I’ve been in a bit of a panic lately. I’m only a month away from quitting my job and losing my full-time income.
But while scrambling frantically to replace my full-time income, I came across this great post on Live Your Legend that’s on how to quit your job. To summarize the whole post, the takeaway: do NOTHING immediately after quitting or getting fired. At least for three weeks, according to Scott Dinsmore.
Now, I hadn’t thought about this too much before reading this post. I’d been focused on trying to replace my income right away by taking on more work, which I’m not sure I’d be too happy doing. While I do have thousands in the bank in my quit my job fund, I know I can’t wait until this runs out to bring my income up.
But after reading Scott’s post, why should I just be trying to just go out and make money immediately?
Here are some things to think about before scrambling to replace your income after quitting or losing your job.
Give yourself a break
If you quit because you disliked your job, you need a break. I think the three week period suggested is dead-on. Most of us aren’t going be in financial ruin because of a three week gap.
Instead, plan a retreat or vacation. Scott points out many things you could do, like travel, a meditation retreat, or just start writing. Consider this time a time for inflection. Figure out what you’re really interested in and then decide where you can go next.
Don’t forget to make every day count. It’s easy to be miserable when you have no job and no income. Your life might temporarily feel like it has less purpose and meaning. Even if you feel this way, don’t waste your time sitting on the couch. Do what interests you and what you always hoped you could do if you didn’t have to work a job.
Seriously consider a change
If you hate what you do, why take another job that you might hate? This entirely defeats the purpose of quitting in the first place. Instead, be sure to relax and think it over a bit before immediately jumping into something else. Don’t jump back into the same type of job unless something comes along you can’t pass up because you’re genuinely excited about it (and not just the money or perceived opportunity).
I’ve already been tempted to seek out a full-time job. The money would be awesome and would make the transition easier. But, after stepping back, I’ve decided that I’m not just going to take any job that comes my way.
Don’t act on emotion
I wrote about emotions and money in a post last week, and it’s important to assess that in this case, too. The money isn’t what’s going to make you happy. It’s what you’re doing with your life that will ultimately have the greatest effect.
Be as level-headed as possible about making any important decisions. Don’t just take a job because you feel you desperately need the money or because you’re unhappy being unemployed. Do all you can to ensure the job will make your life better than it is now or was before.
Turn misfortune into opportunity
Remember, changing jobs is a life-changing opportunity. Definitely don’t panic; your life isn’t over.
Pat Flynn famously turned the loss of his job into a remarkable online business. What if Pat went out and grabbed another job right after being laid off? His life would be 100% different. Be sure to think of it as an opportunity and not a loss.
How I’ll quit my job
So what am I going to do? If you’ve read my past post on taking time between jobs, you probably already know it’s something that’s important to me.
For starters, I’ll be traveling around much of the summer. It’s looking like I’ll be hitting the beaches of New England throughout June. I’m then heading to check out Portland, Oregon (a dream for me!) in July for the World Domination Summit. I’m then planning to stay out West until the Financial Bloggers Conference in Dever in September.
Now, I won’t be taking 100% of a vacation during this time, but I definitely won’t be desperately searching for a job this whole time, either. I’ll be working on growing the Money Spruce business, which includes this blog, SEO consulting, and freelance writing. But I’ll be able to work from wherever I choose, which I’m super excited about 🙂
What advice do you have after losing a job or quitting?
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photo by: Gary Brownell
I’ve really never quit a job or hated one enough to justify doing so, but I agree – if you have enough money to quit without something lined up, ride the wave for a little while and enjoy it!
@addvodka Yes, if all else fails, it should be a fun experience!
I think the best thing to do you already mentioned, just go out and do things you enjoy. While you are out in the world, interacting, playing and having fun keep your senses heightened. If you work in an office you see the same people everyday, but when you are out and about you meet all different types of people doing different things. Make genuine connections and ask those people about their work and what interess them. Many times people are willing to help you get involved with something they are passionate about if you have an interest. Keep an open mind and soon enough your new path will appear before your eyes. I wish you luck next month, and hit me up when you roll through Denver!
@mooreflow I’ll definitely keep an open mind, Jason! Thanks for the tips, and I hope to see ya in Denver!
I want to encourage you that you can quit your day job and do what you love. It has been a little over a month since I quit my day job and started working online full time – best decision I’ve ever made.
My recommendation would be to take some time each day to dream up new ideas and ways you are going to make a living, and work really hard as well!
You’ll make it! Bravo!
Thanks, John! Glad to hear things are going so well for you! I really like the idea of dreaming up new ideas. I recently read the Accidental Creative, and there’s stuff from that that I definitely want to implement.
I think it’s a good idea to take some time to reassess everything. Decisions based in pure emotion are rarely the wise choices. The other thing I would say is to not harp on it so much, as all that will do is push you into making an irrational decision even quicker. Granted, if the separation comes out of left field, and no contingency plan was in place with no savings, then any advice may as well go right out the window!
@Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity Great points, Eric. I’d definitely like to take some time to reassess myself, but I also want to keep moving forward, too. I’ll have to balance those, but I think it will be all right.
Hey Jeffrey, awesome post! Many people including myself freak out when we start to see our income slipping away. It’s amazing the kind of focus that you can get just from being away from everything for a few days and really consider how you would like to move things forward.
I’ve shared this post with several people who I believe would greatly appreciate it (they’re on the brink of leaving their job and/or just left their current job). Keep up the great blogging!
@truepassiveliving Thanks for sharing and stopping by!
Brilliant post! many people including myself freak out when we start to see our income slipping away. it’s awesome the kind of focus that you can get just from being away from everything for a few days and really consider how you would like to move things forward.
Ahh, once you get to Portlandia, you might never escape!
If you’ve got the money, why not take 3 weeks off to explore the world. Makes sense to me!
Just remember there’s work to be done when you return.
Awesome post! I also would like to share an ebook on the topic. It contains very detailed methods on how to do this as well.
http://abilityuniverse.com/fireyourboss
Very interesting article! I would also like to share an ebook that goes over the same thing in detail:
http://abilityuniverse.com/fireyourboss
Hey awesome article!!! Also check out this ebook. It explains many different methods that you can do the same thing: http://abilityuniverse.com/fireyourboss
Let me know what you think.