Editor’s Note: Due to the overwhelming response to a previous post: What Happened to My Body When I Quit my 9-5 Job, I’m choosing to share more insight on this transition in hope of helping others make the same leap. Enjoy!

When I quit my 9-5 job (for good) in August of 2018, it wasn’t an easy decision. I was stressed, mostly to deliver the news to my coworkers and manager.

But I knew, with 100% certainty, that it was the right decision.

However, I definitely wouldn’t have felt that way a couple years ago.

You see, I had always pictured myself as a “career girl” – working my way up the corporate ladder, one day becoming a VP or executive at a company I loved, and thriving in an office setting.

In fact, when I started Poised & Professional back in 2016, it was as a blog to help other women in the workforce succeed – to help them find the career success in the office that they wanted too. (Go back to my earlier posts and take a look! You’ll find they’re very different from the type of posts I’m writing today).

A couple years ago, if you had asked me what my career aspirations were, that’s exactly what I would have said.

(Not running my own blog and education site, and being a working actor.)

But life is funny that way.

Around 2017, I started to realize the potential of online entrepreneurship, especially as it compares to a steady, full-time office job.

I started the realize the potential for MORE: specifically more freedom, more time to work on things I enjoyed, more potential to make a real impact on the world, and of course, more money.

And after I realized that, I couldn’t have remained in my 9-5 office job if I tried.

I knew that I was meant for something bigger, and I knew I had to figure out what it was.

I had caught the entrepreneur bug, and there was no turning back.

Does that sound like you too?! If so, download my “Quit Your 9-5” Jumpstart Guide here.

Here are the three biggest reasons why I quit my 9-5 job (and how I knew it was the right thing to do).

1. More freedom

I’ve shared a little bit about my story of rediscovering my passion as a performer, and how that really changed the course of my career and life purpose. (Long story short: when I rediscovered performing about 2.5 years ago, it re-awoke a passion in me I forgot about, and gave me the courage to pursue the life of my dreams – including forging P&P and empowering other women to find THEIR courage).

But as I started to pick up more professional work, and pursue more professional opportunities, I found out very quickly that the life of a working actor and the life of a full-time marketing manager don’t mix.

In fact, I can still remember so clearly the day that I decided I needed to create more freedom in my life to be able to pursue the work that I love.

I had busted my butt leaving work early and speeding over to an open call audition for one of the most prestigious theaters in San Diego – the audition had began hours ago, but I was hoping they were still seeing people. Just the opportunity to audition for this theatre was something I never thought I would be able to do!

I ran up to the rehearsal space doors, breathless, to find they were locked. I peeked inside, hoping to find someone to let me in, when I heard a voice behind me:

“Are you looking for something?”

I turned around to find a young man, who looked like HE had just left auditions, dressed to dance and with that “I just worked out” glow.

“I’m here for the open dance call?” I said, hesitantly but hopefully.

“Oh, that ended like an hour ago,” he responded. “Sorry.”

And then he walked away.

And I stood there: Crushed. Disappointed. Mad at myself for missing this opportunity.

But after a while, that anger turned to resolve.

And determination.

And as I walked back to my car, I made a promise to myself:

I will not miss another professional audition because of working at a job that I don’t love, that doesn’t serve me, and that isn’t allowing me to create the kind of life I want.

That was the moment I decided my life needed to change. That I need to adjust the way I was spending my time so I could pursue my passions, to leave behind activities that were holding me back, and to create a life of purpose.

2. More earning potential

When you work in an office setting, even at the highest levels of the corporate ladder, you are trading your time for money. You are being compensated for the time you work… and that’s it.

When I realized the potential of passive income, and found an opportunity to create it for myself, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head.

I was already working at a senior level, but I realized, that even if I made it to VP or executive level in a few years… there would always be a cap to my earning potential. I wouldn’t be able to hit that million-dollar mark working as a marketing executive.

And when I read somewhere that most millionaires in the world have at least 7(!) income streams, I knew I had to change my path to get the results I wanted. From there, it was a no-brainer.

3. More purpose

As the saying goes, “if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Some people roll their eyes when they hear that. I’ll admit, I kind of used to as well.

That’s because, it’s really, really hard to find a job that you love. A job that fulfills you that much that it doesn’t feel like work: it feels like a natural fulfillment of your purpose. A job that’s a perfect balance of your unique strengths, passions, and work skills.

It’s even harder to find a job that fulfills you in the corporate workforce.

When I started working on my book, and started growing Poised & Professional, I realized that that old saying is actually true. You CAN feel like you’re not working when you find something that gives you joy, helps others, and allows you to make a living.

But you have to be brave enough to figure out what that thing is. That’s all it takes: bravery and willingness to do the work.

If you feel like you’re there in your head and your heart space – GO. Just start. The best thing you can do is dive in and stop wasting any more time without exploring your passion and purpose. It takes time to figure things out (believe me, I know!), but the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll start to discover YOUR unique potential.

But, if you feel like you could use some help getting started, or someone in your corner who’s been there before, I’d love to chat with you! Feel free to schedule a free Discovery Call with me right here. I can’t wait to meet you!