Had a tough day at work? We all do every once in a while – even Steve Jobs encountered frustrating setbacks throughout his life.
But if you have been dreading waking up in the morning for some time now, you and I both know it is time for a change.
David Kerr III was once like you, stuck in a 9-5 job where he worked on stuff he didn’t care about for far too little money.
Eventually, he got to the point where he couldn’t take the status quo anymore. He took action on an idea that had been stewing in the back of his mind for years, and after a year of sacrificing his free time at home, he was able to kiss his cubicle goodbye.
These days, he offers consulting to entrepreneurs trying to build what he created, and he is free to explore anything that strikes his fancy.
Want the life David has?
Follow the general outline below, and you’ll be well on your way to earning your own freedom.
1) Learn what you are passionate about
While it isn’t necessary to be passionate about a business to be successful at it, it is mandatory to at least like the process of building companies.
Since you are starting from scratch, though, start out by founding a business in a field you know well and one where you have an active interest.
Travel enthusiasts might consider opening up an online travel agency, becoming a travel writer, offering their services as a tour guide, and so on.
Avid snowboarders can offer private lessons, create a new type of binding, offer a custom board painting, etc.
Tap into your interests and create an enterprise that will pay you a consistent income.
2) Find out what you’re good at
Doing what you love is only half the equation – you also have to have a skill set you can base your business around.
Using the above examples, a social butterfly who forms personal connections with ease would make an excellent tour guide, but an introvert might not be suited to this sort of business.
However, if they are gifted writer, they might have better luck becoming a freelance travel writer.
3) Save up a ‘screw you’ fund
So, you’ve figured out what your core competencies are and you’ve identified business ideas in your field of interest – time to quit your crap job, right?
Wait.
If you only have a few hundred dollars in your account, you are in no shape to cut yourself loose. In order to give yourself the peace of mind needed to perform at the peak of your ability, save up 3-6 months living expenses before handing in your resignation.
4) Brainstorm ideas and develop a side hustle
In many cases, your job actually isn’t a living hell – it’s just mind-numbingly boring and holding you back from your potential.
In this case, you should turn your lunch breaks and free time at home into business grind time. In the case of the former, take special care to hide your intentions, as you don’t want to get laid off trying to better yourself.
5) Increase monthly revenue until you can break free
As you bust your ass on evenings and weekends, track your net profit. After you consistently earn the same or more than what you are currently earning in your 9-5, then you can plan your exit to devote yourself to your business full-time.