As exciting as they are, big decisions can be a bit scary, too — especially when it’s whether or not to call it quits from your 9-to-5. Why? Well, if you’re anything like I was, your desire for creative, financial, and lifestyle freedom has to contend with a TON of uncertainty…
And our human minds? Uncertainty isn’t one of their strong suits! Maybe you’re wondering “how will I make this work?,” “what if I don't know what type of business to start?,” or “who should I tell?”
Those concerns are valid, friend, but focus on them too much and you risk staying stuck with one foot in the office and one foot out — knowing that you could be happier and more fulfilled calling the shots, creating your own definition of success, and never counting down the days till the weekend again.
Full disclosure, handing in your notice may never feel 100% right…
… but the good news is that it doesn't have to. It just has to feel a little bit more right than staying in a job where you feel underappreciated.
Luckily, with some simple and strategic prep work you can tip the scales from fear to genuine excitement — enter your exit strategy!
“What exactly is an exit strategy?”
An exit strategy is a plan of action, usually including a business idea, a financial plan, and maybe… just maybe… an ergonomic chair for your new home office. So you can quit with as much comfort and as little confusion as possible 😉
So how do you know when it’s time to listen to that voice inside your head saying “I deserve more”? Keep reading to discover that and:
👉 Whether this is “just a slump” or you’ve really hit the ceiling at your current place of employment.
👉 10 signs you’re ready to create your exit strategy.
👉 The step-by-step plan I wish I would’ve had before leaving my corporate career to build what’s become a multimillion-dollar business.
To get you started, grab “Your Money On The Side Guide,” which is a step-by-step for how to map out your side hustle profit potential, even if you don't have an offer yet!
10 Signs It’s Time to Create Your 9-to-5 Exit Strategy
01. You’re Ready for More Recognition
You go above and beyond for your employer — maybe taking on extra projects, traveling at a moment’s notice, or working late into the night. In return? You get a 2-3% raise once a year and a “thanks…” if you’re lucky. And while that might have been enough motivation in your first year or two of employment, that’s no longer the case — you want ROI in the form of real recognition and respect.
02. Creative Freedom Fires You Up
You don’t just dream of creating things for the company you work for — you dream of creating them for yourself and those you know you could help. Maybe you even feel a bit frustrated having to spend your time on projects of little personal significance when you could be using it to pursue your purpose and bring your big ideas to life.
03. You Value Your Time (+ Want to Make the Most of It)
You know your time is precious, but the people you work for? Not so much. Maybe you're tired of repetitive tasks that don't make use of your expertise — maybe you've poured hours into projects that end up on the cutting room floor. Either way, you dream of dedicating your days to something meaningful to YOU. Of going to bed at night knowing you're that much closer to living the flexible lifestyle of your dreams.
04. You Know You’re Capable Of More
Maybe your job doesn’t always allow you to tap into your full potential. From the limited tasks to the hours that are dictated by the boss, there's no doubt that a 9-to-5 can hold you back professionally and personally. This is why it's important to recognize that a job — even one you love — isn't the only place for your skills and talents.
05. There's Little Space for Experimentation
Maybe your workplace leaves little room for innovation — instead of testing your ideas and trying new things, you're expected to do what you're told, follow directions to a tee, and value tradition over all else. If that feels a bit stifling, I don't blame you one bit. You want to honor your creativity and give it room to grow — maybe into a product or service with the potential to change thousands of lives. You want to make a real mark on this world, and you're realizing your desk job might not be the best place to do that.
06. You Can’t Seem to Connect
It's natural to form relationships with the people you spend 40+ hours a week with. But if you find that those relationships are mostly superficial — that there doesn't seem to be any sort of deeper connection present — that might be a sign it's time to take a step back. After all, you deserve to surround yourself with people whose aspirations align with yours. People who inspire you to do the work that actually lights you up.
07. You're Ready to Grow
You know your potential goes far beyond being a fantastic “employee.” You could be leaning into your passion and leveraging it to create something that makes a real difference in your life and the lives of others. You could be building momentum, making your dreams a reality, and learning SO much in the process, from communication to leadership to organizational skills — things with the potential to not just change your business but also your life.
08. You Crave More Self-Care (+ The Idea of Setting Your Own Schedule Feels Like a DREAM)
You LIVE for the weekends because it's one of the few times you can focus on yourself — catching up on sleep, spending time with your significant other, or taking a Yoga class or two. Maybe you daydream about having the freedom to decide not only how you spend Saturday and Sunday, but Monday through Friday, too. You're ready to take control — to decide exactly how you invest your time.
09. You’re Inspired to Create Your Own Position of Power
Maybe you never want anyone to tell you what to do ever again. And you're ready to give yourself the recognition and respect that you've always deserved. And, in doing so, inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of self-empowerment.
Climbing the corporate ladder is NOT your only option when it comes to gaining that glorious CEO title in your email signature.
10. You're Reading This Blog Post
Sometimes, no matter how many signs are pointing in the right direction, you just have to trust your gut and go for it! If you're feeling frustrated with your current situation and really want to make a change, starting your own business could be a great option. Starting a business takes hard work and dedication, but you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t up to the challenge.
So what do you think, friend?
If at least half of those describe how you’re feeling in your 9-to-5, then I have to let you know about my new book Two Weeks Notice: Find the Courage to Quit Your Job, Make More Money, Work Where You Want, and Change the World.
I wrote this to take the confusion out of transitioning from employee to boss. It's a step-by-step process for building the business that enables you to leave the office for the last time and start living a life of your own design.
Inside, you’ll get everything you need to create an exit strategy, including:
✅ A 4-step plan for “unbossing” yourself (from choosing the date to giving your notice!) so you can start working towards your dreams instead of someone else’s
✅ A “sweet spot test” to help you develop the idea for your business and an understanding of what sets that idea (and ultimately you!) apart
✅ Simple strategies for identifying exactly who you will help (down to their favorite TV show!) and how you will do it
✅ How to craft the offer that your dream audience has been waiting for, price it, and put it out there (+ plug and play Instagram templates to spread the word)
✅ Tried-and-true business models and revenue-generating strategies (+ how to pick the right ones for you!)
Ready to start creating the exit strategy that helps you leave your desk job in the dust? Then click below to learn more and grab your copy of Two Weeks Notice today!