Never Get Too Comfortable. No Matter Where You Are

Here's a reminder to myself and anyone who needs to hear this.

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with some issues at work which have caused a partial loss of income, and I'm honestly worried.

I do have faith that everything will work out.

This was unexpected, and now I'm trying to do as much damage control as possible to keep a roof over my head and be able to continue my savings plan.

I've learned, and I'm reminding myself this season, that God's rejection is protection.

I work as a bartender. I ended up doing this almost full-time unexpectedly as well.

The current place I work, although comfortable, is not very strict or professional (cowers are allowed to drink as much as they want on the job).

I won't mention names since I'm currently employed there and don't want to get in trouble.

The point is, although this job has allowed me to make more money than a full-time corporate job and given me more time to work on my side hustles, it was starting to hinder my progress.

Here's why.

I was getting too comfortable.

This experience I'm going through has reminded me that I can't get too comfortable at a job because it gives me a false sense of security.

Looking back, I was starting to convince myself that I could stay there, stay bartending for longer.

I began to believe I could delay my plans to work for myself full-time.

I'm learning that although bartending is a good opportunity, it can deceive you with the money you make and the lifestyle that comes with it.

Anyone that has worked as a bartender or a server understands this.

The money you can make is great. Because of this same reason, it's very compelling to stay much longer than anticipated.

I've been bartending for over a year already, and my goal is to be able to leave it at the end of this year.

A few weeks ago, I almost talked myself out of this decision.

Although this situation I'm going through sucks, and I'm stressed out and anxious, it's also an important reminder never to get too comfortable at a job.

At the end of the day, I don't own it. I won't get anything out of it, and no matter how long I'm there, I will be easily replaced as soon as I leave.

These are the reasons why I started working on side hustles. You own them; you can scale them, make a full-time income from them, and pass them down to your children — create a legacy.

By building your own business, you can claim your freedom and time.

A job will never allow you to do that.

But because there's the promise of a paycheck at the end of the week, you can become blinded and distracted from your goals. Hell, even your purpose.

So if you're at a place where you're content, your job pays you well, and things aren't challenging at the moment, as wonderful as that is, remember what your ultimate goals are, and don't get too comfortable.

Don't forget that a job sees you as replaceable. Something unexpected could happen any day, and you can lose your income. Either partially or fully.

And when that day comes, hopefully, you'll already have built a backup plan that can take care of you.

Unfortunately, I don't make enough from my side hustles to say to my job kick rocks.

This is a reminder to myself, and maybe someone else in a similar position, to not get distracted by the money employers flash in our faces.

Let’s keep our goals at the forefront of our minds and work consistently on them.

Tell me, what was a lesson you learned when something in your life changed unexpectedly?