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.

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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!

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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.

Green doors with frosted glass panels open inward — Photo by Ivan Konev on Unsplash

The Exit Blueprint

This Door Swings Both Ways (Issue 206)