How to Quit Your Job

If you’re sitting at your 9-5 (or whatever crummy hours you do), day in, day out, dreaming of doing something you actually care about then this is for you.

In this article I tackle the three most common reasons people are still working a job they don’t love. Hold on tight, this may well change your life!

Reason 1: I don’t know what to do instead Oh, I hear you. I’ve Changed My Life in 7 Days except it took me five years, and I’ve tried to figure out What Colour is My Parachute and was left dangling in the air wondering where the heck I would land. Boy, those books made it drawn out and over-complicated.

This is why I do the work that I do. It gives you the answer to what you’re meant to be doing at this stage of your life. You can stop going round in circles, for Pete’s sake. It’s time now, my lovely.

Reason 2: I don’t want to give up my regular salary It makes logical sense to stick with a job that’s paying for the roof over your head – you’d be barking mad to jack that in, right? Especially in (put on serious, deep voice) “these tough economic times”, right? Wrong!

Listen, I get you. While I was training to be a coach I was working a job I didn’t love. It helped to pay the bills and the part time hours suited me.

But then one day my boss seriously overstepped the mark – he could be a very rude man – and my self-respect kicked in over and above my need to pay for groceries. I walked straight out the door and never went back, with no idea how I’d make ends meet. But, do you know what? I did make ends meet. Better than!

Where I had been a bit relaxed in terms of my training and setting up my business, this gave me the kick up the wotsit I needed to get my act together. Here’s what I did:

• I got a business coach for focus, business development and accountability and together we generated ideas to earn money
• I booked onto a money-mindset course that I “couldn’t afford” and made back the investment in TWO DAYS
• I joined an online community of entrepreneurs at different stages of their business development and got support, encouragement and lessons from their wealth of experience.

What did I learn?

• Your day job is keeping you in your day job. (Surprise!)
• If you invest in what you know deep down you need – whether or not you can “afford it” – the money will come
• Others have been where you are – reach out to them and they’ll help you get there faster and more efficiently.

 

Now, I’m not saying you should just walk straight out of your day job like I did if the idea leaves you in a cold sweat. It doesn’t have to be that severe and for most people it’s a terrifying thing to contemplate – I get that – and it can be irresponsible. So, below the next point are a few things that it helps to have in place to make the transition easier…

Reason 3: I’m scared of taking the leap from employed to self-employed Of course you are! Who the heck isn’t? Going from a regular salary, nice pension, holiday pay, medical insurance… to being totally responsible for every area of your business and having to “hustle” for your next pay check – yikes! To make that transition less of a shock to your system, it helps to stay in your day job until you have the following in place:

Knowledge of your purpose (get that here) To ensure you’re going to be happy going off and doing whatever it is you’re going off to do, it’s essential you’re putting your energies into what you love, rather than into something you think your parents think is a “good, sensible decision”, or whatever nonsense we tell ourselves.

A business, whether it’s profitable or not yet, that’s in line with your personal values If you have a business but are uncertain about whether it sits in line with your values take a look at this exercise that will give you the answer in about an hour.

6-12 months’ worth of buffer money Stay in your job for now and save yourself six to 12 months’ worth of buffer money to allow yourself to build your business without being in 24/7 total panic mode.

An overhaul of your finances Look at where you’re spending money and make sure it’s on things that are genuinely benefitting you in the long run, e.g. if you’re using your $50 a month gym membership, great, keep it. If you’re not using it, cancel it. Overhaul all your finances in this way to make them work for you instead of the other way around.

A support system of like-minded entrepreneurs Join an online or offline community of entrepreneurs, or a Mastermind group, and get involved. Help others with what you’ve already learned, and ask for help and support from those who are where you’re going.

A good coach that specializes in your particular need I can’t stress it enough: the right coach will catapult you into infinity and beyond. He or she will be the one that you just “vibe” with. What they say inspires you and makes sense to you. If you’re not sure how to choose a coach, read my article how to choose a life coach in 5 steps.

Hello, by the way, in case we haven’t met. I’m Lisa Cherry Beaumont, and I’m a Careers & Interview Coach. I help my clients find what they love and do that instead of the crap they think they must.

A 30 minute call with me is free of charge, without obligation and on a first come, first served basis – hit me up and let’s talk about how I can help you do what you love.

I can’t wait to speak with you. Lisa 🙂