My 9-Step Process From a 9–5 to Solopreneurship

Steal it.

I quit my job before I turned 25.

I worked on the plan for 9 months so I don’t go broke or regret this. I ended that year earning 145.5% over what I did in my 9–5.

Here’s my nine-step process on how I attained:

• self-employment
• time freedom
• fulfilling work

#1 Be aware of your desires

Here were mine:

• earn $2k/m minimum
• Work 4–5h/ day
• No shitty boss
• No negative co-workers

Many of us already feel our desires are impossible. Have the courage to desire. Everything else comes after that.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” — Henry Ford

To do

Sit and write a day in your ideal life. See how different it is from your reality. Now, what can you do to bridge the gap?

#2 Overcome negative belief systems

Your childhood subconsciously embeds beliefs in you. You can ONLY achieve what you believe you can.

It’s like your entire life is the result of how far you can think and believe.

We all have something that holds us back.

My beliefs were:

• I don’t have the potential to be on my own
• I’ll have to rely on my appraisals
• Why will anybody read my stuff
• Money comes in slowly, keep working hard

This is what your mind tells you, not the truth.

To do

Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins — this book helped me the most and completely changed me.

I use the ‘Goal Setting Method’ in this book every six months to get closer to my goals.

#3 Start ‘the work’

Side hustle — learn a skill, or capitalise on an existing one.

It will suck.

Nobody will see it.

You won’t get any results.

You definitely won’t make good money.

But don’t bloody stop. This will make most people give up, but that’s where you’ll rise.

To do

Polish your skill and show up with it. Start by 30m a week until you can do 30m/day while juggling your full-time job.

#4 Build Enough

Whatever your side hustle is, build a catalogue of your work.

Nobody will pay you $200 for an article because you think you’re good. SHOW them you’re good.

First 50 articles or Youtube videos suck. Write 150, and you’ll be in a good position to negotiate.

To do

For a long time, it’ll feel you’re talking in an empty room. Keep at it and don’t stop.

“Writers write. Runners run. Establish your identity by doing your work.” — Seth Godin

#5 Try freelancing

Whether you want to start a business, be a creator, or a freelancer — freelance a few times.

It teaches you

• negotiation
• people skills

And helps you strengthen your skill. This was my way to build confidence.

Here’s an example of how I did it:

I applied for a website copy role. I had no clue what copywriting even meant. The client asked me,

“Are you okay with the price?”

(it was a decent $$$)

I took this as a cue that I can go higher. I asked for an 80% raise and he said ‘yes’ instantly. Used this a few times.

To do

Upwork gets a lot of flak but can be great once you apply filters.

It’s all I used when I started out. It’s not easy to get a high paying gig. But if you’re just starting out, then Upwork can really help.

It helped me make $3k+ for 50h of work. Not bad at all!

#6 Secure Money

(the reason most people get broke)

DO NOT quit work for passion. You have bills to pay.

Don’t quit before having 6 months of income, ongoing clients, and clients in pipeline. Your side hustles should be getting in some money before you quit.

To do

Have:

• a mentor
• ongoing clients
• 6 months of savings

Exactly in that order of preference.

#7 Invest in yourself

I know courses get a lot of flak.

I was sceptical to spend hundreds on a writing course. It’s a lot of money in my currency. This was in October 2020.

That course helped me make five figures $ in return in 14 months.

Now, I do online courses, study guides, and read books.

When you spend money to grow, it’s an investment.

The biggest advantage is that learning from experts helps you learn quickly instead of spending time figuring out everything on your own.

To do

The internet makes it easy for you to learn. YouTube is free.

When you’re second-guessing a course price, think practically:

Will spending $100 at least give you $200 in return? If yes, that’s an investment and not an expense.

#8 The mindset that helps me the MOST

Do everything like an experiment.

Either it works out, or it doesn’t.

By ‘experimenting’, you feel detached from the outcomes and that protects your heart and your mind.

I never wanted to have a business, random experiments led me here.

To do

Prioritise having fun.

I write because it’s fun. I’ll stop the day it isn’t.

It’s also the reason I do very selective freelancing because I cant do boring work anymore. Life is truly short, so live.

Your experiment may not workout… but what if it does?

#9 Serve others

How does this help?

• Good karma
• Build relationships
• Makes work more fun
• Motivates you to show up

Whatever you do, improve someone’s life. If you can, why should you not?

To do

If you think what you’re doing can help improve somebody, even if you just make them think for a nanosecond via a one-liner post — do it.

A DM about how you made somebody feel better on a bad day will make your day and is more precious than money or recognition.

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Full Disclosure: The link to the writing course is an affiliate link, but I have 100% paid for it for my spot.