Wishing to be an entrepreneur? These steps can help that dream come true.
Tuning into a workshop with Jen Shultz of The Non Nine-to-Five is inspiring, even if you aren’t planning to quit your job and become a full-time entrepreneur tomorrow….or the day after that, either.
In a workshop earlier this month, the former Young Women’s Alliance member gave insight and steps on how to “quit your job, stand on your own two feet, and find your purpose as a non-nine-to-fiver.”
Shultz explained that, while on the surface a job can sometimes look like it’s just something you do to get your paycheck and health insurance, it is so much more than that. It’s a big, often emotional, aspect of your life.
Many people want to move out of their traditional job and put their time towards building the business they dream of, but the fear can be paralyzing. That’s understandable! But, says Shultz, “The way to get over the fear is to take the actions.”
Three steps towards becoming an entrepreneur
There are six steps to living the “Non-Nine-to-Five Way,” getting out of the 9-5 grind, and getting on the path to become an entrepreneur. Here are three, in no particular order:
Find your Non-Nine-to-Five purpose
You have a purpose, and you have expertise. It’s all a matter of discovering what that is. This step takes introspection and exploration. Ask yourself questions like;
‘What do I love?’
‘What am I passionate about?’ or
‘What hardships have I overcome that I could help or teach others with?’
For this to work well, write down your questions and their answers. Don’t hold anything back.
Stand on your own two feet
A big part of being a successful entrepreneur and getting out of the nine-to-five world is being able to stand on your own two feet. It’s normal to be afraid of failure, but listen to your intuition.
A common assumption in our society is that having a full time, nine-to-five (or otherwise) job at some company or another is the only way to earn the money we need to survive; to make sure that we have insurance; to be successful. There is nothing wrong with this type of job – but it’s not the only way!
Start by just being willing. Think creatively about what you can (and are willing to) do to generate income. Have faith in yourself and remember that there are many ways to stand on your own.
Quit your job
Now, you’re not by any means expected to just quit without backup. Please don’t! But this step will come at some point, so it’s time to start formulating a plan for when you do choose to quit your nine-to-five.
Your plan needs to be realistic and actionable – and again, it has to be written down! Some helpful questions to ask yourself when thinking this over could be ‘when might I want to leave this job?’ and ‘how will I save the money I need to quit?’
A job is a necessary part of life for most of us, but it should also be something that you can find satisfaction in doing. If you feel that you were meant for more than your current nine-to-five but haven’t known where to start in making the leap into entrepreneurship, listen to your gut. These steps may be an excellent place to help you get started.
YWA members can watch the recorded session by logging into the member portal and visiting the Resources section.
To learn more about Jen and The Non-Nine-to-Five, visit thenonninetofive.com!
