My Decision to Quit My Full-Time Job—Part 3

Recap: I left off after deciding that I would make the leap out on my own in April. For full details, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. 

I'm the kind of person who needs to process all the different aspects of a decision (especially a big decision) to mentally prepare for it. I'm not an impulsive person. I like thinking things through and taking my time to kinda ease my way into things.

So when I decided on April, I needed that time to process everything. As I mentioned in Part 2, I was slightly worried this would be too long. But I set to work preparing. (And honestly, I didn't do as much preparation as I wanted.) The next several months included getting my finances in line (I didn't have any debt but wanted to save some more money and get some big purchases out of the way), strengthening my Zumba business/income, exploring other career opportunities, and increasing my focus on my own business.

If you have read my blog over the last several years (previously at skariann.blogspot.com), you've probably read me mention Ramit Sethi of "I Will Teach You to be Rich." About 3 years ago I purchased his online course called Earn 1K that focuses on helping you building a side income. I started working on several of the exercises through that program to help put me in the right mindset for going out on my own. This included organizing and recognizing exactly what my business service is and who my target audience is. I reached out to potential clients and started building my network of leads.

A major aspect of my final decision to quit dealt with my Zumba business. I love teaching Zumba, and these classes are always the highlight of my day. When I first got started, I had a hard time actually making money from this, and honestly that wasn't my focus. Zumba was a side hobby for me and I never even looked at what it was bringing in financially. As long as I wasn't in the negative, I was fine. But the past year had opened up more and more opportunities that lead me to making money with this fun, little hobby of mine.

During the months leading up to my decision to quit my job, I started weening out the Zumba opportunities that didn't pay out enough to be worth my time. I even started teaching at a new place but had to leave that behind when I didn't get enough support from the owner who brought me on. I had to develop the mindset of being aware of my time and its worth. I also started working at the fantastic new facility in Provo.

I even interviewed for several other positions with various organizations. I knew that I didn't really WANT to postpone my desire to start my own business, but I went through a couple days where I just sent my resume for a dozen job listings. And I was surprised at how big of a response I got. I turned down a couple requests for interviews. I turned down a job offer. Part of me wondered why I had even looked at job listings, but this part of the process was another confirmation that even if everything failed miserably, I could always get another job. The option to go back to a traditional job is always there. 

Then, April came. I mentally pushed my deadline back to the end of April.

May came. May continued. And the end of the month approached. Those I had asked to follow up with me for accountability gently inquired about my plans.

I started feeling the pressure. I NEEDED to do this.

An opportunity came up to sub a Zumba class during the day for a couple weeks. I took it. Another opportunity to sub someone's class starting in a month
during their maternity leave for a couple months came up. I took it. And finally, the opportunity to start teaching Zumba Kids (which I had certified in but never taught) opened. I knew I wanted to do it. Taking on this class would require me to teach 1-2 classes during the day twice a week. This, combined with the other opportunities and my desire to have some resemblance of a life outside of work, was the final push for me to take initiative and move forward on my decision.

I went to talk to my supervisor. This was right around the end of May/beginning of June. I told her about these opportunities and that I felt that I had to take advantage of them. We discussed some options and decided to potential move toward me working part time and bring on someone else part time to eventually take completely over. In my head, I knew this option was a baby step for me to go completely on my own. At this point I was fine with the slow transition. However—and I told her this—if things didn't work out, I knew the alternative was just the kick in the bum I'd need to MAKE me move forward. My supervisor took this part-time option to her boss and a couple days later told me that he didn't think the part-time option would work for my position. I said OK, and we set my last day two weeks out.

Over those two weeks I saw multiple confirmations that I had made the right decision. Opportunities I had previously pursued suddenly showed up in my life again. I was reminded that jobs are jobs. That I am talented, hard-working, and have great experience under my belt. Those types of confirmations are incredibly beneficial in times like this.

I worked hard those last couple weeks to get everything order and leave everything in the best order possible for the next communications director to come along. I helped review resumes and provide feedback after the interviews. I got all my materials together and, while I was sad to leave that great work environment behind, knew that I was making a good decision for me. Even though I was closing a door and jumping out a window, I knew there was a parachute waiting for me. A parachute I had made and prepared for just this scenario. It was waiting for me and all I needed to do was summon some courage, take the leap, and pull the string.

Next came Annesali.

My Decision to Quit My Full-Time Job—Part 2

Please read Part 1 of "My Decision to Quit My Job" series here. I left off when I was in the middle of my MBA application and realized pursuing an MBA was the safe option—for me.

I know, I know. How is getting an MBA safe? MBA programs are challenging, rigorous, expensive, require the sacrifice of time and income, and in today's market, end with no guarantee of a job after graduation.

At this point I was applying for the 2nd time to my alma mater program that I had previously been accepted to. I knew the program. I knew the culture. I was familiar with the experience. I looked into various other programs but didn't find anything that quite spoke to me.

But I know school. I feel safe there. I'm confident of my education abilities. While I know any MBA program would be difficult beyond anything I'd imagine, and I'd probably face new challenges every single day, well I felt prepared for that environment. 

I want an MBA. I really do. But by pursuing that degree right now, I'm once again putting off my desire to start my own business, to do something on my own, to pursue some career goals. (Although I must say that as the same time part of me depresses on the fact that I DON'T have a master's degree yet.) 

I don't know what the next several years of my life will hold. But I do know that whatever I don't do right now is far less likely to happen in the future. And since starting my own business is a riskier choice for me, I thoroughly felt like THAT was the option I had to pursue at this moment. 

After thinking about this decision for a couple weeks and considering how it would affect the various parts of my life, I knew it was the right decision for me. 

Don't get me wrong. I WAS TERRIFIED. But it was the good kind of fear. The kind that pushes you to the edge of your comfort zone and forces you to take a leap that fills you with adrenaline, motivation, and excitement. 

I talked with my family. I told them they needed to hold me to this decision. That they needed to remind me how confident I felt about pursuing this dream of me. And that they need to reassure me of my abilities. 

This was early to mid-January.

My decision was to make the leap in April. Part of me thought this was too long to wait. Part of me wasn't sure it was long enough. But I wanted some time to prepare, to save extra money, to build my Zumba income, to fine-tune what I wanted to do.

Stay tuned for Part 3. 

My Decision to Quit My Full-Time Job—Part 1

Recap: I left my full-time job at the end of June 2013 to pursue my dream and goal to start my own business. Check out my post introducing Annesali here. 

Although I officially made the decision to quit my full-time job in June, the shift going towards that decision started months beforehand. I've already spoken to several people about how and why I made and prepared for this lovely adventure of mine, and I want to share all that information here.

I probably started thinking about moving on in October or November of 2012. I loved my job and the people I worked with but am the type of person who wants to continue to challenge myself and pursue new experiences. As I thought about what I'm passionate about or some of the jobs and opportunities I want to pursue at some point in my life, I realized I was holding myself back from those things.

What are "those things?" Teach journalism. Teach publication design. Teach business communication. Become the next Grammar Girl. Start my own business (HS2College and Annesali). Work with high school students. Speak at a conference. Become a subject expert. Build a name for myself. Earn an MBA. To name a few...

Oh yes. "Earn an MBA."

This option has come up periodically during the last few years. I really do want to have another degree, but it's also something that requires a huge investment of two years and a bit of money as well. I have actually already applied to BYU's program when I desperately needed to leave my last job in 2010ish. I applied VERY LATE in the application process (it's a rolling admissions program) and only was invited in for an interview because I had such a strong application and—this I'm proud of—what my interviewer called the best personal statement essay he'd ever read. Unfortunately at the time, they had already filled all of the openings for the upcoming school year, but I did receive automatic admission for the following year.

Shortly after hearing that news, I still went ahead and worked up the courage to leave my job at a publishing company. At this point, I had been applying for a variety of jobs and pursuing different opportunities. The company culture at that company was not a good fit for me, and staying there was proving to be very toxic for my life. (Think tears of stress and distress every. single. day.) However, I didn't have a clear picture of what to do.

But I quit my job.

Not knowing what I was going to do.

This was my first time actually quitting a job. And it terrified me.

I was still actively applying for positions but decided I could pursue my entrepreneurial dreams if nothing worked out.

The day I put in my notice (two weeks) was actually the same day I applied for the next position I'd accept. I had two weeks of "unemployment"while I interviewed for several positions and ended up with two appealing offers.

Three years later, I again decided to go for my MBA. I started my applications. I asked for recommendations. I started studying for the GMAT again. (I wanted to improve my math to better qualify for some awesome scholarships.)

And that's when I realized pursuing the MBA was the "safe" option for me.

Stay tuned for Part 2. 

3 Things I Love About Life Without a Full-Time Job

I've been thinking all day about what to post. Quite a few ideas have come and gone, and you'll likely see some of those ideas developed in future posts. I want to officially post about what I'm doing in life right now...I've said a little about it and alluded to a lot in my many recent posts, but made no official announcement. So that is my goal to do this week. 

For now, I just need to say that I've had a great day. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my long days since I teach 3 classes on Tuesdays and 4 classes on Thursdays. Sometimes that can seem daunting and draining. Today that was definitely not the case. I'm kinda loving most of life and feel very empowered and motivated. Here are three things I'm loving right now. 

Flexible schedule: Wow, can I say how nice it is not to be glued to a desk from 8 to 5 every day? Not that this is unexpected, but I'm pretty amazed about how rewarding it is to have that kind of flexibility. I'm not doing great at some elements of my schedule (I want to be up by 6 am, possibly at the gym...But I've only come close once), but overall I love how I've been able to spend my time...working on projects, hanging out at the library or other adopted work space, spending an hour at my home for lunch...or hanging around longer for laundry and dishes during the day. It's great. That's all I need to say.

Filling my time with passionate work: I love teaching my Zumba classes and I LOVE that teaching them doesn't wear me out anymore. Sure, I may be teaching more classes now, but I'm not piling them onto a full-time job. My classes always energized me, but my day job always drained me. So after a day at work and teaching maybe 2 class in one day, I would crash at the end of the day. I loved my job, but I needed to fill my time with activities that really energized me. Now I can teach 4 classes in a day and love every minute of it. PLUS, I have the flexibility to use my down time more effectively. (For example, I tote along my laptop to my classes and afterwards I can shower off and set right to work wherever I am.)

Exploring new opportunities: I'm a fan of routine, sure, but there's something about being OUT of a routine that inspires and motivates me. I've already been looking into different opportunities that I would not even be able to consider if I were working fulltime. This experience is a reminder to me to always be exploring new things and going after what I really want to do. I've spent 3 years at each of my last two jobs and could have made a leap a little sooner in each situation. (Again, I want to emphasize that I really do love and appreciate the opportunities I've had. Truly. This last decision was a very difficult one.) 

Today, I'm ended my day working on a contract project. I finished my last class around 7 p.m., showered, made a protein shake, and headed out wearing comfy leggings, my favorite sweater, and sandals. And it was a cool, cloudy (almost rainy) evening—the kind of evening I love.  Now I'll pull out my pink lady apple and laughing cow cheese (they are amazing together) and continue loving my life. 

Highlights from "Working Girl"

Alright, this post is going to wrap up my little series on "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use" by Karen Burns. Click here to find my complete review here, and my post on Working Girl's 10 Best Eternal Truths.)

When writing my review, I typed up some of the amazing parts of the book that really stood out to me. I'd like to share those with you now. These are only a few, small parts, so again, I encourage you to buy the book for yourself.

You WILL Leave Your Job

"Consider this fact: The probability of you leaving any job is precisely 100%. Really. You are positively absolutely going to leave that job, whether you quit, are fired, retire, or die....You are in the driver's seat. Don't be like Working Girl—take control of your life!" (Page 26)

This excerpt reminds me of Careerealism's business-of-one mindset that has really stuck with me since I did a Twitter internship with the company back in 2009. If one idea has stuck with me since then, this is it. 

Security is a Myth

"...there's only one thing you need to know about security, and that is that it doesn't exist. Security is the loosiest and goosiest of feelings. You can feel secure when you're not at all. You can feel insecure when you're really quite safe....Nothing, not hard work, not education, not seniority, not connections—nothing—guarantees your continued employment at a particular company." (Page 46)

Networking is Key; Seek out a Mentor

"Most jobs are not advertised. You find them through contacts....And here's a tip for younger working girls: Aim your calls toward senior executives. They are sometimes willing to help a young person and are at a place in their lives when they may want to mentor. Plus they won't be threatened by your assertiveness." (Pages 92-93)

Strive to Work for a Boss You Respect and Can Learn From

"Hiring Your Boss You can tell a lot about potential bosses at a first meeting. how do they talk and gesture, will they look you in the eye, what does their workspace look like, do they speak well of their employees? You want a boss who will look out for you, who will teach you new things, and who will help you get to where you ultimately want to go." (Popout box on Page 97)

Personality and Office Culture Affect Hiring A LOT

"Jobs don't go to the best candidates. Jobs go to the candidates employers like best. Therefore, your primary task at any interview is to make the employer like you." (Page 103)

Try, Try, and Try Again

"Persistence is the key to living an exceptional life." (Page 172)

Reaching Your Goals Will Be Hard, But Persistence Pays Off

"When people say, 'Be persistent,' what they're really saying is, 'Force yourself to keep trying even when your efforts are failing and—oh, by the way?—we don't care how hard it is.' You will have days, maybe lots of them, when you are ready to give up. Rejection and failure truly suck. There is only one cure. When you are feeling at your lowest, your most miserable, your most defeated, do a tiny little thing that moves you toward your goal. You will correspondingly, feel a tiny bit better. Next step: Do another tiny thing....That's the persistence loop. Action leads to success, which leads to more action. And more success." (Page 173)

Take the Leap, Even When You Don't Feel Ready (You Never Will)

"Imagine the worst possible thing that could happen if you took the risk. Make a plan for dealing with it (you will probably never have to use this plan). Teach yourself to welcome fear as a sign that you're stretching yourself. At one point you will need to stop preparing and start acting, whether you feel ready or not (you won't). Close your eyes and jump." (Page 178)

Know Yourself

"When it comes to jobs, you need to know who you are and what you have to offer." (Page 180)

Working Girl's 10 Best "Eternal Truths"

I hope you are celebrating the day by NOT working on this Fourth of July holiday.

I'll keep this post short and sweet today and continue my unsolicited praise for all things Working Girl.

Here is a short list of Working Girl's 10 Best "Eternal Truths." You can find these truths and more in Karen Burns' book "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use."

Click here if you missed my review.

Working Girl's 10 Best "Eternal Truths"

10. Things seem impossible only until you do them.

9. If you don't ask for something, you will never get it.

8. Make friends before you need them.

7. The farther out of your comfort zone you leap, the more people will step forward to catch you.

6. Authority isn't given to you; it comes from you.

5. It's the stuff you don't do that you regret the most.

4. Believing you know it all is a sure sign of ignorance.

3. How you actually do your work is as important as the actual work you do.

2. Life is supposed to be a little bit dangerous.

1. It's never too late to be the person you were meant to be.

A Review: The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl

Yesterday I started brainstorming about what to write about in today's blog post. (In case you haven't picked up on the trend, I'm trying to post every day.) My eyes wandered to my bookcase, home of some of my favorite books. These books are almost exclusively focused on grammar, careers, journalism, personal finance, design, and fitness. (When I'm interested in something, you know it!)

A clean, pink and white cover caught my eye. Once I opened "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use" by Karen Burns, I knew I'd found the topic for today's post. I did NOT know it would also inspire the four other posts bouncing around in my brain. That's inspiration for ya. 

I won this book in a Twitter contest back in July 2009. Yes, that is almost exactly four years ago. Check out this excerpt from my post giving a shout out to the author.

Recently I’ve LOVED learning more about @workinggirl, aka Karen Burns. I’ve been following her tweets and two weeks ago won her Twitter contest for a FREE copy of her book, “The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl.” And I’m absolutely loving reading it.(I’m hoping to finish soon, but my free time has gotten away from me recently.) Not only does she offer practical career advice (derived from personal experiences from 59 different jobs) but she’s created this amazingly cute, girly, witty and sassy brand surrounding the entire product. (I love the polka dots, pink, and little cartoons, as well as the fun atmosphere it all creates.)

I planned to write up all my thoughts, but, um, that never happened. Well, I might not be timely, but, dang it, I follow through! Eventually...

Does anyone else have books that look like this after one read? (Yes, those sticky tabs are from four years ago.)

Let me say this first: I love this book. Seriously. If my many, many tabs don't show how much fantastic stuff Karen Burns covers, let me tell you that she presents great career—and life—advice in a way that is real, relatable, fun, and informative. As I reviewed the book again, I honestly think it was written specifically for me today. I also think it was written specifically for the me four years ago. While I'm typing up some of my favorite excerpts, I'm blown away how much this book speaks to me. I'm almost to the point where I'm typing entire pages. A book that offers that much great content is exactly the kind of book I want to read.

I'll share some of my favorite highlights here, but I definitely think you should read this book for yourselves. And, even better, you can get it for a penny on Amazon. That's a deal, folks.

The book is based on the author's work experience (59 jobs ya'll!), and shares hard-earned wisdom that women everywhere can benefit from. The three sections (Clueless, Confident, and Carefree) are made up of chapters, each presenting a specific lesson learned at one of Working Girl's jobs. (I would have loved to be in the editing sessions to fine tune this book.)

The chapters are dotted with job survival tips, "eternal truths," do's & don'ts, various exercises, doodled charts and tables, and tons of cute illustrations. It's the kind of book that allows you to jump from section to section, following the career path you most relate to and the advice you most need.

Working Girl talks about the myth of security in a job and why she turned down an offer to stay on "permanately" after a holiday temp job. She shares tips on maintaining a good relationship with a boss, i.e. "managing your boss." She shares her experience walking away from a "respectable and okay-paying PR manager job and boarding a plane to Paris, where she had no job."

Whether you are looking to discover your true path (Page 252), quit a job with class (Page 130), measure your success (Page 236), learn to be lucky (Page 250), or take a career leap (Page 176), this book has something for you. Check out a few sample chapters here.

And all this fantastic content is also presented in a way that inspires Karianne the writer, the gal who wants to write a book of her own. I'm telling you, this kind of inspiring content is priceless. (I might be Working Girl's prime audience.) To avoid rambling on for much longer, I'm stopping now, but come back later this week for posts sharing "Working Girl's 10 Best 'Eternal Truths'" and my top excerpts from the book.

I'll leave you with just one highlight:

"A huge sign that you've found your true calling is that you are little bit afraid of it....At the same time, your true calling feels very right. It seems comfortable and inevitable. You don't mind the risks and problems, you make any sacrifices with joy, you are filled with energy." (Page 234)