Taking The Plunge… I Am FREE!
Author’s Note: I wrote this post on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Something I couldn’t publish right then, but had to get down “on paper” to be sure I remembered my thought process. I hope it will help some of you reading, who might be going through a similar dilemma - wondering if or when it’s time to take the freelance / solo plunge. As of the time of publishing this post, everything is official - I am FREE!
Times They Are A-Changing
Big, big changes have been in the works! I am almost completely FREE!
I just finished drafting my resignation letter for my full time job of over 9 years. Yes, that’s right, I’m going to be taking the “freelance plunge” - 2 more weeks before I officially go solo and can call myself a self-employed entrepreneur.
This is something I’ve been looking forward to for such a long time now! Anyone who knows me knows of the insane hours I’ve been keeping - working 60-70 hours a week, with not more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night. All to juggle working a full time job, running my own web design business part time, and not to mention that thing called having a life - which in my case is heavily centered around an almost 3 year old.
What Made Me Decide It Was Time?
Let me tell you… this didn’t come without a LOT of preparation and thought. My poor husband has had to deal with the worst of it, LOL. My friends and family, and even general acquaintances have been so incredibly supportive. You know who you are, if you’re reading this!
My AH-HA Moment
I had my “AH-HA” moment last weekend - the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was playing outside with my daughter in the sandbox, while sitting in a lawn chair right beside her. Watching and hearing her play… looking up at the clouds floating and birds flying by in the sky… hearing the relaxing sound of wind rustling through the palm trees… watching the squirrels playing (and napping) in the trees…
A combination of things in that single moment, made me realize THIS is what it’s all about.
My husband and I moved here a few years ago - we had this house built on the lot that we picked (much more bang for your buck than where we were previously renting an apartment). It finally hit me that we moved to be in this beautiful place - to enjoy each other and our house and our lives - now with a beautiful baby girl… ok, toddler - she’s NOT a baby anymore!
In The Blink Of An Eye
I realize these last few years living here - especially since my daughter was born - have literally flown past me in the blink of an eye. This year in particular has gone by so quickly! And what was I doing? Instead of enjoying the back yard on a regular basis, I was couped up inside this office. Missing out on her growing up - missing out on LIFE!
Now, I must say that I do work from home, and it’s something I am so incredibly grateful for! I have been able to witness so many of my daughter’s “first’s” - her first smile, first bath, first time rolling over, first time crawling, first time walking… heck, even the first time she tried to get something from her Daddy (chocolate covered raisins), and then came to ask me when he said no! Where did she learn to do THAT so quickly! LOL
It’s a lot of the little things, too. Working so much now, I am constantly tired and stressed - thinking of work. So even when I’m with them now, my mind is still at least half on work, if not completely checked-out and wishing I were asleep.
But WHEN?
I had been flip flopping for the longest time, as to if or when I should take the plunge. My initial plan was to wait until the end of the year to make the big move.
I worked my butt off this year, though, and much to my surprise and joy, I realized I had reached a point where I could take the solo plunge much sooner, rather than later. Amazing! I’ve been astonished, to tell you the truth.
But is it safe? How do you know it’s time to leave a steady paycheck for something more? Well, you don’t…
I recently read an interview by Akemi with Naomi of Itty Biz. I’ve hired Naomi twice already, with some more stuff in the works! Anyway, a few weeks ago, I read an amazing interview titled “I Can’t Not Do This” - All I could say is WOW! It’s like she was talking right to me!
You’re Never 100% Ready
To quote my favorite part of the interview…
Any advice for people who dream to have
their own business and yet find it hard
to make the leap?Make the leap before you’re totally ready. I read in a magazine once that you should never be 100% ready to have kids. If you think you’re 100% ready, you’re missing something. I think the same thing applies to business. If you wait until you’re 100% ready, you’ll be dead before you launch. Be 80% ready. Do the best you can and just go for it…
Jump and the net will appear.
Something about this quote really struck a nerve with me. I literally have the quote up on my bulletin board as inspiration!
When my husband and I were deciding when to have kids, I had said to myself that I was not 100% ready… I don’t think you truly can be! You just have to decide when you are “ready enough” and trust that the rest (knowledge of parenting at that point… running a successful business now…) will come naturally!
Well, this is a similarly life changing event, just in terms of career rather than family - although in actuality, they do all connect as part of the circle of life…
First Things First
So, here I am, on a Saturday night. Planning on a big conversation that’s about to take place at work. Not one I’m particularly looking forward to, I admit. But the outcome of which, is something that I’ve been dreaming about for such a long time now!
It’s time to put me and my family first. I deserve this! I’ve worked hard, and I deserve to be successful.
I’m so ready for this move, and can’t wait to start this new phase of my life.
I hope you’ll join me for the ride! 
Author’s Note: I can’t end this post without linking to the great article that Naomi just published yesterday with some amazing advice on starting a home business. THANK YOU, Naomi! You made my day with your post, and to be honest I even welled up reading it. Thank you for Everything!
