At FGCPTM, we understand how important it is for people to have options. Maybe you love your 9-5 job, but you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re working because you want to, not because you have to.
Or maybe you actually do want to leave your 9-5, but you don’t know when to take the leap.
Whichever camp you fall into, I can relate. I stayed at my corporate job for many years longer than I “needed” to, simply because I enjoyed it. But when I did decide it was time to leave, I was able to do so confidently and strategically, because I’d been preparing for years.
There’s never a perfect time to leave your job, and any major life decision comes with some level of risk. But if you’re trying to decide whether or not you’re ready, here are a few signs that the time may be right for you to leave your 9-5.
1. You’ve Hit the Financial Goals You Set for Yourself
In order to successfully transition out of corporate life, it’s important to have a plan in place. This process will look different for everyone, but here are some metrics you may want to consider when determining whether or not you’re financially ready to leave your 9-5:
- Your monthly/yearly expenses
- A clear plan for how you’ll generate income
- The percentage of your monthly income that can be replaced by your current investment portfolio
2. You Find Yourself Longing for Time Off Work
No job is perfect, and it’s normal to have days when you find yourself wishing you were somewhere else. But I do believe that your job should generally be a source of enjoyment and fulfilment.
If you find yourself counting down to the weekend every single week, or you’re always wishing you could take more vacations or skip work to spend time with your friends and family, then that’s probably a sign that you’re ready for a change.
This is when it’s especially powerful to have made your 9-5 optional, because you can leave without worrying about how you’ll put food on the table or cover your monthly expenses.
3. You’re Sacrificing Things that Matter to You
What matters most to you in life? Does your job help you do more of that, or does it hold you back?
Maybe travel is the thing that makes you feel most alive, but you don’t get to do it often because of your work schedule. Or maybe you’ve worked so hard to provide for your family, but you’re constantly having to work overtime instead of spending time with them.
The moment I knew I needed to create options for myself happened when I missed my son’s birthday party for a work obligation. And later, when my father was experiencing health challenges and I wanted to be able to visit him more often, I decided it was finally time to leave my 9-5.
If you’re in a position where work is frequently forcing you to sacrifice the things that are most important to you, it might be time to leave your 9-5. But if you don’t feel that way, that’s OK too! Sometimes the benefits of our jobs outweigh the sacrifices they require. Use this time to create new options for yourself, so that if you do ever decide you want to leave, you’ll be prepared.
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