Written by: Jarod Anderson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Have you ever reached the point where you just wanted to leave your 9-to-5?
Maybe it is to escape a toxic work environment, make more money, free up more time, or engage in something more purposeful and fulfilling.
Whatever the motivation, it is a big decision and one you should not take lightly. I should know because I am smack dab in the middle of such a transition right now as I write this. Choosing to leave my 9-to-5 was a matter of regaining control of my time and money, and pursuing financial independence from my 9-to-5. Don't get me wrong, the pay was good, but I knew it would never provide true freedom where my time and money were concerned.
Hence, I had a decision to make. I could play it safe and remain on the same level, or I could take a calculated plunge into the unknown in search of something greater. I chose the latter.
Are you considering taking a similar plunge but don't know where to start? If so, this article is just for you. Here are 7 "reality checks" that can help you "think through" such a transition and give you the confidence to do what feels right for you. Ready? Let's begin
1. The Reality of Present Circumstances
One of the main things that helped me decide to leave my 9-to-5 was my acknowledgment of my frustrations with the present. I was tired of getting paid once a month and trying to limit my entire life to the confines of a fixed salary. How do you feel about the current conditions around your work, time, and money? If they stayed the same for the next ten years, would you be okay with that? Are you in a toxic work environment? Do you feel fulfilled in what you are doing? Do you dread getting up on Monday morning?
Whatever the answer, be honest with yourself regarding any frustrations about the present. Make a list of these items, and then write 1 -2 small action steps you can take to bring about a small yet impactful change. It could be something as small as making a decision or shifting your perspective. The important thing is to be honest, and commit to taking action to move the needle forward.
2. The Reality of the Fear of the Unknown
"What happens if things don't work out?" The fear of the unknown is one of the biggest obstacles to leaving a job. I know this was the case for me. I was consumed with the thought that things may not work out as planned and I would look like a fool. Let's be honest--that's a scary thought. But what you must realize is that this is your faulty projection of the future based on fear. Just as sure as you can imagine things not working out, you can imagine them working out. All I know is that we tend to get out of life what we believe, not what we want. If that thought is your dominating belief, stay put because you may attract that very outcome.
The key is to create a picture of things working out and then develop a plan. See things working out in your favor. Rather than worry about tomorrow, focus on what you can do to make a positive change today. I want you to get a journal and take the time to script out your new ideal future. Don't worry about how; just create the picture and write it out.
3. The Reality of Failing
One of my favorite quotes by Michael Jordan is: "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Understand that failure is not final. It is only feedback to be used to tell you what you can do better next time.
Where leaving my job was concerned, I made peace within my telling myself that my biggest disappointment would not come from failure, but instead never having tried. I am sure you have failed at something before, and guess what? You lived! Embrace the truth that failing by no means makes you a failure. It just simply means there is likely a better way you have yet to discover. What I found is that what looks like failure can simply be a lack of planning. Make a list of what you would consider failure where transitioning from your 9-to-5 is concerned, and then create a plan of things you can do today to minimize those things from happing. Not as scary anymore, is it?
4. The Reality of the Fuel of Finances
Out of the seven realities, the need for money is probably the one that runs deepest. Many of our frustrations with the present and fears about the future could be alleviated if we had more income. Let's be honest; we need finances to function in almost every aspect of our lives. The problem is, we depend on one stream of income (our jobs), which makes us dependent on this source. So even if your 9-to-5 is in a toxic work environment, doesn't pay enough, or adversely impacts your health, it's hard to leave because that's your only source of income. That's why I always encourage my clients to establish multiple income streams. Your life expands too greatly and frequently to be maintained by one source of income.
Think of it like this, the bigger your vehicle, the more fuel it needs to function. The bigger your life, the more finances you will need. Once I realized my paycheck would never provide enough fuel for the size of the lifestyle I desired, I knew I had to find a better way. This strikes at the core of the struggle many face regarding their work, time, and money. Make a list of things you can do to generate some extra streams of income.
5. The Reality of Believing for a Brighter Future
You often hear people say, "If I knew then what I know now, I would do things a lot differently." Well, then is long gone, and now is here to stay. So what are you going to do with what you know now? What if you could recreate your future to reflect the inner desires of your heart? The beautiful thing is that YOU CAN! All it requires from you is a shift in perspective, a willingness to change some faulty beliefs, and the courage to make some different choices in life. You have been given the unique ability to choose, create, and change. But, you must first believe. What's possible for you is determined by how you think.
Furthermore, your life tends to move in the direction of your dominant thoughts. As Napoleon Hill said, "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." What do you believe about yourself and the potential of your future?
6. The Reality of Having to Take a Leap of Faith
It's human nature to want to have all of the steps and answers mapped out before moving forward, but that's not how life works. Often, you have to "step out on faith" without fully knowing "how: everything will work out, but knowing they will. I'm not saying to skip planning and preparing, but sometimes you have to advance based on an inner belief and conviction with no outward evidence. As you ponder over your next move, ask yourself, "Is this decision being motivated by fear or faith?"
7. The Reality of Experiencing True Freedom in Life
Finally, I want to talk about what this entire article is all about--freedom. Being free from debt, student loans, living paycheck-to-paycheck, exchanging time for money, and from having to work on a job that you can't stand. Imagine what life would be like if you had the time, money, and freedom to live independent of your 9-to-5? Is such an existence possible with your full-time job? Only you can decide that.
But whatever you do, promise me you will pursue whatever is in your heart and not settle for less than you desire or deserve.
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Jarod Anderson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jarod Anderson, also known as "The 9-to-5 Exit $trategist" is a mindset coach and author who challenges and empowers working professionals to live financially independent of their 9-to-5. After getting laid off from his first job, Jarod knew he had couldn't put all his trust in one source of income and would have to script out a different path for his l. Hence, he committed to changing his mindset about work, time, and money so he could break so he would one day be in a position to live life on his own terms. Through his books and course, Jarod empowers others to live more independently of their 9-to-5 by changing their thinking and creating multiple streams of income. Jarod is the author of the book" Five Star Mentality: The MIndset of the Super Achievers," and has recently created his blockbuster course, The Psychology of the Employee Mind: How to Elevate Your Mind, Money, and Finances Beyond the Limitations of Your 9-to-5. To learn more about Jarod, visit his website at www.empoweredwithjarod.com.
