As of late there seems to be this major push for people to “quite your 9 to 5” and be your own boss. That theme seems to have escalated to higher depths especially after the most recent Presidential Elections. Although I am an entrepreneur and encourage those who would like to start their own business, to begin the process, I could never encourage someone just to quite their job. There are so many things to consider before just jumping up to leave your job to pursue your dreams.

Now, I would be incorrect if I said no one is successful if they just up and quite their job. There are stories of success of individuals that have quit their day jobs and went into full time entrepreneurship with no financial issues or setbacks. However, those stories are far, few and in between. There are many individuals that do not like their current work situations and feel like they “desperately” need to get out. It seems since there are so many people that feel this way, there are countless people on social media that encourage that sense of desperation by saying “your job is stealing your time”, “that job isn’t loyal” and so on. These types of mantras have to be blocked out and I encourage you, if you are feeling this way to spend time in prayer and study God’s word.

Yes, there are many classes, webinars and the like that will “teach” you a plan to transition or quite your job. However, those content creators are not going to be able to tell you your purpose, much less help you out if you do follow the steps they gave you and you don’t succeed. (Quite frankly they must just lead you to another of their paid classes). You may receive a suggestion to write down everything you love to do and turn that thing into a business. Well, that sounds good, but everything we enjoy doing is not meant to be a business. So instead of falling into a rabbit hole of trying to turn everything you enjoy doing into a business, take a step back, breath and pray. Now, this may not seem like a “fast” enough answer in our microwave society, but if you truly want to know which direction you are to go, the ONLY one that can truly give you that answer is God. God will also send those into your life to bring you confirmation on that thing you have been praying about.

Scripture Reference and Suggestions

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” – Jeremiah 29:11 – 14, NIV
Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. – Habakkuk 2:2, NIV
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:3, NIV

Instead of making decisions based on your emotions, search God’s scriptures, mediate and journal your thoughts. Of course, if you would like one of our Prayer Journals to get you started, you can purchase that here. God answers, and his answer is either ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Wait’, either way you will receive an answer. Consider the costs to becoming an entrepreneur, such as your monthly expenses and obligations. It’s nice to take a webinar or course to tell you how to quite your job, but that person teaching the course does not know your personal financial obligations.

Ask yourself can you begin to transition into entrepreneurship over time. Maybe you begin the process by building your business while you are still at your 9 to 5. If you are in a situation where you feel you “hate” your job, ask God to soften your heart in your situation and to take over your thoughts. In addition, ask God to perhaps remove you out of the situation into a different situation until it’s time for you to completely transition from a tradition 9 to 5.

While it’s easy to say a job is “stealing” your time, truth is you gave that 9 to 5 your time. They extended you an offer and your accepted it. So your 9 to 5 didn’t “steal” anything from you that you didn’t give them. Furthermore, to say your job isn’t “loyal” to you is also not entirely true. As an entrepreneur you will have clients and customers you serve; please realize even your own clients and customers can “fire” you. Your product or service may no longer be a part of their business strategy or budget. Whether you are working in a traditional 9 to 5 or working as an entrepreneur you are always accountable to someone to do something. Yes, you may have more flexibility as an entrepreneur, but you still need to know how to deal with adversity and setbacks as an entrepreneur and not blindly thing that once you land a customer or client “that’s it, I’ve got their business for life”.

Lastly, someone shared this great Youtube video with me and I thought I would share it with you since the content creator gave permission to share. Check it out and also take into account some of the suggestions above. Please leave a comment below if you can relate or if you have recently started your business with an intent to transition from your 9 to 5.