Why you should keep your day job (while you go for the business your dreams).

It seems like everyone I talk to lately wants to start a business. There are so many opportunities these days and when we see others fulfilling their dreams a part of us perks up and says "ooh, me too!". That is a good thing – so good! The next thought is often quitting your job, but there are a few good reasons not to hand in your resignation letter just yet...

Drop it like it's hot

We all hear the stories about people who "just knew" what their business would be and then proceeded to quit their job with $35 in the bank and build incredible business empires. This is such an appealing story! It's a hero's journey with a successful outcome. It is all guts and glory. It is also part of the reason why so many businesses fail in their first year. 

Don't get me wrong, jumping into things head first is totally my jam. I'm a quick start on the Kolbe index. But jumping in AND leaving your parachute behind (in the form of your day job), is not the smartest move for a few reasons.

Firstly, it creates too much pressure.

When we are highly pressured financially, all our decisions come from that place. It makes you reek of desperation trying to get business. It also makes you more stressed, less creative and less likely to take the calculated risks you need to make (over and over) to have a thriving business. 

So how about working a steady job but compromising to ease the pressure a bit. There are many ways to configure your working week: work on the weekend for a while, keep your day job but cut down your hours or get a part-time job instead. 

Keeping another income stream gives you the peace of mind and finances to really build the business that YOU want. It means you can try and fail over and over (also known as collecting vital business information). It may seem slower, but it has a much higher chance of succeeding and you get wiggle room that will allow you more time, creativity and risk taking overall. 

Secondly, it keeps some kind of structure to your day. 

When you quit your job straight away you have lots of time to work on your business. This is great in many ways but it can give you a little too much time. Time for self-sabotaging thoughts to take over (get a free guide here). Time to get lonely. Time to spend down rabbit holes online. 

It can be a blessing in disguise to have a limited time to work on your business at the start. Concentrated time working on it, surrounded by other blocks of time to think and doing other things, including your day job, can work really well. 

Thirdly, a steady job provides social contact.

As I said, quitting your job and working on a business solo can get lonely. Whether it's talking rubbish about the Bachelorette or celebrating the latest life event it's great to have colleagues around. While you build your new community, it's great to appreciate and enjoy your work community. 

There's one thing that people worry about when they decide to keep a day job while building their business. That it will somehow doom your business ("I didn't 100% commit!"), signal you didn't really want it or that you will lose motivation. 

The key is to know where you are invested, deep down.

Keeping your day job for a while doesn't mean that you have to invest your heart and soul in that job.

You can commit to your business, while still doing what you know well for a portion of your week. If you're running a business that is soul or passion driven, it's unlikely you'll lose motivation. It will have a drive of it's own. Knowing your 'why' is the foundation of it all.

Why are you running this business? 

It is uncomfortable for a while, straddling two worlds, but it will be worth it. You will know when to make the big leap. Trust that.

By the way, if you're not quite sure what business you want to start or job you want to move into, this is one of my favourite ways to help my clients.

I want to hear from you!

Are you planning a new business?

What questions do you have that are holding you back?

What expert do you currently turn to for an outside perspective? Or do you need someone?

Fill me in below, and let’s see if we can get you on track so you can move through the discomfort and take action!

xx Lara

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Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, life coach and researcher in work and wellbeing. I coach successful 30 and 40 somethings who want more fulfilling or bigger careers but doubt themselves and their options. I help them get out of their own way, find direction and go for what they really want.

Connect with me via Facebook and Instagram.

Everything is great except... what behaviour(s) are you holding onto and why?

Most of us have something in our lives which we are not 100% happy with that has been hanging around for quite a while.

We say we don't like it, we complain about it and yet it seems to be mighty comfortable in our lives!

Does any of this ring a bell?

Everything is fine except...

that I spend more money than I have every month

that I don't like my job and haven't for months or years

that I don't see my friends much

that I don't get around to exercising

that I still have this weight I want to lose

that I lose so much time to being online

and so on...

The conversation that has been taking place internally or between you and your compadres may have been going on a long time. 

So pray tell, why is it still happening?

The answer: It's working for you.

You don't have to like it for it to be doing a job for you.

So it's time to ask, what's it's purpose. Get honest.

Does that behaviour...

Get you out of trying and potentially failing?

Protect your image and identity?

Stop you from grieving what you need to?

Stop you from facing what you don't like in your life?

Keep you playing smaller than you would?

Protect you from the negative judgement of others?

Make you feel safe (a big one with women and unwanted weight)?

Protect you from reliving past heartbreak? e.g. commitment phobe after a big heart break

The bottom line is that these self-sabotage behaviours are often, but not always, about avoiding vulnerability. They are really self-protection behaviours that aren't so helpful. 

The challenge is to dig deep and work out why you're really hanging onto that unwanted behaviour and then what you might do about it. 

Talk with a trusted friend, coach or counsellor and get some clarity around the behaviour, then, if you wish, find a new way of protecting yourself, one that lets you grow and thrive.

With love,
Lara xx

Hi, I'm Dr Lara Corr, life coach and researcher in work and wellbeing. I coach successful 30 and 40 somethings who want more fulfilling or bigger careers but doubt themselves and their options. I help them get out of their own way, find direction and go for what they really want.

Connect with me via Facebook and Instagram.