Three days ago, I resigned from a job that I accepted working for a large insurance company here in Melbourne, Australia. It didn’t feel good. It should have, but I didn’t enjoy it like most of you surely would. Not one bit.
The reason that it felt bad was because through my own mind, and the path that I had planned for myself, I truly believed that the idea of taking up part time work three months ago was not just the best thing for me, but the best possible thing for my own business.
With the extra cash, I could hire an article writer or two, I could pay for extra accounts that I needed and other memberships that I wanted. I could make use of several of the paid services that I have been wanting to use for some time. Money, at the time, meant that I could take my business to the next level, even with me involved in it 70% or so less.
I make absolutely no secret here of the fact that as far as my career as an Internet Marketer goes, I am only part way to where I want to be, but I am most of the way. The idea of getting a job to me was merely a way to simply “bridge the gap“, and as a bonus, get some human interaction at the same time, because lets face it… when you first start out working from home, you tend to become a bit of a caveman.
Not just that, but when you work from home, all kinds of resistance factors come into play, and lets face it… this is where we all start from at some point, I think that just about every well known Internet Marketer has video footage buried deep in their YouTube accounts of them broadcasting in their home office or bedroom.
Take my current position as a prime example. I live in a house of three, where the other two work full time jobs earning other people more money than they earn themselves. This is their mindset, so when I am able to sit at home in a beanbag (which I am not afraid to admit that I do sometimes!) and earn a living… well, compared to how they earn a living, they see this as meaning that I have all the time in the world to do all the things that they don’t want to do, because they work long days, and so on – and as we all should know by now, when you are seen to have free time, a ton of stuff gets dumped on your plate.
Not that I don’t blame them of course, I’d be the same if I worked harder than I do now to earn half as much.
This position is not unique to me. This is probably also felt by yourself, and may even bring back shuddering memories from several of the other high profile marketers that I know read this blog on a regular basis.
This is where we all start, and it is also the time in our growing careers in the Internet Marketing space where resistance plays its strongest role. This is make or break stuff people.
Here’s the thing here. Resistance is easily defeated by results.
A story... When picking up my partner from work on the day that I resigned, her boss had a chuckle at the fact that he believed that I wouldn’t last until Christmas, and wanted to know if I had any other job offers. I told him that I dont need to look for work when I earn twice what he does by doing less work than he pretends to do, and answering to less people than he does.
He laughed, proceeded to “not get it”, and walked off dumbfounded.
That felt good. He hasn’t questioned me since.
In leading into the moral of this whole story though, I will say that this does not apply to everyone who is reading this. Some of you are struggling to make even half of your replacement income, so you will still have a lot to answer for.
The option to go back to work will always seem lucrative, as it is stable, and it is guaranteed.
My advice to you is to understand that there is a big difference between going back to work, and making good use of your new skills. In the Internet Marketing space, whether or not you believe it or not, you have some serious skills, and people will pay you for those skills. Speak to an Entrepreneur, advertise on eLance, network with others, or even advertise that you can do work at a cost. It’s better to work in the Internet Marketing space than outside it, because it allows you to be present so you can do the work. Simple.
Regardless of money, if you are not present so that you can do the work, it doesnt matter how many people you hire, or how many services you utilize… your business will not grow. You must be present, and you must resist against the forces that pull you away from it.
Just know that by taking the job that I did, this was the equivalent to admitting defeat to all other forms of resistance that have surrounded me as someone who works at home. I’m not earning enough. I have more time to do other things. Lets not forget the thoughts of those around me too… Now that your’e not working online as much, you can take me places when you should be working. I cant be bothered cleaning tonight, you can do it tomorrow after work.
It is a massive admission of defeat that leaves you open to be trampled, and can be deadly.
I know this. It’s why I stood up, quit, and got back to business.
It’s good to be back. 
Thanks Ryan, I really needed someone else to say it. I too was due to pursue part-time work this November because life as an IM just isn’t paying all the bills.
Viva la resistance!
haha The term “within reason” needs to apply here Zane. The only reason that I felt it reasonable to quit was because I was still able to support myself quite well, but still earning less than when I was working.
It’s always a hell of a feeling to “take the leap”, but at the same time, its all about taking risk within reason.
Good one Ryan,
Sometimes we just have to jump and see what happens. We never make a bad decision, just make the next decision and move forward.
Good luck
Frank
Wise words from a wise man Frank.
First up, Congrats on chucking in the job.
Funny isn’t it how those subtle thoughts push us in a direction that affirms safety or that we can rationalise as being in our best interest. That lizard brain of ours has a lot to answer for.
Nothing left to do now but rock that business! Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your lab. Welcome back!
Cheers Jackie! That lizard brain of ours is indeed a funny thing. Finds unique little ways to catch us off guard. I’m just glad to be back doing what I love.
Loved your post Ryan.
I know your are going to make a huge leap into success.
Thanks Javier, much appreciated. It’s been an awesome adventure thus far, and what’s an adventure without the ups AND downs, hey?
What I’d say is “Live long and prosper.” But do it responsibly and keep it real. Whether you are working for a boss or working for yourself you must get a return on your time. Being your own boss is the only way to go as you get to change and evolve whereas most businesses forget to even think about changing and evolving until its all too late.
Ryan, congrats on a gutsy decision to step out into business ownership – but its where living really takes place.
Cheers Andrew, I’m proud to say that things are on the up. Since parting ways, I’ve just had more drive to get stuff done in the business, and the results are showing.
Sometimes there is a bit of a “grass is greener” thing going on as well, where the idea of that bit of extra cashflow looks worth the hassle of being tied up working on someone elses business.
Everything has a cost and a payoff, and now you know what it is in this particular case. I say good on you for giving it a go and seeing if it would work for or against you. If you hadn’t taken the job, you never would have known.
Agreed. If you’re gonna make it happen, you gotta make it happen. That’s my philosophy. Getting tied up in other peoples business only slows you down, unless your involvement in their business keeps you involved in your area.
For example – I’d highly recommend anyone in a similar situation to first scout out some work with another Internet Marketer, as that keeps them active, in their field, and drives them harder.
G’day Ryan,
I know what you mean and agree in principal – you’ve got to commit to YOUR business.
Sometimes though, working in someone else’s business might be the best thing – you just got to weigh up your own circumstances.
Me, for example, I work 3 days per week, from home for an employer. I get paid very well to do it and it funds my internet marketing business growth – hopefully, there’ll be much more of that this year! I’d love to give it up and fully commit to growing my business, but with a young family and several mortgages to pay – well, it’s the decision I’ve made.
I love reading your stuff, Ryan, it’s thoughtful and honest.
Cheers,
Kaz
You’re absolutely right Kaz. I still to this day to work for other people, but I keep it in the space that I am building my business in. I think that is something that we always have a choice with, it just depends on how hard we are looking for it.
Glad that you love reading my stuff!