launchyourdream

I think I just might be.   Crazy, foolish, stupid, downright moronic. Or…?

 I’ve known for some time that the end is in sight.  And it does not make any sense. In this troubled economy what is sensible about quitting a job that provides good pay, great benefits, excellent PTO (paid time off), and enjoyable friends to work with?   Nothing is sensible about that choice. 

The thing is, I’m not going to quit to go to just another job. I’ve been at the job nearly 4 years- a record for me. It’s not easy to give all that up.  The only reason to quit a good dayjob is to pursue your passion full-time.  But there are steps take before jumping the gate.

1. Put more money in savings. I’d like to see 2-3 months of expenses. I’d go for more but I’m fortunate to not be the sole breadwinner in my home. Because we essentially live on about 60% of our combined net income in my household, it shouldn’t take too long.
2. Don’t burn your bridges. Save the things you want  to tell your boss, “Take this job and shove it” style for your diary.  Grown people know that references are vital to the next gig. So, even if it is your own business or freelance project, you might need the recommendation later or a contact from the old job.
3. Turn your passion into your second job.  If you haven’t started to work every spare minute on your passion it’s time to get started. And not just on the fun stuff like painting or writing or planting flowers or cooking pies. Get knowledgeable about business skills, people skills. My daddy always told me if I wasn’t willing to work an extra 20-30 hours in my own business while still working a full-time job I wouldn’t be able to survive self-employment. This is a guy who has been in business for himself nearly 30 years. 
4. Make damn sure you are crazy enough. You know the  saying, “Physician heal thyself”? Well, if you want to quit your dayjob to pursue your passion  you should be following the mantra, “Know thyself.”  Get a pad and pen, write down every reason you want to quit your job then write down every reason you should stay at your job.  Write down your fears, expectations, goals and devise the most barebones budget you can live with.  Are you still  willing to give it a try? In the current economy?
5. Earn some money  at  your passion before you quit. Set a dollar amount that you have to earn. For me, it is a small amount. $1,000 will do.  For you it might be $10,000 or replace your monthly income for 3 months consecutively.

When you’ve done all of these 5 things and  still can’t talk any sense into yourself, then I say go for it! Put yourself out there and see what kind of dream life you can craft.

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