Until you have something else that will create a solid revenue stream.
I have read that you should test out your ideas and test the market potential while you still have a job. Theoretically, it makes sense, but I didn’t get it. Until now, that is.
I have a friend who is full of ideas. She will immerse herself into new ventures with full animation. They are all awesome ideas. The only problem? No one is willing to pay for her services. Let’s take a corporate example.
Guy is a go getter. He gets things done. He exceeds every target. Every year. But…he is not a team player. Doesn’t include his peers in critical decision making, and people in his team don’t know what their goals are for the rest of the year.
Sally is also a go getter. She meets her target every year. She is a great team player. She includes all in her decision making, and her team appreciates her coaching and clear communication style. Her customers love her, but they are not able to buy from her because they are small businesses owners.
Guy is in sales. He is the #1 sales lead. Sally is in sales too, but she is only #100.
Who gets promoted? Guy becomes head of sales. But his team suffers from unclear guidelines and effective communication skills.
Corporates, while touting teamwork and communication as critical skillsets, they will promote those that increase sales or reduce costs. They would rather invest money in sales programs, instead of general people skill development.
It seems my friend is going for the latter. Further, she has not gotten paid for her other small ventures in 3 months.
Imagine the stress. Working full time and testing side hustles is stressful. But compared to the stress of no income and no leads, juggling 2 endeavers is better. Why? You have one solid revenue while you develop the unknown. You have 3 options with this scenario: 1. Keep job. 2. Keep job and side hustle. 3. Quit job and do side hustle 100% of the time.
If you had quit to pursue your dreams, you have only one option: make it work.
Of course, the art of war says you must burn your ships so the soldiers have no choice but to win the battle.
But we are not fighting enemies with faces, a battle of skill and commitment between two defined adversaries. One wins. The other loses.
There is no enemy. There is no war. We do not have control over ammunition, vantage points, escape routes, and supply chain.
The market decides everything. The hiring manager must give you the job. Consumers must be willing to pay for your products or services. You can’t force them to do anything. You must be good enough. You must be better than your competition. What you do or think, if it does not match up to market expectations, has no future.
So maybe you shouldn’t burn your ship. You shouldn’t quit your day job. Your day job provides the ammunition, vantage points, escape routes, and supply for your new ventures. Instead of burning your ship, use it to your advantage. It will reduce the sheer panic of making things work (when it won’t) and having to borrow and beg from your family.
It will give you the peace of mind, despite the crazy hours and ongoing frustration of the day to day factory shifts.
Don’t quit your job until you can build another ship of your own colors. It must be ready to sail with your chosen soldiers, provisions, and cash register to collect all that money!