations that resonate with you to help narrow down your search parameters.

A shift in mindset and a targeted search will save time and frustration, and make it more likely that you’ll end up in a new position that’s a much better fit, instead of desperately diving into the first company that will take you.

Network, Network, Network

For most people, networking evokes awkward cocktail hours and painful calls with someone your dad used to work with giving out-of-date advice. But you have complete control over your networking experience, and it starts with making an effort to stay connected to people from your life that you like. Favorite co-workers, fun collaborators, cool bosses, and close friends all count.

When it comes to finding a new job, activating your contact list has multiple benefits. Not only will you engage more people in your job search, but you’ll also be reminded of what it’s like when you’re at your best, working with people who get you. Job hunting is lonely work, engaging your network gives you a sense you’re not alone, adding an invaluable morale boost.

Here’s how to get started:

Get onto LinkedIn and start reaching out to people you’d sincerely enjoy catching up with, and anyone you know working in a company, role, or industry you’re interested in.
Invite your connections to have a 30-minute conversation to catch up.
On the call, ask how they’re doing, let them know you’re on the hunt for a new job and have a few talking points to give them a sense of what you’re looking for in the event they come across a good fit.
End the conversation by asking if there’s anything you can do for them.

When you find jobs you’d like to apply to, look into your network to see if you know anyone at the company who can put in a good word or give you more insight. And if the hiring manager or recruiter is listed, send them a note to see if they’d be willing to have a brief introductory interview so you can learn more about the company and position.

The worst that can happen is for your invitation to be declined or ignored. And that may have more to do with the person you reached out to than you.

Embrace Your Lame Duck Period

Finding focus in your job hunt, activating your network, and applying for jobs all at once is a lot of work. When you’re already feeling burned out and still working full time at a bad job, it can feel impossible. And that may be true if you’re still putting in the same amount of effort you were when you had aspirations to grow at your current company. But once you’ve decided to quit, it’s time to let go of that vision and all the extra labor that goes along with it. This is what I like to call the lame duck period — that final moment in time when it’s inevitable that you are on your way out the door.

Those big, long-term problems that have been keeping you awake at night aren’t going to be solved before you’re gone. That doesn’t mean stop doing the work you’re supposed to do and do it well. It means detaching your emotional well-being from how it’s received and whether it works out. Don’t think of it as becoming careless, but as caring less.

While you’re creating a sense of healthy detachment from your work, the lame duck period is also a great time to try out new boundaries you can take with you into your next position so you don’t fall into the same burnout-inducing patterns. Stop taking calls after 6 PM. Block time on your calendar for solo work and don’t allow meetings to be scheduled over it. Put the well-being of your team above all else. Take a sick day when you’re sick. If you’ve already got one foot out the door, the stakes are lower. Take advantage of that time to get accustomed to the way you want to show up to work at your next job.

Ask for help

Working in a toxic environment has real, potentially long-lasting negative effects on even the most stalwart of corporate employees. You’re not crazy, overreacting, or expecting too much when those effects turn into mental and physical health issues, burnout, or even trauma. If making the transition out of your current job into a new one truly feels impossible to face alone, reach out to your support system, including your therapist, and consider hiring a coach who can help with logistics and accountability to get you on a healthier track. You deserve better.