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The Corporate Ladder seems to bring out some of the worst in a lot of people. If you do make it all the way up to the corporate ladder, you get rewarded handsomely. There are piles and piles and piles of money. Yes, you read that right: Now, I know this is an….
Some people passionately agree with me, but most do not.
Mostly, they regret not focusing more on the relationships that matter to them. Some regret not taking time to do things they enjoy , like travel, sports, community activities. Perhaps they regret not giving back more to their community or their family. Or they regret having done certain things that hurt others. And they do not regret missing a promotion.
On their death bed, nobody wishes for longer hours at the office, a higher salary, or a bigger title. So, perhaps the folks that want to keep climbing the corporate ladder are being short-sighted. Perhaps they need more life perspective. Pay me a C-suite salary for a year. Take my freedom for just one year, and I gladly do my best.
But something bad enough happened for me to leave it and not turn back though the urge does come up still at times. As painful as it was at the time, it is what has now got me on my own path and working on my own business! Thankyou for the manifesto, I will definately have a read. Wow what an incredibly inspiring post made even better by the amazing comments. While these may […]. Or maybe I should say realistic! Jason, I admire your courage to put your story out there. In reading the comments I love this follow-up of yours: Downloaded your Manifesto and am looking forward to reading it.
I made the leap out of well-paid full-time work a few years back to start a small business. Did that for 1. Now I am looking at leaving it all and downsizing my life completely. I need to live deliberately. An inspiring story indeed — To rise up after life has beaten you down. On another note, I have been coming across this pattern again and again — this search for freedom and contribution to the world is made by people who are the highest achievers in the society. I am not saying that all high achievers are like this, but it is mostly high achievers who get disillusioned with the status quo.
I know I have to jump off but I have no idea what I want out of life. All I want is to be free from the strains of my job , politics and everything else that it comes with. I started my freelance blog and I hope to quit my job next year. Thank you for providing such insight. It takes a lot of guts to walk away from all of your previous hard work and rebuild. Once the passion overtakes you, you believe in it and feel good.
Still gives me time to pursue my dream and not think too hard: Lets see how it goes. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Great outcome in your instance, but I will always give credit to someone who wants something and jumps for it , over someone who always wonders. In your situation where there were kids, a house and bills, thats an even bigger jump. None of us can realize how difficult it would have been for you and your family till we WILL face the same fall someday.
Thanks brother, your words talk exactly what I seek. Thank you for writing. Are You Undervaluing Yourself? After Taking the Leap We had a little bit of a parachute… some savings and some clients that would give us a bit of time before crashing to the ground. Your Small Spark Can Change the World My hope is that my story will not scare you from taking the jump into the chasm in your own life, but that it will inspire you into a realization that you have wings to fly.
Want to finally wake up excited about your work? Notify of new replies to this comment - on. Notify of new replies to this comment - off. I feel like a lot of entrepreneurship and freedom-finding stories kind of gloss over that part of the experience or the potential for it.
Those who make the leap and dont have any struggle have got to by far be a minority I would think. After 20 years slaving away for others, seeing other family members who worked thejr life away for just barely enough to save and get a few weeks of vacation time, I realize the status quo of go to college, get a good job and work your life away is bullshit.
Im done working the best years of my life away. There has got to be a better way than this. Thanks for sharing your story! My crash began at age 29 when I went through a divorce, bankruptcy and foreclosure which triggered a deep state of depression in which I contemplated suicide. But that yearning in my soul kept calling out to me and I simply could not ignore it. I then took a leap of faith and walked away from a secure management position with no savings and followed my heart to become my own boss. Feels like a phoenix rising from the ashes story. Thanks for sharing your story.
Really enjoyed reading your story! I worked in Big Canadian Corporation for ten years. I moved up the ladder to management in a short amount of time. At first, I loved it. I was developing individuals to reach their full potential, bring out their strengths…it was rewarding watching these individuals grow both professionally and personally. I was leading several teams from different platforms. These are the kind of stories Hollywood producers turn into blockbusters.
A hero has it all, loses it all, and then comes back to claim it all and discovers his purpose in life. So what is it that makes the comfort zone so damn alluring? Who in their right mind would give up a job with a great salary, fancy vacations, a big house, and nice cars? Needful Things — As someone who just made the choice to quit my job, this is incredibly timely. My intuition is telling me to jump… and it will happen at the end of this school year. When I began to listen to voice about a year ago, I realized that my purpose is much larger than my job.
Wow, what an inspiring post! The honesty that you speak with really hit me hard. A few years ago, I was working at a job that I despised. I was overwhelmed, stressed out, and always working. It was at that point that I decided things had to change. Too Chicken to Quit Your Job? What my fears are… Journey To Weird. Thanks for writing this. I was apprehensive to open it up based on the title. Thought it might be a discouraging piece and cause even more self doubt.
As I read it, I felt like I was reading my own story. Like you, I was in corporate, making money, climbing that corporate ladder.
Felt lucky and still do to have acheived so much for a small town Texas girl during my time in NY working in banking. Being in a shitty corporate job, I only have meager amount of time to live my life. Makes me want to be child again; no worries, no boss to please, no pointless powerpoint meetings, no ridiculous deadlines. I could actually cry. I currently work to exist.
I did quite my job doing something for someone who was a bully. I got my degree. I have paid off all the debt except one and now I feel I have it the wall. Wondering if its worth it. I know it is but how to keep going. Its just me by myself. I have started to work in private practice so money goes out trying to build this up. The website is a link to my company.
I will be reading all your stuff. As I am a big risk taker and always think and believe things will work out fine… faith I think they call it! Imagine getting paid to be me…. Pavel - Desired World. What a fantastic comment. I hope you achieve everything that your courage merits. I got into electronic engineering since college and continued ever since. Thank you for sharing your story. I am in a similar situation.
Some would think i am crazy for wanting to leave a full time job with benefits and a 6 figure salary. But it has no meaning at all now. I am tired of my long commute and i have an insane desire to change my life and serve mankind and do meaningful things for others. I have no idea how i will start, have no savings, no nothing but my dream and my fear. Five Blogs — 12 September 5blogs. Really enjoyed reading your story.
The best we can do is take the first step. Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us Jason!