The Exit Timeline: When to Start Planning vs. When to Actually Leave

People conflate two very different decisions: when to start planning an exit, and when to actually leave. They sit on different timelines, and confusing them is why consultants either jump too early without a plan or wait too long out of inertia. Separate them, and the whole thing gets clearer.

Start planning earlier than feels necessary

The planning should start well before you intend to leave, ideally months ahead. Positioning, a clear target, and a warm network all take time to build, and they can't be rushed when you're suddenly desperate to go. The best time to get your resume and LinkedIn right, define your target, and reconnect with your network is when you're under no pressure. Planning early costs you nothing and gives you options.

The planning phase

In this phase you're building readiness, not applying. Get clear on your target role, industry, and company stage. Rebuild your resume and LinkedIn so they read like an operator. Quietly reconnect with people in the spaces you're considering, just to learn. Keep an eye on the market so you know what's out there. None of this requires you to have decided to leave. It just means that when you do decide, you can move in days instead of months.

When to actually leave

Leaving is a separate trigger. You move when a few things line up: you have a clear target, your positioning is sharp, and ideally you have real opportunities in motion. The smartest exits happen from strength, while you're still employed, with leverage and no financial pressure. The worst exits happen reactively, when burnout or a bad project pushes you out before you're ready.

Why the sequence matters

If you skip the planning phase and only start when you're done, you'll spend your most frustrated months building positioning from scratch, which is exactly when it's hardest to do well. If you plan early but never set a real trigger to leave, you drift in "one more year" mode indefinitely. You need both: early, unhurried planning, and a clear, honest trigger to actually go.

The practical version

Start the planning now, regardless of when you think you'll leave. Build your target, your positioning, and your network in the background. Then watch for the signals (stalled growth, disengagement, a great opportunity) that tell you it's time to move, and when they come, you'll be ready to act instead of scramble.

If you want a clear plan for both phases, take the free Placement Readiness Assessment and we'll map your timeline and your next move.