I feel a bit sheepish asking this, but I really want to quit my day job and pursue my dream. I have no idea if I should do it, how I should do it, or if I am just being silly and need to give up on the idea. Please help me with some of your pragmatic advice!
Joelle, Administration Manager, Banking
Firstly, you have nothing to feel sheepish about – you are actually pretty brave putting that out there. It takes courage to be honest with ourselves about where we are at, what we want, and what we might be prepared to do to get it. So cut yourself some slack. You are one of countless people who are in a job that is not lighting them up. Most people just think that it’s as good as it’s going to get, and resign themselves to being stuck, to living their life on the sidelines. Then there is the small percentage of people who actually do something about it. Just by acknowledging your desire, and asking the question, you are already in the game. Step one done (you can start breathing again now).
There are some key things that I recommend you think about and take action on before you make any big decisions or hand in any resignation letters.
- Get clear on your passion and purpose – I talk a lot about this, in my book, when I speak and with my strategy and coaching clients. It has to start here. People often give up a job they may not like with little clarity about what they actually want to do instead. This is a recipe for disaster (think train wreck). What are you really passionate about? What is your purpose in the world, or what could it be? What do you feel called to do? This may take some exploration, or you may be crystal clear. You wrote that you have a dream, so you may have this handled already. If so, that’s great. If not, spend some time on this first.
- Think about what’s possible – What are the potential opportunities for you in the space you want to be in? If it’s another role that you’re after, plan out all of the options; types of companies, specific roles, skills you need, how to get them. If it’s your own business that you want to start, again you need to work out the potential details; what will the business offer, who will your clients be, how will you set it up, do you need funding. Dreaming and then planning for the potential of your new career will take you from pipedream thinking to reality in a heartbeat. This will also help you make sure that you really want what you think you want.
- Design a transition plan – This is where it gets real. There are not many people who can quit their day job to pursue their dream without having a crystal clear transition plan. And many people work at their day job for years while they build savings, develop new skills, make connections, and get themselves ready to make the change. That is just being pragmatic. Work out what your transition looks like. Having just gone through this myself, leaving my senior executive role to work in my own business and start my PhD, I can attest to the fact that a solid transition plan will help you stay grounded and manage your existing life while you dream and plan for what your new life can look like.
You have the right to have the career and life you want to live, and to love it. Yes you need to be pragmatic about it. Yes you need to make sure you have your affairs in order before you make any major changes. And yes you must have a plan for how the next steps will unfold. But before you can do any of that, you just need to give yourself permission to want what you want, own it, and then go get it. It is all there waiting for you. Good luck.