OK. I did it โ I just quit my job as an associate vice president in a super company where I worked for the last eight years. No, I donโt have another job offer in hand. No, I havenโt won the lottery or got a huge inheritance either. ย And no, I still have my wits around me. Why then am I leaving the security of a well-paid corporate job out of my own choice? The answer (and it took me around a year and a lot of self-examination to arrive at this) is simple โ I want to WORK HAPPIER. In the last one year, I have made being โHappy in the Nowโ the guiding philosophy of my life and work being where the largest chunk of my time goes into, need I say more?
So in answer to the question I have heard quite often in the past week โ โwhy would you do something so crazy?โ – Here are the five reasons why I am trading security for risks:
Reason #1: Getting out of the โComfort Zoneโ – I realized that I had become too comfortable and in my view, being too comfortable is a sure path to getting stuck and becoming mediocre pretty soon. I knew I could do more, much more than the challenges that my current environment set for me. So, a new environment made more sense. Of course this was not easy as I had to think through and get real on:
Security (myth as it doesn’t exist anymore in corporate world)
No other Option (myth as there is always another option)
or Thinking I am better off than most (again a myth, as there is no such thing as better, you have to be the best for yourself)
Reason #2: Personal Growth or Enrichment – This is about moving from a โbeen there and done thatโ feeling to a โcanโt wait to get my hands on itโ feeling. Hikes, promotions and awards though satisfying lose their sheen after a while when you weigh them against what it takes out of you. I have reached a stage where what makes me the happiest is when I get to try something new and succeed at it or the contentment of getting a job well done. The pursuit of lifelong learning is a reward in itself.
Reason #3: Flexibility or Independence – Ahh โ the freedom of being able to choose your own assignments, be totally accountable to yourself and go after only what your own gut/heart tells you โ can there be anything more liberating ? Add to that flexibility in schedules, setting your own priorities and deciding your business goals โ scary but so exciting. ย ย I do realize that this makes me the only person to blame if I fail but hey โ whatโs life without a bit of adventure? Sure, my failure is only mine but so will be my success ๐
Reason #4: Earning or Giving Back Potential – This one is a pure economic consideration โ stay in a secure job and I know almost to the exact amount what I will earn next year, the year after that and so on โ a guaranteed income no doubt but only so far that it can go. Weighing this against the possibilities (yes, you gotta be a little optimistic here) โ well, the sky is the limit ๐ . My momโs continuing near death experiences has reinforced the fact that time is precious and there is a lot that I can and need to do to give back to the community. I have plans to leave the world a little better, make the lives of a few a little easier and there is a lot that I should and could be doing already. Grandiose, they may be but I need to convert these into reality sooner rather than later.
Reason #5: The Entrepreneurship Bug โ Doing something of my own has always been a recurring dream/theme in the back of my mind almost all my life. I have very definite ideas about starting, running and succeeding in a business and have worked for others in putting these ideas into action my entire career. It was high time I think that I took the gauntlet myself. Micro entrepreneurship allows me to experiment in being agile, innovative and moving between doing and managing while limiting my risks. So yes โ this is the pursuit of my dream and my passion.
So putting my businesswoman hat on now, if you are looking for someone to get things done in your business โ look no further. I can manage your operations so that you can manage your business. I have covered the areas of my specialties in the various posts that I have written on this blog so far and you get a glimpse of my professional profile here. Call me your super-temp, interim COO or your brain on rent โ I am available to execute your strategy through operational excellence.
Tell me what you think about my decision. Has this been playing on your mind too? What would motivate you or what stops you from following your dream?
Suchi,
Congratulations on your bold decision. Wish you all the very best in your future efforts. It takes courage and faith to do what you believe in. I have read many of your posts and I am confident that you will succeed in achieving your goals of earning and giving back.
Vish Agashe
Thank you, Vish – your encouragement is much appreciated. Will keep you posted on my journey from here.
Thank you again,
Suchitra
I honor your journey and your courage. WOW. Thanks for inspiring me as I need to work on leaving a job that is not great and it’s so important to see people doing what they need to for their “spirits”.
I did what I loved once and it didn’t pay. I stay someplace that pays and takes so much from my soul.
Your reasons give me hope that it is possible to have what you need in this world!
Thank you, Jennifer – yes, I do believe it is possible to get what you need – just takes a lot of hard work, a little patience and of course, a good amount of courage. One of my favorite phrase is Hope Floats – so keep hoping and don’t stop doing – inch by inch you will reach where you need to.
Regards,
Suchitra
Reblogged this on Mindful Lifestyle – Devoted to Healing & Being and commented:
I reblogged this here because I think our work environment can contribute or take away so much from our physical and spiritual health.
It’s possible to follow your life philosophy and be happy and healthy.
Why wait?
You are going to rock at being an entrepreneur my friend….
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Judy – needed this ๐
Love,
Suchitra
Enjoy the adventure. =) Good luck, have fun, and share your notes!
Thanks Sacha, I enjoy following Your adventure here greatly : http://sachachua.com/blog/
You are an inspiration.
Regards,
Suchitra
Hi Suchitra,
Firstly, nice to catch up with you after a very long time.
Secondly, congratulations on a very bold decision. It is people like you who do things differently that stand out. Reading this post was like an education in itself. All the very best in your future ventures.
Anand.
Hello Anand – yes its been a very long time and I am glad we could meet again though my blog. Thank you for the compliments and the wishes. Of course I am very scared inside but this time my “boldness” has won the battle ๐
Regards,
Suchitra
Hi Suchitra- Thanks for this wonderful insight and I am sure this will inspire many champs around. Looking forward to hear the victory song soon.
High -five
-Amandeep
Thank you, Amandeep – will call you for the victory dance too ๐
Suchitra
“Hikes, promotions and awards though satisfying lose their sheen after a while when you weigh them against what it takes out of you.” SO TRUE! This is a great blog post.
Hey Britt – Thanks for dropping by. Yes, that insight comes after years of working and running after the “carrots” in the distance. Everyone likes appreciation and specially when it is given in a tangible, visible form. It took me a while to realise that the best appreciation comes from within – for a job well done, a milestone for self reached or an achievement of a challenge set for oneself. Everything else though nice to have is not a must-have for me anymore – thankfully.
Regards,
Suchitra
So true. You have a great way of communicating such complicated emotions & situations. Keep it up.
I needed to read it. It was so inspiring as I was looking out for inspirations to start new and fresh. It is really hard to stick to a job, especially when it does not lead to your dreams.
I admire your guts and your attitude. May you reach your dreams and make a difference like you just did with your writing.
thanks
Hello Sabina – Go for it ! Just take that step and soon everything will fall in place. Thank you also for your kind words – made my day.
I would love to be of help to you through this process – my email id is suchim6 at hotmail dot com. Do write to me – maybe we can assess the situation together.
Regards,
Suchitra
Hi Suchitra.. really loved your blog.. Its really inspiring and really a great decision.. Its not so easy to come out of the corporate mouse trap.. There are many who wish to come out but very few really take the step.. All the best for your new venture..
Thank you, Ranvijay for your wishes and compliments. It is quite a big step and I am not trivializing the planning and preparation that is needed to take the step. But at some point you have to do the SWOT analysis for yourself (corporate parlance again :)) and just go ahead and do it.
Regards,
Suchitra
Great post and congratulations! I can totally relate to everything you mentioned. I have been thinking about the same thing lately, to travel and then work towards developing some new skills toward free-lancing or conceptualizing my own business. Wish me luck and I hope to find the same courage as you soon. ๐
Hello Lea – thanks for dropping by. What you are thinking (and this thinking arises from your need for change) sounds like a great plan ! Keep thinking and then preparing for it. I wish you all the luck and am available for any support in planning that you need or just as a sounding board on skype. You don’t need my wishes for courage – you definitely do have it in you already ๐
Regards,
Suchitra
Hello Suchitra madam :-).. came to know today.. WoW! Great and Bold decision to follow heart and mind .
Best wishes,
Vimal
Thank you, Vimal – You should start following my blog to get all the hot news ๐
Cheers,
Suchitra
Reblogged this on Happy in the now… and commented:
My post on why I said Bye-Bye to a great job has gathered a lot of interesting comments and questions. One of the things that people asked is what can they do if they are in a not-so-great job and do not have an option of quitting it currently. Through this post that I had written a few month back, I want to address that question.
Well, to begin with, congratulations on taking this bold step towards a new phase of life.
Also, welcome to the club of Quitters. I also resigned from my job in the beginning of June. I had the same responses from my friends, colleagues, peers, family members. They asked me about the alternate job offer, I said there’s none. They asked what are you going to do, I said anything but corporate job.
That is how things have been panning out for me since the beginning of 2012 and a trip to US changed everything and I realized life is much larger than the simple paycheck at month end. There is a larger purpose lurking around which we just have to seek and grasp.
I surely do agree to the points you have mentioned in this post. Even I’m working out on the next steps to be taken for my future.
Best of luck for your journey and the way forward ๐
Regards
Jay
http://road-to-sanitarium.blogspot.in/
Hello Jay,
Good to know I have more company ๐ Thank you for your wishes. And I wish you much joy too in your journey. Lets connect soon.
Regards,
Suchitra
oh wow, I just quit my job yesterday. It feels great to be able to have that freedom and not work for something that you are not giving 100% to. Life is short. do what makes you happy .
I share your sentiment. Good luck. Have fun on the way up or down. Either way it will be an adventure.