10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Quitting Your Job

Admit it? You’ve wondered if you should take the plunge.

You detest working for an unappreciative company every day, you’re un-challenged, and you have no chance of getting promoted, no matter how much you bust your butt.

Maybe it’s time to face the music?

And accept the fact that you’re seriously unhappy in your job, and nothing will change that.

So you can’t help wondering?

Why not do what many others have done before you? Pursue your dream, follow your passion, become an entrepreneur, and be happy?

If the above describes you, then, yes, you should seriously consider that option.

The following 10 questions will help you to get started

1. Do I really want to work for myself?

Is this business or entrepreneurship in general really something you dream about?

Or are you just trying to escape something you don’t like, such as your current boss, your daily commute, or your industry?

If you’re serious about entrepreneurship and following your passion, that’s great. But if you’re just upset with your boss, that is not a good enough reason to quit your job and seek entrepreneurship.

2. Am I willing to lose my significant other and alienate my friends and family?

If your partner, friends, and family are not fully behind your pursuit of entrepreneurship, it will strain these relationships, maybe even end them all together.

If you aren’t willing to go through these changes in your relationships, quitting your job to pursue your dreams might not be for you. If you are, you may find that the new relationships you develop are what you had been yearning for all along.

3. Will I be able to support myself for a year as a Start Up?

The least risky way into entrepreneurship is what Derek Sivers (Founder of CD Baby) calls The Tarzan Technique.

Stay gainfully employed, start your own business as a side hustle, and quit your current job when you can monetize your business.

Like Tarzan swings through the jungle, don’t let go of the old support until you have a firm grip on the new one, and then keep swinging.

4. Am I willing to work 80 hours a week?

Like Lori Greiner said,

“Entrepreneurs are willing to work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours a week.”

Starting your own business means you have to do whatever it takes, and that is not always fun.

You will face long working hours and sleepless nights, but all that you sacrifice now is only to have more of it in the future.

If this is too much of a detriment for you, getting into entrepreneurship might not be for you, so keep your job.

5. Can I live with failure?

Failure is part of the journey to success; just ask any wildly successful person. They have all failed more than once? Nothing to be afraid of.

You might fail, but it’s a chance to learn and just another stepping-stone to your success.

The only real failure is doing nothing simply because you’re too afraid to make a mistake.

After all, what is the worst that can happen? That you may end up exactly where you are right now.
If you cannot live with failure, entrepreneurship is not for you. If you think you can, great.

6. Can job security totally ruin my life?

Many people see staying gainfully employed as a safer choice.

But it’s probably fair to say that if you spend most of your waking hours living in misery in exchange for job security, doing so would ruin your life.

If questionable job security means more to you than pursuing your dream, starting your own business is most likely not a good idea.

7. How disciplined am I?

If you want to be your own boss, you must be able to motivate yourself.

This can be difficult, especially at the beginning when customer demands aren’t yet forcing you to be productive.

If you know you lack discipline, quitting your job to pursue your dreams might not be right for you.

8. Does my passion fulfill a market need?

Breaking free, chasing your dreams, and following your passion can be a fantastic thing to do, but if your passion has to pay your bills, you need to look at it as a business too? Or you will be broke.

Remember, clients spend money on services that fulfill their own desires. You can only be happy and financially successful by following your passion, one that fulfills a need the market has.

If there is no market for what you’re passionate about, you should not quit your job as it will lead to financial disaster.

9. What do I suck at?

There must be some stuff you?re not so good at. So what is it?
Before you jump into entrepreneurship, you must have the skills to make your business a success.

Close your skill gap, and brush up on social media marketing and the latest trends.

Staying current is critical to your success. If you are completely unaware of what you suck at, you are not ready to start a business.

In a twisted way, knowing what is holding you back is your best recipe for success, in almost everything.

10. Are you willing to put your ego aside for your business?

As a young entrepreneur, you must be able to understand and listen to your customers, process feedback, and improve what’s needed, even if it’s very personal.

And despite all the tippy-toe dances, you still have to be the boss.

Make sure your EGO doesn’t get in the way.

It will probably tell you that you know it all (remember #9), kill your objectivity, and give you tunnel vision.

If you can’t control your EGO, you’re not ready for entrepreneurship yet.

What’s the Point?

Do you think you’re ready to quit your job to pursue your dreams, follow your passion, and become a successful entrepreneur?

I’d love to tell you that taking the plunge into entrepreneurship is a breeze.

I’d love to tell you that it’s going to be easy.

I’d love to tell you that you can do it between lunch and dinner.

But you already know that I won’t do that, right?

You have heard dishonest, “How To” advice many times before, but we won’t lie to each other, will we?

Getting out there and creating a future is a big thing, and it’s hard work. But if you answered “yes” to the questions above, it’ll all be worth it in the end.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, don’t procrastinate any longer.

Start now; a life you love awaits you. So hurry up; what are you waiting for?