Myisha Nawar
“I’m quitting my job to pursue my dreams!”
We’re conditioned to see big career leaps as tales of risk and reward, but they’re mostly fables. How many times have you heard stories like these?
A woman loves making pottery, so she decides to open a little shop to sell her wares.
A man is passionate about writing, so he quits his job to focus on his first novel.
Then… wait for it…
Nothing happens.
Nothing. No customers, no readers, no clients. Zilch
1. It is important to understand that Big Breaks are turtles. They come slow. Sometimes it’s not one big thing; it’s a bunch of small things that give you the big break. So, don’t leap. Keep a stable foot on the ground. Think about it. Steve Wozniak started Apple Computer in 1976 but didn’t make a splash until 1984, with the release of the Macintosh. Then there was his eventual ousting and comeback — all before his business became the global giant it is today. Before you quit your job or make your next career transition, take your time building the skills you’ll need to do that job well.
2. Be responsible. Don’t chase your dreams in a way that leaves a trail of ruins behind you. I know ‘be responsible’ doesn’t sound as sexy as ‘chase your dreams’, but it is important. Too many times have I seen men and women chase dreams in ways that put their family in the way of harm. I’ve seen marriages break down and tragedy strike as a result of chasing dreams without a safety net or backup plan.
3. The slow-steady strategy may be more norm than we realize. There will almost always be a way to get your dream started – even while you work a job. Think about how you can get momentum up to make that eventual leap. Start small — really small. Most people think that in order to start something great, they’ve got to go big. But that’s not true. Every day, people pursuing their dreams make this mistake. They shoot for the moon without taking the first step. And as a result, they fail.
4. You can pursue your dreams without quitting your job! The reality is that not everyone’s dream is of doing something that requires you to leave employment for it to be achieved. The hard reality is that some people’s dreams don’t end up coming true (at least not in the way that they imagine that they will). Keep the possibility open in your mind that perhaps a part-time job will be enough to sustain you so that you can pursue your dreams. I know that this isn’t always feasible in every industry but I know a number of people who found part-time work and simplified their lifestyle in order to sustain themselves while they also worked on making their passions and dreams a reality.