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So You Wanna Quit Your Job But Haven’t Won The Lottery

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Whenever I tell people that I am “retired”, I get the same response, “It must be nice”. Most of the time I know their statement is sarcastic in nature and rooted in curiosity. I usually will follow-up with how and why I quit my job over five years ago but I can tell they are not listening by the glazed over look in their eyes. Especially if I explain “that you too can quit your job.”

The perception is that I am rolling in money. In fact, I am not. We went from a two full-time income family to one and believe me, we feel it at times. Yes, money is a huge factor in having the opportunity and means to quit your job but I believe that in order to successfully transition away from traditional employment, you must possess 3 qualities.

Hint: Extreme hate for one’s job is not enough.

3 Must Have Traits You Need To Possess To Fulfill Your Dream And Quit Your Job

 

1. Passion

The ultimate focus of not working for “the man” should be a goal or purpose. If you simply enjoy sitting at home watching TV and eating bonbons, you will never sustain the will and stamina to make it without a steady pay check.

You must have passion. And it has to run much deeper than “I like gardening, travelling or want to start my own business, etc.”. Your thirst must be an absolutely, all-consuming desire to follow your passion. You must be willing to put that one aspiration above your other lifestyle choices.

The same can be said for a new mother that wishes to become a stay at home mom and not return to work. The focus of being there for your child everyday must be strong enough to curtail any roadblocks that will take away from the goal.

If you don’t have a passion in your life, I urge you to go out and try new things right now. Find out what would proffer you happiness to do everyday for the rest of your life.

 

2. Strong decision-making skills

Once you make the determination to quit your job, you will be faced with many more decisions. You have to become extremely radical in being able to decipher between your needs and your wants.

Initially, and maybe for the remainder of your life, you will be faced with a huge decrease in income. If you can not give up some of the frills in your life, your passion is not strong enough.

Believe it or not but cable, cell phone, new gadgets, cars, take out dinners, size of your accommodations, etc. are all wants. You do not need them to survive. If these things fall into the need column for you, again, you are not passionate enough about your focus. If you were, it would be easy to choose the passion over the things.

 

3. Persistence

Decisions are empty without action. You must cut and eliminate those wants. It is extremely hard. Believe me I know. But you must be persistent in your follow thru.

You will have good days when it is easy and bad days when you fall off the wagon, so to speak. Don’t beat yourself up about it but get back on track as quickly as you can.

Bottom line, it always comes back to passion. It IS the foundation that builds your success. I have met people who will live like paupers to stay at home with their children, write a book or be able to travel. Find your passion.

It is amazing how passion (#1), can make decisions easier (#2) and fuel your follow thru(#3).

I understand that for many of you, not having enough money even for the necessities, stops you from being able to quit your job. I realize that. You can, however, start the process.

Find your passion, make choices, follow thru and eliminate things now while you are still working. Start a side hustle, pay down that debt, save some money, plan and take steps towards your goal of quitting your job.

Do you have a passion? What are you willing to give up today so that you can quit your job tomorrow?

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Terri Kemp

Sunday 7th of February 2021

Elena, you are reading my mind! I am yearning to quit and willing to sacrifice but I think it is the guilt of putting the family through sacrifices that keeps me from jumping in. I would do it in a heartbeat. I am praying that God's plan is for me to be able to quit this year.

Terri aka MidlifewithSweetT

Elena Peters

Sunday 7th of February 2021

It is a hard decision when you have to consider others. I totally understand. I hope His plan aligns with yours this year!

Bethany @ Happily Loco

Sunday 31st of January 2021

I absolutely detested my last two teaching jobs, and I thought that I would be happier working from home, life coaching. I started out with a side hustle, but I found that being self-employed was not for me at all! I loved working with clients, but I could not stand the marketing. In the end, I quit my teaching job anyway and worked other jobs for 2 years while I figured out what I wanted to do. I ended up finding a new teaching position that was exactly what I wanted, in a school that was better than I thought I could get into. Someday retirement will happen, but for now I am following my passion! :-)

Heather Keet

Friday 9th of October 2015

I'm so glad I found this, I am actually quitting my job and next week is my final week. The Hubster and I recently purchased a very affordable home, and very small based on the looks my friends give us. But we'd rather live within our one income means in order for me to follow my passion for writing. I have all three traits you mentioned and that is a small bit of relief to the negative nelly riding on my left shoulder.

Elena

Saturday 10th of October 2015

It sounds like you have set yourself up for the best results. I wish you great success!

leannelc

Sunday 23rd of August 2015

This is all so true - I think society tells us we need way more than we do to have a nice life. Once the kids are gone and the mortgage is under control we really need very little to keep the wolves from the door. I'm loving not working as much and having more time to breathe. ~ Leanne

Roxanne Jones

Tuesday 11th of August 2015

What great, practical advice! I went out on my own 20 years ago and have never looked back. Not sure I consciously embodied these three traits when I left my corporate job but, in retrospect, can understand that they're what enabled me to be successfully self-employed for this long. I'm looking forward to your next post with the how-to!

Elena

Friday 14th of August 2015

I am so glad you were successful. You are proof that it can be done. Thank you for visiting and commenting!

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