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. 

Motivation Monday: Dream Beautiful Dreams

I'm a fan of the word "dream." (You may have noticed.) It's a word that inspires hope and faith for better things to come. It's a word that encourages me to reach, jump, and leap for things currently out of my reach. It's a word that brings me happiness for where I am in my life and where I know I can someday be. It's a word that motivates me to work.

The word nerd in me looks to the definition:

• a visionary creation of the imagination
• something notable for its beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality
• a strongly desired goal or purpose
• something that fully satisfies a wish

I think a lot about my dreams. Doing so actually puts a smile on my face. Having big dreams gives me confidence in who I am and what I'm capable of. I love living with a mindset that inspires me to dream—that is probably when I am the happiest. 

Starting my own business has been a dream of mine for a long time. I've mentioned it from time to time on my blog in the past. The last I could remember was when I started teaching Zumba and mention both Annesali Communications (the business I'm starting now) and HS2College (still not in the works).

I also wrote a post in 2009 called "It Never Gets Easier Than Now" about lessons I learned from the book "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind." I shared this excerpt: 

Starting your own business"For those that want to, there’s nothing like learning by doing–and if you fail, what’s the worst that can happen at our age? You don’t lose your house or wife and kids. You go and…get a regular job. You can always go to the corporate world. Going the entrepreneurial route gets harder and harder." 

My business is just one of my many dreams. But I'm excited to WORK on this now. Today I share a quote from Spencer W. Kimball: "Dream beautiful dreams and then work to make those dreams come true."

So continue dreaming. Don't settle for the standard quo. Embrace what seems to be the impossible...anything IS possible. And work, work, work.