What was I Thinking....Should I Just Keep my Day Job?

When I decided to pursue being an entrepreneur I think the first thing I had to ask myself was if I could do it. I had to plan and map out what I was going to do and put before me the challenge in full scope so I could see how I was going to overcome it.  (that was easy to write..that last line). It was and still is tough.

Here is what I can tell you from being just a little more than a year in (and that is a drop in the bucket).  If you think starting a business is hard work it is and more than you might imagine.  You have to put the time in and you have to have a tenacity to stay focused. Stay determined.

Once you determine this is your passion, your dream to become real then you need to work harder then you have ever for it. You can’t treat your business like a hobby or side hustle (at least not as the end result).  If you do then everyone else will, trust me.  It will also feel as if the big picture is so out of reach but that is okay….this takes baby steps, stepping stones.  I find the key is to approach your business as if it were your only sense of livelihood (at least the nights and weekends you will be putting towards it).

I do not claim to have any fail proof advice other than this but I can tell you from my own experience of falling on my face and getting back up, here is what I find is essential.

Ask yourself the hard questions and answer them honestly.  

• Can you work a regular job and run a business at the same time? 
• How do you plan to put in the hours (figure an 8 hour day for now) in addition to your current job?
• Yes sometimes another full 8 hours after your day job..WOW.
• Can you be certain this additional time will not affect your current job?
• Will you be able to shake the tiredness?
• Green tea and energy bars will be your new friends!
• Will you have to forgo overtime on your job?
• Remember when we lived and loved overtime!
• Will you be on call as often if you are salary?
• Is this a SIDE business or a full startup?
• If you are just trying to payoff debt or make more money, you are headed down the wrong path.  It can not be for the money.
• Do you have an idea when you would like to leave your job?
• Have you really thought about life without your day job?
• Remember Healthcare and Vacation- there is a new perspective and expense to consider!
•   Do you know the financial needs to start your business?  Do you have it and if not where will you get it?
•   Financial planning is essential…seek help to answer these questions.

In addition to assessing these questions I implore you to NETWORK with others like yourself.  “Fellow Dream Catchers Unite” is my motto.  There is nothing more encouraging then being able to work through these challenges with others that are going through the same circumstance. At the same time, I recommend to keep your business private from your day job. If you really want your coworkers to know that you own a company, let them find out once you have made that decision that you are going to leave it behind.  You don’t want your lifeline cut short before its time. (even though…sometimes, just sometimes…you need to have that cord cut when you least expect it!)

TIME MANAGEMENT is key.  I am a mother on top of all of this and so for me to have the time to split 3 ways is incredibly challenging.   I work to a calendar and I am constantly scheduling time between all 3 hats.  But I stick to a schedule!  I schedule time just for my daughter (Monie and Mommy time) and I set time apart for my dream business every night.   In fact I will share this with you.   I dedicate a day to one aspect of my business and I focus just on that.   This way I feel as if I am managing what needs to be done in a week.

HELP!  I can’t stress enough that you have to ask for help.   There is just no way to do it otherwise.  And I can tell you it is hard, particularly if you do not have any funds to pay someone.   But you know what my mom says, what are friends for???  I have some great friends that help me whenever I need them and I make a point to do the same for them.

Take a break!  So after talking about how much time you have to put in and then here I am telling you to take a break?  Life is very short and time is limited but if you don’t take a moment to take a breath you will burn yourself out.  And as important as it is to be focused you have to focus on your health. Take a moment to MEDITATE or YOGA as a release for mental health.   Since you are scheduling to keep organized, throw in a class or an early morning hour for reflection.  Your mind will thank you for it I can guarantee you.

My final outlet is to write.  Share your experiences as other are going thru similar issues I can assure you and we all can encourage each other to become that which we long to become!

Have to go….back to work!!!!!!!! I Leave you with Kevin Hart......