Three Critical Steps Before You Ditch Your 9-5

Are you considering quitting your full-time job to start your own business? If you're nodding your head right now, then this episode is exactly what you need. Today, I’m going to help you figure out how to take that leap so you don’t spend the rest of your life wondering, “Should I do it? What if I fail?” Or worse, find yourself 30 years from now asking, “What could have been if I’d had the courage to go for it?”

In this episode, I’m going to share the number one thing you need to do to start this journey and keep your momentum going. We’ll go over a powerful mindset exercise to help you stay strong when that little voice in your head tries to knock you off your path. And if you're still unsure about what type of business to start, I’ll walk you through a practical exercise to help you gain clarity on what’s right for you.

Now, I know for most people, the idea of leaving their corporate job doesn’t just happen overnight. It starts as a small seed, maybe planted by a toxic work environment, or perhaps a change in your personal life—like becoming a mom, needing to care for a child with special needs, or wanting to be there for an aging parent. Often, it’s not even about making more money at first. But as you think about it more, the idea of not having a cap on your income starts to become very appealing.

For me, when I left my corporate job, it wasn’t because I had a terrible boss or hated my work environment. In fact, I had a fantastic boss. But I knew I wanted more flexibility to be there for my youngest son, Luca, who has autism. At the time, he was only 9 years old, and I wanted to be more present in his life. That was my turning point.

So, what’s the first step when you decide you’re ready to quit? Set a date. Yes, you heard me right—a date on your calendar. It doesn’t matter when that date is; it could be six months from now or even a year. But you must have a specific date, and you must see it in your calendar every single day.

Why is this so important? Think of it like setting a goal to lose weight. Most people know how many pounds they want to lose, but they don’t set a deadline or create a concrete plan to achieve it. Having a date on your calendar creates urgency. It gives you a rush of adrenaline every time you see it because it makes your decision real. It’s not just a dream or a fleeting thought; it’s a commitment. And that’s the first step to preparing yourself both financially and mentally for the big leap.

The next thing you need to focus on is mindset. Mindset is everything. It’s what keeps you going when you feel defeated or when the going gets tough. About five years ago, I invested in resetting my mindset, and it was a game-changer—not just on a personal level but also as a business owner. It completely transformed how I approach challenges and setbacks.

Here’s what’s going to happen once you set that date: you’ll want to share the news with your close friends or family. And while you might be over the moon with excitement, not everyone will share that feeling. And it’s not because they don’t love you or want the best for you; it’s because they can’t relate. They might hit you with all the "what ifs" you’ve already been battling in your head: “What if you don’t make enough money? What if you fail? What will people think?”

And trust me, those voices get louder when you’re in a senior leadership position and even louder when you’re alone or awake in the middle of the night. People will always have something to say about the economy, the timing, your responsibilities, or your chances of success. And this is exactly why you need the tools to stop those voices from taking up space in your mind rent-free.

So here’s an exercise I want you to try: Name that voice in your head. Yes, you heard me right. Give that little voice a name. For example, my inner critic is named Sarah. Whenever Sarah starts to speak up, I acknowledge her, thank her for her concern, and then firmly tell her to leave—I’ve got this. This exercise might sound simple, but it’s incredibly powerful in helping you recognize and distance yourself from those negative thoughts. It’s about taking control of your narrative and keeping that mental space clear for what really matters—your growth and your goals.

Now, let’s talk about figuring out what type of business to start. This can be the hardest part, especially when you're feeling clueless or just want to escape your current job. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends or chase after what seems flashy on social media. But here’s the reality: passion alone won’t pay the bills. Your business idea needs to be a blend of what you love and what you’re skilled at.

Here’s what I want you to do: grab a piece of paper and draw two columns. In one column, list your passions—what lights you up, what you could talk about or do for hours without getting bored. In the second column, list your skills—what you’re good at, what others come to you for help with. Now, look for the intersections. Where do your passions and skills overlap? This is your sweet spot. This is where you start. Remember, it’s not just about what you love; it’s about what you can sustain and grow as a viable business.

I know this decision isn’t easy. If I had known back then what I know now, I probably wouldn’t have spent over a year and a half just contemplating, stuck in that uncomfortable limbo of indecision. The truth is, the longer you wait, the more you allow fear and doubt to build a nest in your mind. The best advice I can give you today is this: make a decision and take action. There will never be a perfect moment. Life doesn’t come with a pause button; it’s constantly moving, and waiting for the "right time" often means watching time slip away.

You might tell yourself, “I’ll wait until I retire,” or “I’ll wait until the kids are in college,” or any other reason that feels safe and comfortable. But guess what? Time doesn’t wait. Days turn into months, months into years, and before you know it, you're looking back and realizing that nothing changed. And that, my friend, is where dreams go to die—not in failure, but in the silence of inaction.

The hardest part isn't the leap itself; it's the build-up, the anticipation, the "what ifs" that keep you glue to the familiar, even when the familiar no longer serves you. But every moment you delay is a moment you give away to doubt and fear. The worst part? As the years go by, that voice of doubt gets louder. It convinces you that you’re too old, too late, too settled in your ways. Until one day, the only way to quiet that voice is to stay where you are, to bury those dreams under layers of excuses, convincing yourself it’s just too late to change course.

And that, my friend, is a regret I don’t want you to have. The regret of never knowing what could have been. The regret of not bEtting on yourself when you had the chance. So, take the leap. Set the date. Do the mindset work. Discover what lights you up and go after it with everything you’ve got. Because the world needs what only you can offer, and there’s no time like the present to start making your mark.

Remember, you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Just take the first step. Then the next. And the next. It’s in these steps that we find our strength, our resilience, and ultimately, our success. So ask yourself, “At what point do I stop dreaming and start doing?” The answer, I hope, is today.