Reflections Archives – Page 2 of 3

Guest Interview – Resigning With No Backup Plan

One of the primary reasons I decided to start a new blog was to chronicle my experiences in leaving Corporate America to dedicate more time to other pursuits. This decision was not one I took lightly, and in making it I read other blogs, consulted with others, and talked to friends who had made similar leaps of faith. Without the encouragement and support of my family and close friends, I don’t know that I ever would have actually done it.

One of the friends who inspired me is Hideki (we call him H). He is much more than a friend – we consider him family. We met at the ripe old age of 21 during a boozy weekend in Las Vegas, of all places, and discovered that our places of employment were adjacent. This led to lunches, co-mingling of groups of friends, and a friendship that has lasted through partying, traveling (including a tour of China and an amazing volunteer trip to Ghana), countless jobs, roommating, heated arguments, untimely deaths of loved ones, times of pain, spiritual upheavals, and much more. He is one of the few people I can be completely and brutally honest with – secure in the knowledge that our friendship will last until the end (even though he and I may disagree about what happens after “the end”). 🙂

So when H decided to suddenly quit his job to travel, I took notice. I had never considered him “that type” – he always had seemed like the type of guy to do things the right way. The good education, the college degree, the stable job, the home. But something changed after his sister passed away. He explained it (much more eloquently) as a change in life priorities. And he followed his heart without seemingly any of the fear or worry that I would later experience when I took my own leap. I did and still do admire it – and things have worked out well for him, even without the anxiety!

I asked H if I could interview him for this blog, so that he could share a bit of his experiences and thought processes with others. He was happy to participate.

Thank you for meeting with me today, H. Can you tell us what your professional role was in your former (pre-discovery) phase of Corporate American life?

I was a Product Development Engineer, responsible for researching market needs, developing products, taking products to market, and then analyzing quality trends and implementing countermeasures to improve products throughout their respective life cycles.

Did you like your job? What specifically did you like and dislike?

I did – I enjoyed my job. I worked for an automotive tire manufacturer, which meant a lot of time at race tracks. Who wouldn’t want to spend time at a race track? Also I liked that in Product Development we were inventing new products to fit niche segments or to bring something new to market. Bringing a product to life was a great feeling. When I started developing racing products, to see that product win or change the industry brought validation to our hard work. I also really enjoyed working with my counterparts and departmental VP – we were like a close knit family. And as I said, I loved spending time at race tracks and driving on race tracks. As far as dislikes go, I didn’t enjoy all the traveling. The destinations were usually okay, but waking up early and getting on planes became a pain the ass. I didn’t care for ineffective coworkers and management in other departments. And I despised people who had their own agenda.

When did you begin feeling that you might want a change?

When my sister unexpectedly passed away in 2006 I realized that frustration born from work wasn’t good for the soul – and that life was short. But I didn’t feel like I actually needed a change until maybe 2008 or 2009 (I quit in May 2010).

Did you know what kind of a change you would be looking for?

I wanted to change my employment status with the company.

What prompted you to quit your job?

My VP quit a few months prior to me quitting, so that probably accelerated the urgency. The final straw was when HR and upper management decided to “red circle” our department [this typically means that salary ranges are adjusted and employees with salaries over the new maximum amounts have their salaries frozen at current levels]. They could not explain their methodology or exactly how this new policy was implemented – or even how it worked. They weren’t transparent. The company was struggling at the time so maybe they wanted people to quit.

How did you prepare to quit – mentally, financially, etc?

After my VP quit, I spoke to him a few times about my feelings around not wanting to work there much longer. Financially I knew I was secure for a long time and I knew my skills would allow me to land a job quickly even if the economy was still struggling. I don’t think I prepared much – I might have quickly calculated what my expenses were for a month.

What were your fears or concerns about quitting? How did you overcome these?

I didn’t have any fears about it. It felt right to do it. It was time, and I was at peace.

What was the reaction of others around you when you quit?

I think my dad and my old VP were concerned a bit, probably a “fatherly” concern. Some friends thought I was crazy to leave a job which seemed enjoyable from the outside. Coworkers in my department were sad. The new Director (who replaced the VP) didn’t know what to do or say – even HR people didn’t really know how to handle it. Why do they give exit interviews anyway? Some of those questions should have been asked when people are still employed, not on their way out. A few other coworkers quit shortly after me, so I like to say that I showed them the light. Faye, how did you feel when I quit?

I was surprised. Probably a bit concerned as well – my hope was that you were not making a rash decision and that you would be okay financially and in other aspects. And you were. I think it changed you for the better.

Got it.

Did you have any doubts? What were they?

No. No doubts.

What was your plan for after you quit?

Hang out and not worry about work. Clear my mind. Take a road trip.

Did you follow through on this plan? What changes did you make?

I mainly followed through. I wish I would have traveled more, a lot more, and out of the country.

What did you do during your period of unemployment?

I cycled and took a 5,000 mile road trip throughout the western United States and into Canada. I hung out with my sister in Denver and babysat for my couple-months-old niece when my sister had to go back to work and my brother-in-law’s schedule was still being worked out. I traveled up to San Francisco with a buddy. Mainly, I just relaxed and turned off my mind. I was okay with waking up and not worrying.

How would you characterize this experience?

I just think of it as turning off the mind. It was refreshing and relaxing. Literally not even having to think at all about what to do during the day. It was pretty amazing.

How did this experience change you?

I don’t know if the time off changed me.

How and when did you decide to go back to a traditional job?

I had a plan to start looking after the New Year (I had quit in May 2010). I don’t know why exactly that time frame – I guess some type of responsibility to make a plan is a part of my make-up. So I knew I had to work again. I ended up going back to work in November or December 2010 because my friend had an easy contract job for me that was only 32 hours a week. Three day weekends were perfect. Unfortunately after a short stint the contractor had “better” ideas for me and placed me at my current company.

Did your experience of not working change the way you went about looking for a job, and the type of job you sought out?

I had thought about changing industries and making a life change, but ultimately I enjoy the industry I am in. It is something I have wanted to do since high school. I had always been lucky in the past finding jobs – almost always through someone I knew – so I didn’t think I would have to do much in finding the next job, and I was right.

What type of professional role did you ultimately end up in?

Similar role as previous, but more on the quality side instead of development – although I do get to help develop the products in my specific area.

How does this role compare to your previous Corporate American role?

It is very similar since that is where my experience is, but I can do it with little thought. It is mindless work. A lot less frustration.

What do you like or dislike about this new role?

I like that I mainly just work within my group and that it is mindless – it takes little thought. As far as dislikes, it is still work, and I still have to be there for at least eight hours a day. I also dislike ineffective management.

Do you see yourself taking time off work again? If so, when and for how long?

Quitting has started to cross my mind again. I have some frustrations with coworkers within and outside of the department, and a Senior Group Manager’s ego and management style bother me. Professionally I have accomplished the primary goals I had since high school, so if I quit now I might be able to take on a new challenge. If I quit, though, I worry about they type of work I could find. My network and experience are strong, but I feel it would be difficult to explain quitting twice. If I quit, I hope it is for my retirement – hopefully an early one.

How have your experiences changed you and your philosophies?

From my sister’s death until now, I think it is all about having fun. What happens – happens. I try not to worry too much or at all about work – I want to leave it at my desk. Life is too short.

What would you say to your former Corporate American self now in terms of advice?

I am not sure. I think that everything happened the way it would have. I guess I could have quit sooner, but I’m not sure that I would have been as at ease because of the passion I had with developing a certain product. But I do think that quitting earlier and letting go sooner would have been the right thing to do. I would advise my younger self to do things less “responsibly” during school or after graduating. Not focusing only on work and then buying a house as the next steps. Instead, focusing on traveling, having fun. Being a kid.

What advice would you give others dreaming of taking a leap of faith?

Do it! You only have one life to live. Nobody on their deathbed says, “I wish I worked more.” I am sure that it’s always, “Why didn’t I….” I assume that anyone even thinking or dreaming of taking a leap of faith is probably more financially well off or has the support structure needed. So don’t hesitate. If you need to work, I am assuming that work or a job will be easy to find.

Any other words of wisdom to share?

Take happiness over money. Don’t let money be your drive. Even after four years at my current company, I still make 10% or so less than when I quit – but I have been 100% more happy from Day 1. Don’t take work so seriously. Ultimately you have to think of yourself because the company won’t. Life is too short to live in misery.

Thank you, H. I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me – and am excited for all the adventures ahead of you!

Mid-Life Advice For My 20-Year-Old Self | Featured on The Huffington Post

I can’t believe that this year I will be 40 years old. The big 4-0. Officially over the hill.

I’ve learned a lot on this journey so far. And it got me to thinking:

What do I wish I could tell my 20-year-old self?

I answer this question in a post that I’m very excited is being featured on The Huffington Post today. Would love if you would check it out!

Cheers! 🙂

How I Knew it Was Time to Quit My Job

Resigning from my corporate job was not a decision I took lightly. In fact, I agonized over it for years. Ran the financials, considered what I would do instead, developed my spreadsheets and To Do lists, and then ran the numbers again. Certain friends told me that I was a victim of analysis paralysis, and that I just needed to take the leap already.

Then fate took a stance and I was suddenly out on a medical leave for a temporary health issue that was simply debilitating (more on that in another post). Yet the health issue coupled with my best laid plans of several years finally gave me the clarity and courage to just do it. And so I resigned.

Yet while the medical leave was the tipping point, there were several other factors that had already prepared me mentally for the move.

I no longer felt challenged

I was doing the same work that I had done for years, but over time it had become increasingly less challenging and stimulating. I found myself missing work that I had done earlier in my career that felt less formulaic. I knew that this, over time, would cause me to become disengaged – which wouldn’t be fair to either myself nor the company.

I craved more flexibility

I had been in a position that had required many hours, being on call, and many late night and wee hour conference calls. In the beginning, it was exciting. I learned a lot and felt that I was on the cutting edge of what was going on. But over time it burned me out. The problem was the work was never-ending; it wasn’t like a project that has a distinct beginning and end – in that scenario, you may grind extremely hard for several months or even a few years, but at some point the project ENDS. In this role, there was and would be no end. Eventually, I had the opportunity to move into a new role that didn’t require on-call responsibilities, but by that point I was looking for more flexibility than what was possible. I wanted to focus more on accomplishments vs. face time.

I desired more autonomy

The business culture I worked in was very hierarchical, and I increasingly felt that we were doing a lot of things simply because somebody at the top “said so.” If colleagues explained why the directive may not be the best route, or provided alternative ideas, superiors would agree yet shrug and reiterate that it be done anyway without question based on who had assigned the task. There seemed to be a strong reluctance to voice an opposing viewpoint for fear that an executive may think negatively and it would hurt a career. This didn’t align well with my personal style.

I yearned to try something on my own

It had always been a goal of mine, but I had enjoyed career success and so that objective was always put on the back burner. But it never went away, and the older I got the more I felt that I wanted to at least give it a shot. I knew that Corporate America would always be there and I was confident I could return if desired; however I didn’t want to give up an opportunity to at least try to “go it alone.”

I wanted more control over my own life

After seeing layoff after layoff throughout my career, I learned that it can really happen to anyone. Although I was fortunately spared, it didn’t mean that I would forever be immune, and I didn’t like the idea of my entire financial future being in someone else’s hands. I felt that if I was going to put in that much blood, sweat, and tears into my work, then my ultimate success or failure should be contingent on me alone.

I was tired of the politics

You know what I’m talking about – the office grapevine, the rumors, who is advocating for who, who doesn’t like who, who is a direct of who – it is exhausting. Over time, I learned how to play the game well, but I never fully embraced it. I would cringe every time someone asked “Who do you work for?” or “What is your officer title?” I had the accepted accolades, but felt that it shouldn’t matter. Why should it matter who I worked for? And whether or not I was a VP? Should that have any bearing on the conversation at hand and how I was responded to? The short answer was it shouldn’t, but it did. And it all felt very inauthentic.

The numbers checked out

Earlier in my career, I couldn’t have resigned even if I had wanted to. I was just starting out financially, and had too many bills to pay and investments to make. But over time and with care, my husband and I were able to earn and save enough so that a cut in salary wouldn’t ruin us. Before I finally quit, I must have run all the numbers and talked to financial and CPA advisers 100 times “just to make sure” we could do it. And the bottom line was that we could. Of course, we would have to make some changes and become much more conscious about our spending habits, but it could be done. And it finally hit me that it would NEVER be enough money – whether or not I continued to work a full-time job. Meaning – we would always want more, want to earn more, want to save more. So as long as we could make it work with what we had, my husband and I were willing to give it a shot.

My children changed my perspective

Once kids enter the picture, priorities shift. After the 3rd birthday of my first son, it dawned on me that it was all going Way. Too. Fast. The first three years felt like a blur, a random collection of rushed evenings and errand-packed weekends. I wanted more time with he and his brother. And I understood that the time was precious – and that no amount of money in the world could ever buy that back. It pained me to think that I was paying a nanny for the privilege of time with my children. It all seemed so backwards. Yet I wanted to work. It was and still is extremely important for me that my children see me working and contributing. But I knew in my heart there was a better way. A mother working a job that she has outgrown is not the same type of role model as a mother who is working on things she is passionate about.

Fate stepped in

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Fate was the definitive tipping point. A perfect storm of events creating the final nudge I needed to make the leap.

Job Weariness + Long Time Desire to Go Independent + Serious Illness + Medical Leave of Absence + Nanny Unexpectedly Resigning + Unexpected Pregnancy = The Right Time

And so I did. It has now been six months since I’ve resigned (and over eight months since I last worked at my former job – due to my medical leave of absence), and I have not a single regret. I haven’t even experienced a twinge of the panic and anxiety I was so scared of. In fact, I wish I hadn’t debated what my heart was telling me for so long.

I’ve learned that there is a ton of freelance work available for motivated people willing to work hard. I’ve realized that the finances adjust. And I’ve developed an even stronger connection with my sons. They, in turn, now see a mother who works just as hard as before, but who is passionate and energized by her work. And personally, I’ve grown stronger and more resilient, less afraid to take a risk.

I don’t know where I will end up, or if I will return to Corporate America at some point, but for right now the decision to resign from my former position has been the best one I have made in a very long time.

Guest Interview – The Woman Who Left Corporate America Behind

One of the best things about my experiences in Corporate America is the people I had the opportunity to work and interact with. Several of these colleagues have turned into lifelong friends who have long surpassed various jobs, different companies, and corporate paychecks. Interestingly, several of my closest former-colleague-friends have also recently taken leaps of faith to pursue their own passions – and this has only further cemented our relationships as we navigate these new experiences together.

One of these dear friends is Dana. I met her what seems like a lifetime ago (okay, maybe it was around 15 years ago) when we both worked for a Japanese captive finance company. I remember the day we met. We were having a team meeting and she was the newest member, joining us for the first time. She was pregnant with her first child and bravely starting a brand new job. She looked at me and I looked at her and for some inexplicable reason we both instantly decided that we didn’t like each other. This is comical now, as she is one of my closest friends and confidantes. Neither one of us can even clearly explain the reason for the premature “dislike” – aside from thinking that the other looked bitchy. Just goes to show – first impressions and all that.

Dana and I worked together quite a bit, helping to implement one of the biggest and longest-running (years long) projects in the company’s history. It was a fast-paced, demanding, and stressful time. We bonded over the strain. And relieved tension with (too many) practical jokes. Well, maybe I was more of the practical jokester – but who’s keeping count? Dana was someone I could count on, who had integrity, and who was invested in all that she did. Our friendship grew as we worked together, played together, and even traveled together with other girlfriends to blow off steam. We joke that she is my Hawaiian sister from another mister.

I have to admit that I wasn’t overly surprised when Dana confided to me over dinner one day that she was planning on leaving her corporate job. I knew that she hadn’t been happy, and that she had been taking on an ever-increasing workload. She had shared many times that she missed her family, her children. In her quest to be everything to everyone, she was burning out from trying to juggle it all.

So she and her family made the decision to take the leap – and now she is a fully Licensed Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant! I am so proud of her. She has been an inspiration to me as she invests time in work she loves, is passionate about, and on her own terms.

I asked if she would mind answering some questions to share her experiences and hopefully inspire others in the same way that she has inspired me – and she was more than happy to oblige.

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. To begin, what inspired you to quit your job? Was there a specific tipping point?

It was really just me being at a place in my life where I was not completely satisfied with what I was doing at work. The specific tipping point was when I was asked to cover for a colleague who was out on maternity leave, as well as for another colleague who transferred out of our department. This was in addition to continuing to manage my own job. When, after doing all of this, I received a performance review rating of “Meets Expectations” at the end of the year, I knew it was time to make a change.

Why did you decide to go into the field you chose?

It was important to me to do something of service to the community.

What did you do to prepare before quitting?

I had a lot of discussions with my husband to prepare myself. I knew that I needed his full support, and I got it. Without it, I don’t think I could have ever done it.

Did you have any fears or concerns about quitting? Is so, what were they?

My fears were more or less about finances because I knew that a big chunk of our income would instantly disappear. But we made it work.

How did people react to your decision to quit and start a new career?

Most of my friends, family, and coworkers were supportive. There were only a few who questioned my decision. They were pretty blunt. One coworker outright told me that I was making a mistake and that I should reconsider my decision. Another friend asked, “can’t you just transfer to a different department?”

Did you ever have any doubts about “starting over”?

I never had any doubts around my decision to start over. I was excited by the newness of going back to school, studying, the challenge of striving for good grades, the new training, etc. Just about everything along the way reassured me that I was doing the right thing.

Tell us a bit about your journey since you’ve resigned – what have you done?

Since I resigned I completed an Occupational Therapist Assistant program and interned for four months at a skilled nursing facility and a school district. I passed the boards and am currently working per diem at a skilled nursing facility in Orange County. The biggest perk of my new career is that the hours I work are totally flexible, which allows me to be there for the kids. I love picking them up from school, making them a snack, helping them with their homework, and cooking dinner for them. If I had continued working at my previous job, none of these things would have been possible.

How did it feel to be back in school?

I loved being back in school. I met a great group of peers who went through this two year journey with me, until the very end. We keep in touch and encourage each other, giving each other tips on testing for the boards and applying for our licenses.

How does it feel to now be licensed?

I’m relieved that I am finally licensed. Reality has settled in and I am happy to say that I am not disappointed.

Would you ever consider going back to Corporate America? Under what circumstances?

No, I don’t think so. I gave up 15 years of my life to a big corporation and I don’t care to revisit it. I can’t say that the whole time I worked there was unpleasant because it wasn’t. I met some amazing people that I am still friends with even now. The regret I have in working there is that I can never get the time back. The time that I missed tucking my kids into bed at night or saying Good Morning because I would have to leave for the office before they woke up. I missed family trips because the deadlines for programs or testing had to be met. It’s silly now to think that I ever put all those things before my family.

How has taking this leap of faith changed you?

It changed me in a way that is difficult to explain, but I will try. I feel freer than I have ever felt. I feel lighter, happier, more at peace, calm, and less anxious. I worry less because my family and I made it through a rough two years and in those two years we laughed a lot more and smiled a lot more and talked a lot more than any of the years I worked at my corporate job.

Has it changed any of your relationships – with your family, friends, others? In what ways?

I think it has made my relationships stronger. I’m still busy and I get too busy to see my friends and family all the time, but the split is now leaning more towards family time and less towards work. My priorities have changed drastically and I love it. I have more time to care. Before I was so distracted by deadlines or presentations or training. Now I go to work and totally enjoy it, but I leave my work at work and get to mentally and physically enjoy my personal life.

What hardships or difficulties have you experienced along the way? How did you overcome these?

Financial, but we made it work. We just had to cut back and adjust, then we had to make more adjustments. Someone else’s plans to do what I did may not always go as planned, but you adjust and then maybe have to adjust again.

If you could look back and give your former Corporate American self advice now, what would it be?

Life in Corporate America is not the only way to live. I would remind myself that it is just a job. Make family your priority. They will not be there when you finally retire. The kids will graduate and go to college and you will miss out on those opportunities to have those meaningful talks and be there for the events that all kids go through. You only have one life. What do you want to remember when it’s time to say Good Bye? I hope it’s not work!

If you could give advice to someone else dreaming of quitting Corporate America, what would it be?

Do it! Don’t think too hard. Somehow things work out. We are creatures of habit, but because we are intelligent we can create new habits. If we are not changing, then we are not living.

Any other words of wisdom to share with our readers?

Life is beautiful, but only if you stop to enjoy it. That’s what I feel I did.

Thank you, Dana. I’m so proud of you and your accomplishments, and can’t wait to see everything else that the future has in store for you.

Guest Post: How I Knew it Was Time to Work for Myself

Today’s guest post is from Laura Pennington, a writer and business coach who left her teaching position and later her job in Corporate America to focus solely on her own business. She now works with others who wish to follow their passions and grow their businesses.

In the summer and fall of 2011, I was busy as an over-worked inner city teacher trying to keep 110 seventh graders in order while teaching six back to back hours of lessons every single day. I was exhausted, sick of being there and tired of dealing with the bureaucratic nonsense that made it difficult for teachers to do their jobs. Simply put, it was more difficult working with the adults at my job than it was working with the children.

Knowing that I couldn’t bear another day of teaching after having a scary and dramatic incident being chased to work one day in Baltimore, I accepted a position working at a corporation where I had previous experience. Heading back into corporate America was certainly the important bridge that I needed to get out of my day to day grind as an urban teacher. But I quickly began to experience the same frustrations that led me to pursue a teaching job in the first place. I didn’t feel fulfilled by my corporate job and I was not rewarded for getting my work done sooner rather than later. In fact, it seemed like the most important thing to the corporation was that I be sitting in my desk from 8.30am to 5.00pm everyday whether or not I had work to do.

After starting a freelance career part-time in the summer of 2012, I finally was free of my day job twelve months later. Although I wish I could have left my day job sooner and I wish I had had the guts to do so, here are the things that prompted me to know that it was officially time to go.

Sign #1: Your work begins to bleed over into your day job.

While you initially might start off having a freelance career or a side business or a blogging opportunity that fits in nicely with your free evenings and weekends, this won’t last forever if you are managing your business properly. Ultimately you’ll feel like you are overbooked or like you are constantly working during every hour of the day. Those weekends just won’t be enough time when you have too many things on your to-do list. You’ll find yourself working over lunch hours and working later and later into the night or waking up early. This is a key sign that your business is growing to the point of being sustainable full-time. While you have to determine the official financial benchmark that you want to hit before leaving your day job, this is a good sign that you are on the right path. Make sure you are making the most of your time and consider if this is an opportunity to raise your rates if you are working as a freelancer or in a similar position. This can help you build that financial cushion to leave your job.

Sign #2: You find your day job absolutely aggravating.

Even if the aggravation in your day job was bad before you started doing a side gig, it can get even worse when your business is finally turning the corner and giving you that sense of emotional and financial freedom you desire. Things that were not as much of an annoyance before simply become unbearable while you’re in the workplace. There were certain coworkers who were aggravating before I started freelancing and just became a daily source of serious frustration every time I interacted with them. I knew that it wasn’t necessarily their fault but I felt like it had gotten to the point where I couldn’t handle it anymore. Little things that happen in your office can easily become big frustrations and problems for you if it’s time for you to leave your day job and get out of there.

Sign #3: You are not receiving the support that your part-time business offers you with your day job business.

There are many different ways that this can play out. For me, it was in terms of scheduling. Working as a writer on my own hours meant that I could work during the times that I was most focused or most likely to commit to finishing a project. My day job, however, expected me to sit at my desk 8 or 9 hours every single day even when there were some days that I finished work by noon or 1 o’ clock in the afternoon. This increasingly drove me crazy because I had the exact opposite experience with my freelance writing to compare it with. So as time went on, this being forced to sit at my desk when there was nothing to do really frustrated me. I didn’t feel like the corporate environment rewarded me for being efficient and in fact, it was the complete opposite. I had to drag projects out for far longer than I needed to because I was instead trying to be busy all the time and trying to come up with a whole day’s worth of work when it just wasn’t there.

When you work for yourself, there are two interesting things that can happen:

First of all, you work when you want to work but you’re also likely to be more passionate about it and find that there is so much to do in growing your business and taking it to the next level that you may find yourself working 40 hours a week. This work, though, happens on your own time in your own way, in your own comfort level and you should also be able to take time off without any office drama – when things come up that need your attention outside of the office or if you just don’t feel like working that day.

For me the scheduling was definitely the most frustrating part of it. For other people that I’ve spoken to who have started a side business, it’s the customer service. It’s the idea that working for themselves allows them to say no to certain people whereas when you are working for another company they set the parameters of who you can interact with, sort of what you have to put up with. When you are under someone else’s umbrella and they have expectations that the customer is always right, you are obligated to stick with that even if you know that given the opportunity you would say no to it. When you work for yourself and make your own schedule and bring on your own clients, you have the right to be the one who says no and you can draw clear lines about who you are going to interact with. The basic point of this particular sign is that there are going to be things that come up and you can have that direct comparison experience to working for yourself and you much prefer the working for yourself experience.

If it really motivates you to have a plan to leave your day job, make sure you set clear financial goals for yourself. It can be a big mental challenge to leave the comfort of your day job, but working your way up to an amount of money you have saved or a monthly amount you’re bringing in is going to make that transition even easier. I actually nearly tripled my freelance writing income in the first year after I left my day job because I had the passion and the time to devote to it. It was further vindication that I just didn’t belong at that old position!

Laura Pennington is a writer and business coach who works with new and emerging virtual assistants, writers, and other freelancers who want to build and grow their businesses. She can be found on www.sixfigurewritingsecrets.com.