Escaping the 9 to 5

Deciding to take the plunge and quit your day job is the hardest thing for most people to do.  Many people fantasize of storming into the boss’ office, telling him/her “I quit” and jetting off to an island somewhere, but for the majority this remains a dream.

It’s not that they don’t want to do it, but the ‘Fear of Uncertainty’ keeps them from attempting their dream.
Fear of not knowing what to do next.
Fear of not knowing where your next paycheck will come from.
Fear of what your friends/family will say.
Fear of failure.

No, for most it is much easier and safer to stay in the work force while it slowly sucks the life from you, do what you are supposed to do until you can  retire, which will probably be age 70 for many of you.

Until you get fed up with the politics at work, until you have had it with your boss’ incompetence, until you are tired of being insulted with the paltry 3% raises and until you become outraged at being ‘down-sized’ while other less competent workers stay employed, you will do nothing.

It’s Time

So finally the time is right, the stars are in alignment, and it’s time to go.  You’ve been diligently working your side job for years.  The business is growing and you almost make enough to replace your income from your day job.  But wait!

Being free of the daily grind and being your own boss is the dream for many people.  But it can quickly become a nightmare if you aren’t prepared.

We are trained from very young to do what we are told.  There is always someone planning our lives for us.  It starts with our parents, then our coaches and teachers, college professors and finally our employer.

When you are employed by a company you have to adhere to a certain structure.  You have to be at work at a certain time and are told what you need to do in order to receive your paycheck.

When you work for yourself there is no one to tell you to get out of bed.  You can sleep until noon if you choose, but your business will not grow.  When you work for yourself you have more freedom, but the money will not be coming in if you are not minding the helm.

Even if you are working you may not get compensation for it.  Many times you will need to focus on new ideas, marketing or working on a project.  When you work at a company as long as you show up you get a check whether you do a good job or not (I know that you are thinking of some of your co-workers right now).

With your own business some days you sell a lot and some days very little.  This is the hardest thing to get used to in the beginning, the inconsistency in salary.

I know that some ‘experts’ online will tell you that you can make a million dollars working only 5 hours a week.  This is not only nonsense, but if that is truly your work ethic then you probably won’t make it anyway.  Even the richest people in the world still work.  Do you think that the heads of Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon just sit around counting their money?

It’s worth it

For millions of people around the globe, daily life revolves around the routine of the morning commute, the endless hours of being trapped in a cubicle, warehouse or office.  They wish their lives away waiting for the weekend which is over all too soon and then it’s Monday morning again.

That’s no way to go through life. Don’t get stuck in a job you hate. Life is too short and you need to enjoy it while you can.

In today’s tech world it is possible to start your own business.  You can do it.  You are no longer restricted by the gate keepers that are in power.  The power is being handed over to the little guy.

It is not easy, but if you want it bad enough it can be done.