I know, I know. Who am I to give advice? No one really. Just a guy with a desire to quit his nine-to-five…but do you know how many people want to do that? Pretty much everyone (or so they say). After all, don’t we all get tired of being told what to do, when to do it, or how to do it? But that’s not really what ey925 is about (or shouldn’t be).
Let’s face it, there are plenty of ways to ey925, most of them involve working a decent-paying, steady job for 30 years with a good 401 (k) match, stock options, or (perhaps) even a pension. If all you want to do is retire, you don’t need to ey925, you just need to get back to work! And hey, there’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with working for “the man” – there’s actually a lot to love about it.
The prospect of being “out there” – on your own, is terrifying (or should be). Do you understand what it means to “eat what you kill”? It means if you don’t “kill” something (the sale, the project, the product) your electricity gets cut, your fridge goes empty, your tub doesn’t fill with water (wipes are not cheap either). Yeah, it’s terrifying – and if you’re not scared, it’s because you’re really brave (or really dumb).
But does it have to be that terrifying? Do you have to just “go for it”, “cross the Rubicon”, “roll the dice”? Maybe in certain scenarios, that’s the only way. Me thinks, however, there are many ways to ey925, and – as inspirational as “going for broke” sounds, I’m pretty sure most people who do – do go broke. It makes for a great movie, a good book, and an interesting American Idol testimony (I sold my car to get here, Simon, let’s hope I can sing) – but it’s really not that great of a plan.
You see, here’s a little secret. The way to ey925, is actually going to look pretty similar to what you’re doing now – but on steroids and with MORE risk. If the prospect of losing your job doesn’t get you to work on time now, how is your alarm clock supposed to rouse you from your slumber? If you currently outspend your present paycheck, how are you supposed to stay on budget when it comes to running a business? If you’re not so great at dating, why do you think marriage will make everything better? “But I’m just not motivated,” you say. “I’m just not interested,” you counter. “I’m just a free spirit!” you contend.
Shut…up. For real. “Silence, you fool” (to quote Gandalf). Look, all these feelings you’re feeling right now – at your nine-to-five, will resurface once you’ve left, and will resurface with a VENGEANCE! Getting out of your 925 to be an entrepreneur (yes, that’s what we’re doing) is like joining the Army to get out of soccer practice (only do it if you really want to join the Army, or realllly hate soccer). You think you’re ALWAYS going to be motivated rolling deep with your boys in the food truck? Do you really believe you’re going to want to get up at 4am every day to open up that coffee cart? Are you straining at the bit to file taxes, research local employment laws, and process the returns of dissatisfied customers?
Look, all I’m saying is, if you can’t somewhat skillfully sail your boat in the pond (your job), you’re certainly going to sink in the sea (once you leave it). Get terrified, be afraid – be very, VERY afraid. The majority of people who want to ey925 want to do so for all the wrong reasons. They want to “jump ship” because they are lazy oarsmen, tired of being barked at by their “nincompoop” captain. They think taking on the ocean in a rowboat – all alone – beats having to toe the line for the Royal Navy. CAREFUL! Be warned. You are wrong.
Okay, okay, let’s reel it in. I don’t want to get all negative on you. After all, I’m writing a blog all about escaping your nine-to-five! And if you’re still reading (tough old bird), you may be genuinely interested in completing the journey. But let’s not act like this process is going to be a Mr. Rogers experience. You’ve probably (somewhat) been living in the Land of Make Believe. We are going to hop on that Little Red Trolley and take a ride on the wrong side of the tracks, the Land of Reality – where Daniel Tiger will eat you alive, King Friday is itching to have you executed, and X the Owl has rabies (sorry, sorry).
Alright, let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, when you read, you begin with ABC, when you ey925 you start with what, who, ME ?!?!
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