Getting off the hamster wheel mean different things to different people. However, one of the most common is that people want to get out of the 8-5 rut and leave their job. You dream about being able to quit your job and do your own thing but not sure how to.
Everyone’s journey is different but below are the steps I created for my journey.
Step 1: Make a decision to change your life. It all starts with that. Make that decision today! It’s never too late but you need to to want a change in your life.
Step 2: What would you do if you didn’t have to work for money? That’s your passion. Pursue that! And don’t get discouraged if that change, because as you go along you may discover new passions that you want to pursue more than the original one.
Remember, pursuing a dream is scary and will take you out of your comfort zone. Fear, insecurity, feelings of inadequacy are all normal feelings as you start thinking about actually pursuing your dream and passion. Don’t let that stop you. Keep going. No one ever said it would be easy. Only worth it!
Step 3: Get out of debt. Now. As fast as you can so that you are ready to take that leap when time comes. I cannot emphasize this enough. Having that financial freedom allows you to take a few risks, pursue your dream and go for it! When your expenses are minimal you are not slave to a job to make ends meet.
Step 4: How can you make money on your passion? Watch others and what they are doing, do that but make sure to be you! Seek out people doing what you want to do. Read books, follow blogs, listen to podcast, go to seminars, conferences and so on. Ask others that are doing what you want to do for advice. You will be surprised how many are willing to help you succeed. Get a mentor.
Step 5: Test, tweak and practice your ideas. This is a great time to practice and tweak. You have your day job which allows you to experiment. When I started this blog I originally wanted it to be more of a financial site, but it’s turning into more of a “pursue your dream” blog. I have the freedom to experiment and tweak because I’m not under the pressure to have it all figured out overnight.
Step 6: Work hard. Hustle. Set a time frame for when you are making that leap. Prepare. Don’t think you have the time? You do. What you don’t have time for is to wake up one day regretting not living your life doing what matters. Remember, you have the same amount of time as everyone else.
Step 7: Believe in yourself. You can do this! Find support. Distance yourself from the people that are trying to hold you back. Surround yourself with people that inspire you, that believe in your dream and support you.
Step 8: Don’t burn any bridges. Ever. Leave your job on good terms.
Step 9: Promote yourself, like crazy.
Step 10: You are living your dream! Now pay it forward by helping others live their dream. Be a mentor.
Two of the best books I have ever read and are must reads for anyone wanting to pursue their passion and leave their job are No More Mondays: Fire Yourself — and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover Your True Calling at Work and 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller.
Living your life doing what matters and pursuing your calling is not a straight arrow kind of pursuit. It’s more like a roller coaster full of ups and downs. It can be a wild ride but it is worth it, trust me!
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I love to start a conversation about what steps and ideas you have for getting off the hamster wheel. What are some you recommend?
Thank you! This is such a great post, because it delineates the steps to something that most of us probably just dream about doing but can’t pull off because we don’t know how to get there. I would say I am on Step #2 still, but thinking of it as 1/5th of the way there is encouraging and motivating! And I think #1 and #2 is the hardest part 🙂
Thanks! I agree on that step 1 and 2 are probably the hardest because they involve change. And change can be thrilling yet scary. Love that you are on Step 2!
Great post and really like the order dream it ..pay for it then go get it..many people fall short financing their dream therefore remain on the wheel. Also like the last of paying it forward as you more than likely won’t do it alone. Therefore only balanced if you help someone else especially if they can never repay you in kind.
Thanks Charles! Financing a dream is an obstacle for many when really it shouldn’t be. One may not be able to go all out but even baby steps gets you there. I’ve seen people put their dreams on hold for a few thousand dollars. A second job, yard sale, and some hustle can fix that. And agreed, a dream is not realized without the help of many. It takes a community and the best repayment is to pay it forward so others can go from dreaming to living their dream.