There Are Only Two Good Reasons to Quit Your Job
Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 9:00AM | 14 Comments 
Photo by divemasterking2000It was the third time I'd had that conversation in a month. Someone else wanted to quit their job and start freelancing full-time. And, for the third time, I told them not to do it. I told them to keep their day job, choose their hobbies wisely, and stay at it. I told them to stay put.
In my mind, there are only two reasons to quit your day job:
- You have something viable to go to, like another gig with guaranteed income, a new project that pays, or a lotto ticket that it's time to cash in.
- You're about to literally blow your brains out.
I worked at a hotel for two long years. I drove to work and back home most days thinking I'd rather do anything else. But I knew I couldn't do nothing. So I stayed until I finally was hired in the nonprofit world.
There's a lot of social media experts (nearly 16,000 of whom are on Twitter, according to this Mashable report), but very few get paid. Of those that do, very few make enough to live on. I made just a hair over $10,000 last year speaking and consulting about it. I could have pushed it hard and maybe doubled that total, signing up more corporate and nonprofit clients. But, to do that, I would have spent a lot of time selling myself and less time doing actual consulting work.
This year, I'll consult less, taking gigs that pay more. So, I'll work less and get paid more (or the same probably), only because I've developed enough of a reputation in certain circles. But it took me nearly three years to develop that reputation. It's not something I left any job to build. It's happened over the course of hours and days and years.
Remember: jumping off of a 200-foot cliff is a lot of fun for 199 feet. That final 12 inches is a bitch.
But, there's hope.
If you have a 40-hour-a-week job that you hate, the upside is this: you have 109 days off this year. Add up your weekends and major holidays and you'll find that these are days you have entirely to yourself. That's over three months that you have to do what you want.
Most of the world will spend it watching TV or mindlessly surfing the Internet. Noble and relaxing pursuits, but they don't help you build a reputation that you can cash in on in three years. So, let's do some math:
- 109 days off this year
- 8 hours a day spent perfecting a hobby, talent, or skill
- 872 hours total to get good at something
Add in paid time off and other vacation days (I didn't count days like Columbus Day or the day after Thanksgiving) and up your output to 10 hours a day and you'll have 1,300 hours of available time.
Wake up an hour or two earlier on the days you head into the office and you can easily find yourself with close to 2,000 hours to spend doing what you think you have to quit your job to do. Do that for two years and you can build a network of true fans and paying customers.
In 2,000 hours, I could write a book (I could probably write several), start a few web ventures, and maybe even become a good photographer. The time is mine to do with as I please, all the while being able to pay my mortgage, save money, and get ready to take a leap (with a parachute).
Skipping the trip to Destin, a few football games, trivia nights, and entire seasons of TV shows could pay off a lot quicker than leaving a job you hate for no good reason.
What will you do with your 2,000 extra hours this year?
Reader Comments (14)
Great post, Sam. Great. It's hard to argue with those numbers. People rarely think about the time it takes to build a network worthy of freelancing and they spend even less time thinking about the amount of time that a full time job gives them to pursue hobbies in a given year. Even if you take time for personal or social time, you still have time to build yourself a parachute if jumping into freelance is the road you choose.
Scott: Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully, more of us can spend time thinking before we leap so that we can land softly. I'd love to hear about any success you've had with this. Ever spend 2,000 (extra) hours in a year doing something that paid off?
-Sam
the wifey might take some concern over spending all those weekend hours building up my hobbies &:~D
sage advice nonetheless
Gavin:
I was hoping you'd weigh in. :)
Yes - spending 2,000 hours (outside of a full time job) would cause concern from others, particularly those with whom you should be spending some of that time (wife, son, landscaper). Thus, you've got to be wise as to what you focus on, as well.
-Sam
Excellent post Sam, thanks for putting this into perspective. One of my new year's resolutions this year is to incorporate 'working smarter, not harder' into all aspects of my life. The fact that you've illuminated exactly how many extra hours I have this year motivates me even more to go out and work towards my personal and professional goals this year.
Happy 2010!
Cheers,
Renjie
Renjie:
Thanks for sharing your resolution with us! I can't wait to hear about what you work smarter on in 2010.
-Sam
Nicely done Sam.
With that extra time this year my goal is to diversify my income. Right now, 100% comes from my job, which I enjoy but I know deep down it's not what I want to do for the rest of my life.
RJ:
Thanks for the kind words, and good luck diversifying your income. It can be a great thing. Let us know how you did it once it happens!
-Sam
I enjoyed your use of a double negative (and in bold no less), which in this case was actually appropriate Standard English. I also enjoyed your post.
However, what happens if the cliff off of which you are jumping is only 5 feet tall (horrible job) and the ground is made of rubber (an economic climate that encourages innovation and rewards risk taking)?
M.:
Good question. Part of deciding to jump is sizing up the cliff and the landing spot. What I suggest in this post is not to jump when you've got 200 feet to go and no parachute. Your situation may be worth taking a leap. Please tell me where said economic climate is. Thanks.
-Sam
AMEN! I love hearing perspectives from people who advocate keeping your job until you find another one. I'm not trying to shoot anyone's dreams down, but sometimes the hard choice is the more practical one - stay at a job you don't love so that you can buy yourself time to find something else that will bring in valid income.
I love where you say, "Remember: jumping off of a 200-foot cliff is a lot of fun for 199 feet. That final 12 inches is a bitch." So true! And I loved your optimistic spin on full-time work - that we actually end up with three months off (and even more if we work in the morning and evening, like many bloggers do). Great post, Sam - thanks!
Jenny:
Thanks for stopping by - I'm a big fan of your blog.
It's tough to realize how much time we have off, since it's not all together (like in college). But, it can be equally valuable. We don't have to use all of it on some monetary pursuit, but being committed to using a chunk of it could be a great career decision. I think many bloggers are a great example of this.
-Sam
This is a great post! It's so tempting to just quit working and try to make it in the trendy world of freelancing. So often, I waste free time after work just relaxing and do not take the opportunity to learn new skills and make the most of it.
After reading this post, I'd like your feedback on this predicament I'm in Sam: What's your take on quitting college or taking an extended break from school. I am a sophomore and am just about to begin my second semester off from college this month. What's your take? Do you think a college education is absolutely essential for a successful life? Also, what advice would you give to a young person who hates college? What are the alternatives?
Kieley:
Thanks for reading - you bring up a very good point.
I've actually taken two permanent breaks from grad school, starting and stopping twice. For me, my goals were unclear. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the degrees I was seeking. That said, college is a bit different. I'll shoot you some thoughts in email format later, if that's cool with you. In the meantime check out these two posts about college. They may get you thinking:
1) No “A for Effort:” How Colleges Fail Generation Y
2) 3 Ways to Upgrade College
-Sam
I have to admit: I got all huffy at first when I read, "I drove to work and back home most days thinking I'd rather do anything else. But I knew I couldn't do nothing. So I stayed until I finally was hired in the nonprofit world." "Nothing!?" I thought. "Hustling ... marketing ... researching ... pitching ... writing ... that's not nothing!"
But you're absolutely right. Before I left a full-time job in book publishing to become a full-time freelancer, I prepared myself with continuing education, networking, freelancing in my off-hours, post-college internships, etc. The hours were brutal but, only six months after going full-time freelance, I was able to match my previous salary!
So, yes. I'm a huge proponent of busting your butt and being prepared. Thanks for the post.
Steph:
Thanks for stopping by and weighing in. It's good to hear from someone who's taken the leap and landed safely.
You're right - doing nothing isn't actually nothing if you're hustling like crazy. I wasn't (or wasn't willing to) at the time, so to me, it would have literally been nothing.
-Sam
Wow, this post really made me think. Its sad, but when I had a life back when I worked 8-5 (not too long ago), I was one of those people who spent all my time on the internet blogging and watching pirates of the caribbean over and over again. however! in my defense I had no social life because I took a job in a city where I had no friends...and I was just rediscovering my passions... does that work as a valid excuse? So, now that i'm a grad student, I have no extra time to do what I want to do: spend time with loved ones, read, write and paint. sad day! :(
Larissa:
I think some of the upside to "using our time wisely" is that we can determine what's important or what our passions are. It sounds like you've found yours, so congrats! The key now is to figure out how to balance your passions, your demands, your social life, and everything else. It's not easy, but it can be done - maybe in less than 2,000 hours. :)
-Sam
Absolutely agree Sam! I'm slowly growing my income from my secondary job, because I want it to be full-time someday. My significant other will hit me if I spend any more time on my "hobby" this year, so instead of more time, I'm going to be spending better time on my hobbies. Wonderful!
Richard:
You raise a good point. I think we need to really spend time thinking through what a hobby is (unpaid) and what is a viable business opportunity. Of course, if the two can match up, great! Spending quality time with a significant other is also of utmost concern. Don't forget to do that!
-Sam
now, this is the last thing i would expect to see on a blog these days. most days, we are so excited with ourselves with we encourage each other to jump ship, take a risk - do SOMETHING! but it's true, the numbers are sobering. i wonder what we really could accomplish if we looked at life this way. the capitalist in me wonders just how much more MONEY i could make if i worked a plan diligently. this would help me to pay off my debt, which would help me to do even MORE of what i wanted.
this is really excellent. thanks for completely shifting my paradigm. jeez. you really found a very new and fresh approach to this age old problem.
-tiffany
Tiffany:
Thanks for stopping by and weighing in. I took a quick look at your blog and subscribed immediately. Can't wait to catch up!
If you want a good look at someone who's using free time to explore business ventures and pay off debt, what Matt Chevy is doing is pretty remarkable.
Of course, using all 2,000 free hours may be a stretch, but most people would be surprised what could be accomplished in just 1/4 of that.
-Sam
I wonder how you'll count the hours up after the baby comes.
Nancy:
No doubt, my math will need to change when the baby comes. Any major change should shift priorities. I'll definitely be writing follow up posts on what's possible when you have a new person living at your house. :)
-Sam
Hmmm...although I don't completely agree with your advice (I am a "no guts, no glory" kind or girl), I do think this is a very good post. I agree that one should segue into full-time freelancing while holding down a full-time job, if for no other reason than it will quickly become apparent whether one has the fortitude to make it as a solopreneur. Not many people have the drive, ambition, or stamina to work 8 or 9 hours for someone else and then run their own side hustle. Sometimes, the best fuel for an entrepreneurial venture is to have no other choice but to make it work.
Nichole:
Well put. Some people will be able to make it work, whether it's out of necessity or sheer will power. For others, they'll need a sure thing before they venture out on their own. Freelancing isn't for everyone; the trick is to know if it's for us.
-Sam
Sam, while I'm glad you posted this, I couldn't even begin to express how much I disagree with every word. I wasn't ready to blow my brains out at my last job but I felt like I was coasting and didn't feel like WASTING 2 years of my life. Sorry, but that's what it is. If you don't like it, don't effing do it.
Screw being practical. I was unhappy and knew I had so much more to offer so I quit. And I think encouraging people to use their time off their day job to work on something that they should be doing as a career is a) depressing and b) bad advice. I could go on and on about this but essentially quitting your job encourages you to work extra hard at what you love and actually make money off your passion. I hate to sound like a broken record but after a 9-hour work day the last thing I want to do when I get home is do more work, regardless if it's the "fun" kind. We can only devote so much of our time to work and it's not laziness, it's preserving our sanity.
So while you may advocate being practical, it's really just playing it safe. And those who play it safe get nowhere and most never realize their dreams. That's what they call getting stuck in a rut.
Marian:
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Constructive dissent is always welcome here, and you've provided it.
I agree - staying put forever will get you no where. But I also think some people (maybe not yourself) under-estimate the time and effort needed to "go for it." For some, it may not be as easy, and they'll need to build up a nest egg, a network, or a skill set. Others may not want that and will only learn to swim when thrown in the deep end.
I'm all for taking risks - the right ones.
-Sam