Should You Quit Your Job?
The big question on everyone’s mind, should you quit your job?
I don’t know about you, but it almost seems impossible to turn on social media without being bombarded by images of millennial entrepreneurs on a beach while working on their side-hustle come business since quitting their 9-5 jobs. In what has been coined The Great Resignation. And although the reason these workers are leaving their jobs are varied. I’ve observed a real push on social media for everyone everywhere to quit their 9-5 jobs in favour of being their own boss.
But as someone who has had a challenging yet fulfilling career and owns my own business, I would encourage anyone thinking about quitting their jobs to reconsider and here’s why.
Is Everyone Quitting Their Jobs
Often the push toward entrepreneurship stems from a desire to do something more meaningful. Or to be paid more for your work and have more autonomy over your time and work. The problem is not that everyone desperately wants to be an entrepreneur with a burning desire to start a business. Instead, most people want to feel inspired by what they do and hate feeling undervalued and underpaid. This is why I created my workbook How to create a Career You Love to help workers find meaning and purpose in their careers.
Should You Quit Your Job to Start a Business
But if boredom and feeling undervalued and being underpaid are feelings at the root of the great resignation, everyone quitting the job market is not necessarily the answer. The challenges of entrepreneurship may be different compared to working 9-5, but let me tell you, they are there. For example, I have never been responsible for so many things simultaneously. Yes, I am my own boss, but I’m also my own assistant, operations manager, marketing executive, sales advisor, and administrator; I think you get my point. Making entrepreneurship work takes much time and effort; it is not the easier option. And the honest truth is most people will make more money from their careers than entrepreneurship. Therefore, it makes more sense to figure out how to make your job work. This is a mindset most people neglect.
So if the answer is not quitting your job in search of being your own boss, then what is?
Why Not Quitting May Be Best
Since working as a career coach, I have discovered that many people take a passive approach to their jobs. Employees view work as something that they have little say or control over.
Most people are passive and not active employees. Most employees do not take full responsibility for their careers. What if you changed how you viewed yourself? And saw yourself as business-minded while at work Or as an entrepreneur working within a current business.
Take an ordinary task like searching for a job. A passive worker does just that. In contrast, an active worker searches for a job with a goal. Imagine the goal was career development; an active worker creates search criteria to include development opportunities within each position. An active worker, only applies for jobs with identifiable growth opportunities. They only accept jobs with organisations with clear development opportunities and a track record supporting employee progression. They negotiate their contract to include additional training opportunities. And after receiving a job offer, they create a detailed two to three-year plan on how they intend to progress through the organisation. How do they know which jobs allow accelerated progression? This is where they ask good questions and work with a career coach like me, where I can walk you through the process.
What would your career look like if this were you? Often the problem is not always the job but our thinking. This is a mindset I’ve learned to develop over the years.
Do This First Before Quitting Your Job
If you are already in a job and considering leaving, consider these examples for information purposes only.
What If??
You stayed in a role as long as you could be promoted or have your salary increased. If neither is no longer possible, you search for new jobs with these goals in mind.
You change departments every two to three years. This way, you better understand the organisation and its strengths and weaknesses. But most importantly, you are adding to your skills, network and knowledge.
You agree to help your business solve a current problem and, if successful, ask your employer to fund your education. So you can be certified to help them in that area moving forward.
You negotiate your contract from employee to contractor. As a contractor, you negotiate a higher rate or a percentage of the business you bring in.
You ask for more responsibilities at work, you volunteer for projects, and you ask to oversee new areas of work. You acquire new skills, grow your network and negotiate your salary or contract terms.
You shadow those in higher positions and assist them with problem areas within the organisation. In return, you develop a mentor-mentee relationship with them.
Quitting Your Job and Your Mindset
I could go on, but the point is until employees take an active role in their careers, they are often missing opportunities. And if you do not know how to maximise opportunities at work, running your own business does not make this easier.
And for those currently in full-time employment and working part-time on a business, I know how challenging this can be.
So if being your own boss is a lifelong dream, then consider how in the meantime, you can use your employment to build your network. Or even to grow your credibility in the field by learning new skills, gaining experience, solving business problems and saving money to fund your business.
Please resist the temptation to see your job as an annoyance; instead, use your job to your benefit. Either way, your 9-5 job can present many growth opportunities with the right mindset. It’s not a question of 9-5 vs entrepreneurship, but how well are you using your current position to its maximum potential.
Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job??
I would love your thoughts on this post and if you are thinking about entrepreneurship vs 9-5 work. Also, I’ve recently resurrected my Instagram, so if you love this content, be sure to follow me on Instagram, where I share even more @Iameuniceasante.
And if you’re not getting results from your Linkedin profile, check out this Linkedin guide
Until next time
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