Yes, some decisions ARE permanent. Sometimes there is no going back.
But that is not the case with quitting your 9-5 job to explore self-employment.
I have left and re-entered the corporate world a few times during my career. That’s why I feel so comfortable quitting a job. It’s also how I discovered that I loved working for myself.
I turned down a full-time job back in the late 90s to start my first solopreneur business. It was a one-person design agency that immediately replaced my prior income. I loved it!
However, a couple of years later, the Dot Com Crash hit Silicon Valley hard. Business dried up within a few months, since I mostly worked with tech startups and smaller corporations. Only the giants survived.
So, I returned to the corporate world. I decided to move into management and invested aggressively in my career, climbing the ladder from Senior Designer to a Vice President in about 6 years.
But, I wasn't happy. I hated my long commute (2-4 hours each day) and the stress of working at a dying company. So, I quit again, knowing that I could return to self-employment and would probably love it.
I was right. That was over 16 years ago, and I never returned to the 9-5 world.
I want to reassure you that exploring self-employment to run your own business isn’t a permanent decision. You may discover that you love the freedom and flexibility as much as I do. You may realize that you’re happy with “making enough” because more money isn’t worth it when you sacrifice your happiness, health, and freedom.
Or, you may find that you don’t like working for yourself, or that you are too worried about not receiving a stable paycheck. That’s okay! You can start interviewing and return to the 9-5 world, like I did in 2002.
But, the cool thing is that you will never forget that taste of freedom. You will know that it’s possible to spin up a new business again, if necessary. That knowledge and associated confidence will empower you!
That’s why I was able to take risks and push hard to get promoted again and again, so I could boost my compensation as much as possible. I knew I could walk away to do my own thing if I wanted to (and I did, eventually).
You really don't have anything to lose by exploring self-employment and working on a business plan while you still have a job. You only have something to gain. Freedom, empowerment, confidence, and greater fulfillment.
One way or another, you win.
➡️ Want to discuss your options? Schedule a free call with me!
From corporate exec to entrepreneur, Larry Cornett is a coach who helps you leverage your existing expertise to design a self-employment business that funds the life you want. Escape the 9-to-5 grind by creating your Exit Blueprint to freedom!
➡️ Ready to build your blueprint? Book a free call today to claim your spot.
