Life Lessons | Advice
3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Quit Your Day Job
The many entrepreneurial benefits a day job can offer you
Unless you’re in the top percent of entrepreneurs who have made it, you’re probably faking it.
Faking it is an admirable endeavour for many reasons, but one that comes with a lingering caveat. The need for a financial guise. For many of us, this means a day job.
I work a day job and I’m not ashamed to admit it — at least, not anymore.
Once seen as a financial faux pas, I’ve learned to embrace my day job for the many entrepreneurial benefits it offers. Sitting here today, I feel as though a day job will always have a place in my life and my heart. Here’s why…
1. The infernal power of routine
I used to hate the idea routines. I have vivid memories of driving to work, feeling trapped in an endless cycle of disappointment.
Wake up. Dread going to work. Go to work. Rejoice at finishing work. Go to bed. Repeat.
My entrepreneurial dream has always been to write in some capacity but my routine felt like the monotonous death of creativity. I vowed to quit my job as soon as I saved up enough money to do so. Eventually, I did… and I did.
Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, I was re-born. My creative flame was stoked by my newly wide-open schedule. I wrote vigorously for hours only to fall into a post-creative coma. My fiery bursts of creation were intense but short-lived. They required more mental fuel than I had.
My world was flipped upside down when I read “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg. In particular, this sentence:
“Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort.”
Charles reinforced this point by asking me [the reader] to recount tying my shoes that day. Did I lace up the left or right one first? Obviously, I couldn’t remember as you probably cannot either. These aren’t things we normally think about. The mic drop came when he explained that it is the same shoe every time.
This is one tiny example of all the minute actions we add to our auto-pilot system, every day. We do this to free up brain space to innovate. With this realization, I began to look at routines as kindling for creativity as opposed to snuffs.
A day job provides routine.
It gets you up at a certain time, puts you in work mode, and provides the necessary pressure to be productive. Time management is a skill all on its own, and one worth learning to wield.
Personally, I wake up an hour early before work and write every day. I am far more productive on the days that I do work compared to those that I do not.
This is because I know I have to be.
“There’s nothing you can’t do if you get the habits right.”
2. Tidal waves of social inspiration
Over the past year, my day job consisted of training new employees over Zoom. After logging thousands (yes, thousands) of hours, I learned a few things about human interaction. Namely, the effects of lacking it.
Although working from home was great at first, I learned that I need to be around people. Like, actually be around them… physically. Although spending time alone offers you the strength of schedule to be creative, your flow of inspiration is far weaker.
Where I live, we’ve now slowly begun re-integrating human interaction. Although I still can’t look a person in the eyes to save my life, exchanging energy with humans again has been a tidal wave of inspiration.
Seeing someone’s head tilt as you explain your thoughts or eyes light up as they share theirs tells a story all on its own. And if a picture’s worth a thousand words, touch is worth a million.
I’m naturally introverted. Given the opportunity, I will lock myself indoors and write all day (with the proclivity to take Netflix binge-breaks). But I digress. A writer is nothing without inspiration.
A day job gets you out of your comfort zone and forces you to be around people. Social interaction can be a tidal wave of inspiration if you’re standing on the shore.
3. The intriguing gift of sexy indifference
One of my favourite podcasts is a lighthearted hangout called “Smartless.”
Every Monday, actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes interview a mystery guest — although it’s more like a playful series of bits.
They frequently reference the quality of “sexy indifference”. Whether it be auditioning for a role, attracting romantic partners, or making friends, indifference can be quite intriguing.
You’ve likely experienced someone in your life who does not seem overly concerned with the outcome of any situation. They have a take-it-or-leave-it type of attitude. We are drawn to these people. “Why don’t they care? What are they hiding?”
When building connections, pitching yourself, or just saying hi, desperation is a pungent and off-putting aroma.
A day job allows you to play it cool. “Hey, this is me, what I can do, and my terms. I’m looking forward to working with you.” Then sit back and fold your arms, letting a pair of imaginary thug-life sunglasses float onto your face.
A day job gives you the stability to make calm, uninfluenced and unbiased decisions. It gives you the gift of choice.
Choosing the right day job
Although a day job can be a great source of confidence, structure, and financial backing, doing something you hate is not sustainable.
Although to know is to love, there are some jobs you know you will never love.
When choosing a day job as an accessory to a balanced life, pick one for the following reasons:
- It supports your overarching goal → What’s important to you? How can it help?
- It strengthens your weaknesses → Some skills are painful yet necessary to learn. Set yourself up for an external push.
While remembering that:
- Money is important → It’s a very real part of life. Don’t sell yourself short.
- Schedule > money → Your ability to balance your passions will pay off in the long run.
If I’ve tilted your head even a little bit, I’ve done my job.
Here’s a great morning routine, to keep your life balanced:
For more anecdotes on finding balance in life → look here. If you enjoyed this story, you may enjoy following me for more stories → Hudson Rennie.