When To Quit Your Job to Pursue Your Dreams

There’s a famous Tony Robbins saying “If you want to take the island, you have to burn the boats.”

Meaning, if you want to be successful, you have to cut off all other options so you HAVE to make it work.

I don’t buy it. I’ve quit my job THREE separate times to go after my dreams. It was only on the third time that it worked. 

Because instead of motivating me to work hard, not having money paralysed me. I panicked and made stupid short-term decisions.

It was so painful to have to go back to a job because I failed at my business… twice.

From my experience, you’ve got the best chance of quitting your job (and never having to go back) when you meet at least ONE of these three options:

1. A “runway” of at least 6 months of expenses in your bank account (rent, food, bills) AND a stack of cash to invest into growing your business (for materials, marketing, etc). Quitting your job without money is like letting the air out of your rubber dingy in the middle of the ocean without duct tape.
   OR

2. A zero-cost lifestyle (living at your parent’s house rent-free, or you have a husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/parent who has agreed to support you financially until your business takes off)
   OR

3. You’ve already started your business while you’re working, and it is making enough to support you completely.

I had this idea that time was what I needed. If I just quit my job, then I would have the time I needed and my business would suddenly take off.

Time helps, but it’s not enough. You need resources and access to mentors who can guide you.

Take it from me – it’s so much better wait a little while to quit and then KNOW you never, ever have to go back.