A little over two years ago I was working an office job. I would come into work each day wearing a smartly ironed shirt, uncomfortable shoes and a tie which felt like a noose. I was awarded a small cubicle (or prison cell depending on how you looked at it) where I would spend at least 40 hours per-week pressing buttons on a keyboard and shuffling paper hoping to find some sort of fulfillment.
The fulfillment never came.
Fast-forward to 2015, I now work for myself doing what I love and have no boss. I swapped my shirts and shoes for t-shirts and sandals, and spend 9 months of the year working remotely from Thailand.
Here were my 5 telling signs that it was time to quit my job and take another path. Have you experienced the same?
1. There’s a constant duel between the brain and heart
After being rudely awoken by my alarm clock at 6am each morning, my brain and heart would instantly go into battle. My brain was ordering me to get out of my warm bed, eat, get dressed then make the one hour commute to my office to do a job I don’t enjoy.
My heart was telling me to stay in bed, do something you truly enjoy and avoid the drudgery awaiting for you at your desk.
People may call you lazy for not wanting to get out of bed and going to work but you’re not. You’re simply not passionate about your job and would rather do something more fulfilling with your time.
Welcome to the club.
2. Thinking about work turns you into a negative Nelly
Are you the type of person who can’t enjoy a Sunday afternoon because in the back of your mind you know you’re working in the morning? I know I couldn’t. When I hung-out with my friends at the pub I knew 12 hours from now I would be somewhere I don’t want to be…the office.
A lot of work environments are negative places due to the stress involved, lack of fulfillment, high demands and aggressive bosses who keep wanting more. The more time you spend in negative places the bigger affect it has on your psyche, this can even change how you interact with family and friends.
3. You’re tired of making a $1 while your boss makes $5
While having a stable job helps pay the bills and keeps your belly full, it’s unlikely that you will ever move past a certain point financially if you keep working for someone else. You only have a job because what you do makes your employer more money than they pay you, why else would they hire you?
I had so many business ideas which I knew could be a success if I only tried. I knew working for someone else who profits off my hard work while I got the short end of the stick was not where I wanted to be.
4. You think about business ideas at work
If you’re thinking about business ideas that you wish one day to start, this is one of the most telling signs that it may be time to quit your job. This is a great sign because you have something to aim for.
Having your own business will always be more exciting and fulfilling than working for someone else. You created it, it’s your baby and spending time on bringing it to life is not work – but play.
I remember sitting at my desk thinking about creating online websites, importing goods to sell online, writing eBooks, creating affiliate sites and everything else. Anything to get me away from where I was.
If you’re constantly thinking about starting up your own online empire but have trouble coming up with ideas, check out our 60 Lucrative Niches PDF.
5. You’re reading this article
You must have come here for a reason, what was it? Are you looking to start your own online business but lack the tools to do so? You’re not the first person who has thought about doing this and you certainly won’t be the last.
The Internet is bigger than ever and the opportunities are endless. You don’t need to be a master web designer or an expert copywriter, you just need a bit of determination and direction. Thousands of people everyday are setting up online businesses and becoming successful, most have never had any business experience in the past.
I quit my job in 2012 and decided I would be the next success story. With enough money saved I jumped into online marketing with both feet and now earn more than I did in my office job. I manage multiple sites and work as a freelancer writer doing as little or as much work as I want.
While I’m not suggesting for you to quit your job and follow my path, I am just one example of many who have become their own boss and used the Internet to break free from the daily grind.
Which path will you take?
I remember Noelle commented here – unfortunately the database became corrupt and we lost everything from that day O_O stepped up the backup frequency now.