Quitting My Job

[datangeL82]

So, I am quitting my job against all conventional wisdom. It is burning me out and is causing 80% of the troubles in my life. I am hoping that I can get my muse up and running all the while looking for a part-time job that will cover my basic expenses and such. I am scared out of my mind but I know that this is the right thing to do. I mean your job is not supposed to give you hives right? (Mine has.) I found a business mentor to help me out with miscellaneous stuff. Who knows when all is said and done, I may have my braces, a townhouse (I live in a one BR apartment now), a puppy, and maybe even a husband before it is all over. Also, I promised myself that I would go on vacation once I got this thing up and running. Chicago, IL sounds cool. Maybe I can call ahead and get tickets to the Oprah Show or something.

[Thor]

good luck!
ideally try and get the muse going first but if you have to do your other stuff first, then away you go!

:thumbsup:

[final_id]

Congratulations! Though you may never use an internet muse exactly like 4HWW says, to support yourself (though I hope you do, if you find one that works), just taking the first step, and eschewing the conformity-police in the name of living your life, is a major victory.

HOORAH!

:) i like this silly thing ... we congratulate people who leave the workplace ... golly, what IS Human Resources gunna say? :)

[mrhead]

Your job gave you hives? How does that happen? I'll be the first to say that I've quit many jobs when I felt they either weren't worth my time/troubles or new that I was going down a dead-end road. My last job was the first one I haven't quit, but got fired, and it's turning out to have been for the better....I just happened upon the four hour workweek the day after getting canned.

Good luck and remember, it's the journey not the destination; who am I kidding the destination will be great too.

-mrhead

[datangeL82]

Hives occur sometimes when people are under stress. I found this out the hard way. Stress causes other stuff, like I am losing weight because of it and sleeping less at night as well. But you know what they say ... You can never be too rich or too thin!

[mrhead]

So they warn you when you're working too hard, they help you lose weight, and they allow you to sleep less? I think I found my next muse.

"Miracles Hives Pill, get the power of the hive in you."

-mrhead

[ctboss]

Hives occur sometimes when people are under stress. I found this out the hard way. Stress causes other stuff, like I am losing weight because of it and sleeping less at night as well. But you know what they say ... You can never be too rich or too thin!

I always wonder what my years in the restaurant industry have caused me. With all of the long hours and large amounts of alcohol and caffeine consumed it can't be good.

I don't sleep well at all when my job is very stressful either.

[final_id]

I wish I lost weight when I didn't have time, or got too much stress from emotional issues at the job. I tend to eat "nice" meals to console myself, so I gain a little weight when I'm under stress. I'm still looking for that ideal weight-loss regiment. So far, getting serious influenza has worked the best for me of all the options I've tried.

:)

[webgal]

I'm so type A. When I get stressed I drop weight fast. And I run harder to help balance it. I will also grind my teeth though and have to wear a night guard. I'm not a worrier but I do get overwhelmed.

I have heard of people getting hives, breakouts, all sorts of things. However, it might be better to find another job until your idea takes hold. It doesn't always happen right away and in the meantime you're unemployed with no insurance (if you live in the U.S.) Perhaps the mere thought that you will leave gracefully yet gleefully might be just the ticket to relieve some of that stress. You will need funds to live and to get your idea started.

[datangeL82]

I am searching for another job at present and as far as insurance and money I don't leave the company until March 14. I have some interviews lined up and in the mean time I am finishing up some wrap up work at work. I have some ideas but I am still testing them and finding a temp job with my skill set should not be hard. I have an interview next week as software developer and my credentials are impeccable. I am confident that something will materialize in the next 8 weeks. My current job will pay me for the last two weeks as well as two more because I was not paid for the first two weeks that I was employed and my vacation time has not been used. So we will see. I am optimistic.

[webgal]

Good. That's a positive step. Stomping out and burning a bridge can come back to haunt you. You're simply moving forward.

[final_id]

I dunno ... I've gotten pretty far on the burnt bridges theory, m'self.

[mad111]

I'm in somewhat of a similar boat. I'm in a job that I've been in for 10 years now and have grown to loathe. It truly drains the life out of me, despite paying a good low- to mid-six-figure income. But it requires high motivation, major productivity and 60-plus-hour weeks (including work that often has to be done in the evenings and on weekends). I read the 4HWW a few months ago (Thanksgiving time), and plan on re-reading it shortly just to get my head into the nitty-gritty details more.

The BIG problem is that, though I have what is probably a very viable muse idea, given my current workload from my life-sapping job, I DON'T HAVE TIME to even READ what I need to read in order to plan on starting my new business/muse, nevermind having time to actually set up a test muse, etc., etc.! It's killing me!

So the reality I've come to accept is that I'm going to have to just cut the cord soon and quit my job. Then maybe I'll take a couple months to travel, catch my breath and enjoy life, and then FINALLY be able to focus on building my 4HWW-inspired future. I have about $500,000 saved up, I'm single, so I don't have major financial responsibilities (though I live in NYC, which ain't cheap, but I rent, so no huge mortgage).

PLEASE tell me I'm not crazy! I really think now that the only way to change my life is to take that radical step.

Am I insane? Guidance needed!

Thanks. :)

[mrhead]

mad111 - I'll try to say this without offending you, or anyone else..."I don't have time" is typically nothing more than an excuse, caused by the deadly disease excusitis. Have a look at Dr. David Schwartz book "The power of thinking big" (one of the books recommended by tim in 4hww). He covers this and many other similar excuses people often use because they are either too set in their ways or too fearful of making a major change, or whatever reasons we come up with for ourselves on a daily basis.

What I would recommend for yourself and anyone else who doesn't have enough time is make a time budget. Just like you [should] have a budget for your money, you [should] have a budget for your time, because similar to money, it is a limited asset. Write down everything you spend time doing in an average week, start with what is required(sleeping, showering, church, working, driving to work, etc), then add the secondary items(time with family, watching tv, taking naps, etc), then add everything else. What you define as your primary, secondary and tertiary items is completely up to you so don't be constrained by what I've put here.

After you have done that, add up all the time and subtract it from 168(24 hours times 7 days) which is your extra time. Then figure out where you can "weed out" some additional extra time by getting rid of things you don't need to do, or things you do too much of. That's my advice. I'm sure you or someone else will read this once and simply reply: "But I work two jobs, I'm a full time student, I have a wife and three kids, and I'm the pastor of three different churches" or some similar non-sense that you believe is taking up 100% of your time. Well honestly I know your excuse as I have made up plenty for years so I don't wanna hear it. Either read my advice and blow it off, or do it. Don't waste your time responding with more excuses as that's counterproductive for both of us(think 80/20).

Oh and by the way, you're not crazy, you're human. Good luck.

-mrhead

[datangeL82]

To Madd111,

I live in Northern Virginia which is also very expensive and I totally understand. My job didn't really give me much time work on my muse. I have since started it, but I need to finish it up. I am creating a product using guidelines in the book. Never knew I was an expert until I read this book. Anyway, I am in the process of forming an LLC and this week, probably tonight, I will purchase a web domain and start testing the muse which I am sure will sell well. Its needed in my niche and I got the idea from people in my niche asking me questions about it. I can write the webpage myself as I am gifted with computers and coding and I think that I can have it up and running by the time that my LLC has been formed April 7th. Its a big step and I need to figure out what I want to do after it is up and running. This is so unconventional, but I am willing to take a risk to make it work.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

[webgal]

To Madd111,

I live in Northern Virginia which is also very expensive and I totally understand. My job didn't really give me much time work on my muse.

That's because if you live in N. Virginia you are fighting DC traffic. It is BRUTAL and all the water and bridges around this area funnel traffic. I feel for you. I'm further south so it's not overtaken us yet.

[final_id]

You're not crazy. :)

No, you may actually be able to find time around your current 60-hour job -- especially if you enter in a compact with the devil, or endanger your health, or forgo such little things as eating or coming to the 4HWW forum ... -- but the fact is you won't ENJOY finding that tme. Sure, we can ALL cram cram cram a LOT more productivity into our days. But at some point it's not worth becoming speed-demon-machines. Our work's quality suffers; our superiors or colleagues see us as slip-shod; our sense of self-respect dwindles; our sense of relaxation disappears; our capacity to be "sane" to our friends and loved ones also disappears. There's "finding time" and then there's "making time" and sometimes either one takes its toll.

Get your shoooot together and be READY to quit when you quit. But, do quit.

[mad111]

Thanks all for your input so far.

FinalID, I think you hit it on the head in terms of trying to stuff further things into your day/night to wear yourself weary when . . . you're already worn weary. Yes, I can always find the occasional extra 20 minutes here or there if I take out the occasional spot of relaxation, but with zero relaxation activity, on top of my current lifestyle . . . I essentially die. I'm incredibly sleep-deprived as it is.

But I take the original point to heart as well and am indeed trying to find a bit more time to squeeze planning my muse/new life in, I'm just not expecting much from those few "found" minutes here and there, realistically.

Thanks for backing me up, though, on it not being a crazy idea to need -- like my life depends on it -- to just kick this job to the curb at some point.

[nightowl]

mad111
I completely relate and understand.
I was in a similar boat, so here's my two cents!
There is one more step between choosing to stay or choosing to go.

One night, get a notepad (and a glass of wine or two)

This will sound kind of fru-fru, but there is a point at the end of this message.

Part 1:

Write down all the tasks that you do at work. Every single one you can think of.
Now imagine you are the master of your own time. Forget about your boss and the corporate office.
How can you automate each of these tasks? I'm not talking about time management, I'm talking about eliminating the operational bull, and not having to show your face at certain times
What tasks can you use a VA to do (with a little training)?
How can you structure your tasks so that they are due on a certain day of the week or month?
What are all the things that you can't stand about the job.
What are some of the perks that you like?Part 2:

List some of the things that you make you happy. The foods you like to eat, the shows or games that you would like to go to. The friends you love to see. The health you want to have, the relationships you want to explore, Etc.
List the things you've always wanted to do or learn but never had the opportunity.
Sketch or cut out really cool pictures of what your year off will be like with an $80k budget. Hammocks in Mexico, Rock Climbing in Australia, Learning Guitar in Argentina, whatever is your thing.
Start making the sketches or dream map real. Search for apartments, search for tutors, if you're thinking of sub-letting your apartment then put an Ad in craigslist and see what kind of bites you get (even if you tell them that circumstances have changed, but you would like to keep their contact info).


Tim's book gives a great scenario where the employee slowly weans the employer to feel comfortable with the employee working only a few days a week.
I can tell that you are beyond that stage and you are have decided to leave
This gives you an incredible negotiating advantage!

Take the info you have from Part I and write your dream contract!
Not one that you think that they will agree to, but one that you would enjoy.
Make this your first muse.
The worst that can happen is they say no, and if they do say no, you have a very exciting adventure to start.
In your contract, you will be an independent contractor, which means that you choose when, where, and how you perform your work. Include all the things you know you can deliver (only you will know you are automating those tasks). Specifically exclude all the things you hate. Including turning up to the office! Anything can be written in a positive light. If you decide to do this I can help you with the wording, as I did this myself. There are a lot of advantages to your employer to outsource this work. And probably the only person they will feel comfortable outsourcing to is you, not a stranger, but you, who has a decade of experience with their company's character.

Know that you can perform this job in two days a week, but don't tell them that, it's none of their business! As an independent contractor it doesn't matter as long as you deliver the clearly defined product.

In Part 1, the third one down, I said to add a certain date to each task. This is for your benefit. You can utilize the 80/20 rule. If you say a budget report will be available on the 15th of every month, that means you only have to do 12 budget reports a year, and they can't harass you about it unless it is the 16th. No stressful meetings. No having to pretend you've already started it on the 12th. Best of all, no spontaneous "status reports", or "updates".

I did this.

So, look at the notes you made above.

Part 1 is to write your perfect contract, aka your first muse.
And part 2 is to have the balls to walk away.

Either way - mad111 wins.

[badhank]

congratulations nighthowl, i was about to skip over ur post for wordiness but im very glad i didnt...

Maybe you should expand your story a little, throw in some links for online invoicing/speadsheet tools, make a dvd of u using the tools and theres another muse for u. I'l pre-order 10 copies right now