I Quit

I Quit

Six weeks ago I quit my job.

We as a society have been conditioned to rely on the employer believing that we, the employee, owe them everything. Our employer provides us a steady paycheck, benefit offerings, structure and stability. And then, if we are really good at our jobs, the occasional pat on the back and maybe some free pizza. We have been indoctrinated into accepting that one-sided employer/employee relationship. In the end, no matter how much you love your job it will never love you back. To put this into business terms…we, the employee, invest our time, our skill, our education, and oftentimes our actual health and wellbeing for very little return. Whereas, from the employer viewpoint, replacing the expendable reaps more profit than changing a negative culture and a toxic environment. It’s a relationship built on imbalance. 

Long before my career breaking point I spent hours reflecting and analyzing all the whats, hows, and whys. The game changer came once I started questioning these ingrained and systemic beliefs. Some of you may be thinking so what…a job is just a job. Some of you may be thinking good for her…do you boo. And some of you might think…yep she has officially lost her damn mind. Truth be told the same thoughts, and then some, have raced through my own head a thousand times. They still do.

For me, and perhaps you have been in a similar situation, the decision to leave my job and the traditional labor market dynamic in general, came down to these key factors. First concern was earning potential. I am many things but a slacker isn’t one of them. I can and will work my ass off. I am dedicated, passionate, and determined. I was quite literally giving away my earning potential to a job that didn’t value it. I wanted to increase my earning potential and I felt now was time that I reap the rewards. It was time for me to see a return on my investment.

Of course I had to consider the risk versus reward. Per the Department of Labor, approximately 20% of small businesses fail in the first year. By the end of the second year 30% of small businesses will have failed. Those are sad statistics. I am a realist and I recognize that failure is a real possibility.  Instead of feeling defeated I accept it. In fact, I embrace it. Failure sucks but it teaches us valuable lessons. Failure also lends to sweeter success. For me, the reward was worth the risk. Check back in with me after year one and two for an update on that stance.

Living a life with little regret played a role. At 46 years old I knew that if I didn’t take a chance on myself now I never would. Keeping my integrity intact is important. I had grown quite jaded with my employer and my career situation. In my soap business I constantly promote self-care. I talk about authenticity and being true to oneself. I tell people life is short, go ahead and use the pretty soap. Essentially I encourage my base to be the best versions of themselves, to love themselves, to find joy and happiness in the small things, and never settle for less than. Who am I, this big hypocrite, not adhering to my own damn mission statement. It was time I listened to my own bullshit.

Lastly, I am blessed with the biggest and baddest cheer squad. If you follow any of my social media accounts you will see the love and support afforded to me and my little soap show. If you don’t follow me on any social media you are totally missing out. I do make a fool of myself at least 3 times a week. My tribe, as I like to call them, has a crazy amount of faith in me. It is through their support that I am bold and confident. It is through their love that I find courage to live outside my comfort zone. I realized that the best way to honor my tribe was to see myself the way they see me.

Today it is those whats, hows, and whys that got me here...a fully self employed business owner. My career is just beginning.

Six weeks ago I quit my job.


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