Quit Your Job and Go All in on Your Dreams

Hold up! In my experience, this has been terrible advice.

I have seen coaches and “online entrepreneurs” give this kind of advice to many people. Usually, the rationale is that you only live once and you can’t let the music die inside you. As such, you must go all in with your passions and become your own boss bro or boss babe. (Watch out if they are selling a course about this topic.)

I understand we only got one shot at this life, but the all-or-nothing attitude could do more harm than good. The reason why? Neediness.

Let’s face it—we need a certain amount of income to live in our society. Cutting off your only source of income will have you stressed, overwhelmed, and eventually scrambling to make ends meet. You may look or feel calm, cool, and collected for a bit, but those 3 AM money worries will come.

Furthermore, the pressure to make ends meet will have you vulnerable to pushy, unethical marketing and sales tactics. Then you will have to decide whether or not you are willing to compromise your heart and values because you need to make money.

Building a sustainable and authentic business income takes many months to years. Some of the good coaches out there—the ones that walk the walk—recommend budgeting anywhere from 18 months to 5 years for replacement income from your job.

In my opinion, it’s much healthier to plan on having a job for the next 3 years while side hustling to grow your authentic business. In the beginning, the scales will tip heavy towards your job. Business progress will seem slow and not much ground will be gained.

What will help balance the scales, or even tip the scales towards your business, is consistently showing up and doing the right things at the right time. Eventually, the next challenge will be figuring out how to move your job to part time status—now the excitement starts!

Try creating a plan that involves both your day job and business. Also create an exit strategy or transition plan from your job. Most of all, be ruthless with your boundaries. Don’t let your day job consume you. I’m rooting for you.