Don’t Quit Your 9–5 Before Securing these 5 Things
Tools to help you swim through uncertain waters.
Today is my last working day. I’ve been waiting for this day for nearly 9 months. It feels similar to how I felt when I took my first solo trip at 21 to Europe — a mixture of fear and excitement.
The fear isn’t the kind that gets on my nerves because I am prepared to go through the highs and lows, but it's a motivator that keeps me going.
I don’t promote pursuing your passion by being broke, because money is a great stressor. And if you’re pursuing a creative field, I can tell you from experience that you perform better when your art is not directly related to your bills.
Here’s what can help you swim by when you quit your 9–5. Maybe your venture will work out, maybe it won’t. But at least these tools will ensure that you don’t fall and you can take on what uncertainty brings you.
1. One and a Half Sources of Income
It’s important to have multiple sources of income. But hey, you’re just starting out. You don’t have to have it all figured because that's what the comings days and months will be for you. It’s a learning process.
But attain your income from a little over one source. For me, a writing platform pays me enough and I have prospective clients in the pipeline. I don’t know if it will work out with them or not, but it’s a ray of hope. Plus, I’ll start applying to freelance marketplaces.
Similarly, having a source that pays you and at least another source you’re strongly inclined will pay you soon. It divides the stress.
2. Practical Pessimism + Optimism = Resilience
When I quit my job, I had a high-paying ghostwriting deal in my pocket. It was supposed to pay me lucratively for five more months. Two days after quitting my job, the client got busy and ghosted his ghostwriter a.k.a. me.
My entire safety net of self-employment fell apart. I cried for a day. Maybe two, if I’m being honest. But I had to prepare myself that this is the beginning of many pitfalls.
There’s optimism and practical pessimism. Be optimistic that it will work out, and be practically pessimistic to be prepared for the worst and get back on track and go on with zest. This will prepare you to swim through tides and go on even when things aren’t working your way.
3. Somebody to Guide You
You can gain a lot of knowledge from the internet but you’ll benefit the most from golden biscuits of advice. Somebody who has achieved what you want to, and much more, and wants to help you conquer your goals.
A mentor who has had similar challenges as you’ll face will have rich advice to help you. You’ll also get help on the strategies you can use.
I connected with my mentor on LinkedIn, and we meet monthly to talk about my goals. Having a mentor has encouraged me to pursue the path I chose and believe in myself, along with practical strategies to use to get closer to my goals.
4. At Least 6 Months of Money
Before I quit my job, I earned double and triple of my income for 4 months.
You don’t need to earn double and triple, that was just a way for me to gain confidence that I have a skill-set that has market demand. But you need to have enough savings to make you go through seamlessly for the next few months.
Consider having a side-hustle to get extra money and an additional source, and save from your salary.
How to do this? Calculate your monthly fixed costs (rent, fuel, loan payments) and variable costs (takeaways, subscriptions). The sum of the two will be the minimum amount you should have per month. Have this for at least six months to swim stress-free.
5. A Tribe of Supporters
This doesn’t mean fans or a market ready to buy your product and service, but people who’re in a similar field as you and want to help you get better.
For almost four months I have been a part of a writing community with writers, most of them being much better than me, who help and lift each other selflessly. This gives us a platform to reach out to each other with no fear of being judged and partake in occasional banter.
It’s a place to fall back on through the highs and lows and a community you can call your virtual family. They’ll celebrate your wins and will lift you when you fall.
Interact and network with people in a similar line to yours via networking platforms for this.
Takeaways
When you quit your 9–5, it’s important to have your armour so you don’t fall quickly and are prepared for whatever life throws at you.
It’s a long journey, and not an easy one that too. You don’t want to be in a position where regret hits you for chasing your dreams and ideas.
Here are the five things you should try to attain before you quit your 9–5:
- One and a half sources of income
- Practical Pessimism Optimism = Resilience
- A mentor
- At least 6 months’ money
- A tribe of supporters
When you quit your 9–5, you should know that it’s so courageous of you to take this step. Many people don’t sign their papers out of fear and regret it much later in life.
You’re more capable than you think you are.
Subscribe to my (free) weekly newsletter about health, travel, and personal development — https://niharikasodhi.substack.com/
If you enjoyed reading this, you might relish:
