How did you know when it was time to leave your 9 to 5 to focus on your business full-time?

This is a continuation of the previous post Leaving Your 9 to 5. If you are thinking about taking that leap, here are nine things to consider beforehand.

• Create a realistic plan with multiple versions. I seriously wrote out a plan A- E. I considered all my what if situations. My plan E involves going back to corporate full time. It’s only a few months in and I’m still on plan A.
• Create a financial plan. My financial plan is similar to my realistic plan but it focuses solely on money. I looked at all my savings, IRA and 401K plan. My savings would get me started. I also decided I was willing to tap into my IRA and 401K if needed. I feel that strongly about what I’m doing. Consider both your business expenses and your personal living expenses. I made the conscious decision not to downgrade my life at this time. I believe that my future earning will allow me to maintain my same lifestyle. Of course, I have to cut back on shopping and dining out but I’m ok with that.
• Create a spiritual and/or self-care plan. Consider how will you connect with your inner self when times get tough. Entrepreneurship requires courage and self-motivation. Start to surround yourself with the things that will feed your spirituality. We all have different belief systems so there is no one size fits all. Even if you do not believe in a higher power, surround yourself with things that motivate you.  Keep handy anything that brings you peace and allows you to find clarity.
• Put yourself in the rooms with other entrepreneurs. You need to surround yourself with like-minded people. In my experience entrepreneurs are the most supportive. It’s like you are joining a community and they are all giving you that nod of approval.  You will learn from some and others you will teach. Know that at some point it will be your turn to pass the torch to the ones coming behind you so learn all you can.
• Ask questions about other people’s journeys. I personally do not want to learn the hard way on every aspect of entrepreneurship.  There will be some challenges that are specific to you, your energy and your industry. For everything else learn quickly from other people’ mistakes. Find inspiration in their journey’s.
• Identify your support team.  There are people who will support you to the ends of the earth with no questions asked. There are people in your life that will challenge you to be the best version of yourself. Then there is everyone else. Identify who is who and if for any reason you are lacking a support team this is your opportunity to create one. We are born into a family but we all come here with a tribe. It’s time to find your tribe.
• Become aware of your inner critic and be able to identify it when it shows up. Your inner critic can take many forms get to know him or her. Be vigilant and wary of the messages he/she brings. Find the tools to face your inner critic.
• Know that at any time, you can make another decision. We are never stuck and we have choices. At any point in this journey, it is your right to make another decision. Usually, the only people questioning your decision-making are the people sitting on the sidelines anyway so why are you listening to them? Thank them for their service and send them on their way. Then refer back to your plan A- E and adjust it according to what’s in your own best interest.
• Trust your process. Your experience is unique to you and will be determined by the summation of your thoughts, words, and actions. On your journey, others on similar journeys will be revealed to you. We are always in the right place at the right time.

It’s a lot of planning but it’s necessary to think of all areas that might impact you on the front end.  This is my list but evaluate and add to it as you see fit. Good luck.

Peace and Blessings

How did you know when it was time to leave your 9 to 5 to focus on your business full-time?

I hear this question very often. It’s amazing to me to hear entrepreneurs tell prospective entrepreneurs not to leave their job. Maybe I’m too new in the game to understand. However, I don’t think there is a one size fits all response. The decision to leave your 9 to 5 is very personal and each person’s journey will be different. To date, I’ve only heard one entrepreneur say trust your instincts. This lady was one of five panelists at an event I attended.  The other four warned against it but she smiled and shrugged then shared her story.  She worked in corporate for nine months then one day fate stepped in and she never looked back.

I understand why entrepreneurs warn against it. Starting a business requires money and often times the first five years may require out-of-pocket funding. In addition to funding your business,  you have to be able to maintain your lifestyle and keep a roof over your head. It might be a little hard to concentrate and allow your creativity to flow if you don’t know when your next check will come. Your other option is to trust completely and tap into your spirituality which is a feat in itself.

Trusting requires courage, knowledge, and patience. It is no cake walk. There are days when my inner critic steps forward and I have to regroup physically, mentally and spiritually. I’m getting pretty good at confronting my inner critic but it too is a learning process. Every time I hear her, I entrench myself in positive affirmations to that all is possible through prayer and meditation. I’ve pulled out all the tools that got me here. The road is not always easy but it is my job to feed my mind and surround my life with the things that empower me. I attend a lot of empowerment events and each time I gain more inspiration which drives me to stay the course. Some days you can’t see the light st the end of the tunnel or hear your higher guidance. Those are the days you have to seek what you need and remind yourself why you chose this path. No one can really tell you when is the perfect time especially without knowing your journey. Some entrepreneurs will make your question about them.  It might have taken them years to take that step or get their business off the ground but only you and the power you believe in can guide you on what’s best for you.

This is a two-part series so stay tuned for my follow-up a list of 9 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your 9 to 5.

Peace and Blessings

Source: Tiffanie Luellen: Left Corporate America and Became a Certified Yoga Instructor

I’m learning how to work effectively on the go.  I spend a lot of time in my car going from class to appointment to an event. My hours get sketchy based on my schedule but the in between work still needs to be done. My in between work includes everything from checking emails,  recording expenses, returning calls, following up on leads or looking for creative spaces to host my classes. I’m actually writing this while sitting in traffic.

I’m a fan of 90s hip hop and I never fully understood the concept of selling CDs out the trunk until now.  This was an artistic way of describing the life of a mobile entrepreneur.  These entrepreneurs had to travel to be heard.  They couldn’t wait for an opportunity to show up at their door.  They had to go out and find opportunity. Their vehicle became their office or an extension of their workspace. Symbolically your car is a natural extension of who you are at the moment.  It is a reflection of how you get from place to place. Metaphorically not only does it reveal how you are moving through life but it also reveals the direction you are taking.  Ironically I like my car I feel like it represents agility, strength, and power. I started to put in the car everything I would essentially need to run my business from behind the wheel.  I have yoga supplies, extra heels, suit jackets, workout clothes, car snacks, water, extra phone chargers, plenty of books, pens, and paper. There is nothing worse than getting across town and realizing you have to head back before intended. Also, some appointments end early or get canceled but it might not be feasible to travel from the area if you have other appointments in that same vicinity.  It’s easier just to park somewhere and work on what you can from where you are. My car is not only my workspace but also my central access point. I can unplug from the world and take a few moments to meditate.

What I learned is your workplace is where ever you are.  Working in my car is no different than working from the office or working remotely. I find my solace in my mini office. My life can exist from the trunk of my car.  I create my life where I need to. I am a mobile entrepreneur.

Peace and Blessings

I attended a series of events on Day 7.  The first was the Atlanta Women’s Expo and the second was Quiet Thoughts on a Canvas.  The expo was a big event with rows and rows of vendors.  I wasn’t a fan of the crowd. Everyone seemed to be walking on top of each other.  The overall flow of the event was ok but half of the vendors seemed disengaged and just sat at stared back into the crowds. It took about an hour to get from one end to the next. I didn’t spend much time checking in with myself I was mainly trying to get from one end to the other to get a feel for if this could be a potential avenue for me to use at a later date.  The only thing I could think to say when asked was that it was clean. Needless to say I probably won’t be back to the event.  It didn’t leave any kind of impression for me to reflect on.

The second event was a mental health awareness event which I thought was a great topic.  This was a live painting event where five local artist created a canvas in reference to a mental health issue many people face today.  The artists focused on a specific topic and worked to create their version of it on canvas. The topics ranged from depression to schizophrenia.  I honestly thought it would be a great event to network at because there are a series of mindfulness techniques that deal with depression, anxiety and stress reduction. What I teach is definitely not meant to replace anyone’s medical needs but rather to enhance and complement. There was also a live singer and vendors.  The vibration of the room was very laid back.  There seemed to be a little cloud and not everyone looked upbeat.  The hostess was great, she walked around consistently to chat with people.  However, the actual attendees seemed a lot more reserved and just kind of there. I loved the concept but just couldn’t get a good feel for the room so I left within the first hour.

What I learned was that a great concept means nothing if the crowd isn’t that into it. I struggle with critiquing other people’s ideas and events because I never want to be that person.  I feel like people get enough negative responses in everyday life so I’d like to be the one to bring a little light to the subject or find the good in the experience. I think it takes a lot of courage to create and host these events so to flip things around in the coming weeks I’ll be asking organizers and host for feedback on their events.  I think this will give a little more insight into how it works on the other side.

Peace and Blessings

The fifth and sixth days consisted of an intimate follow up meetings and a new networking genre. Lately I’ve come across quite a few people who want to hear my story. They want to know how I got started and how I made my final decision to walk in my purpose.  I thought it would be pretty cool to create a book about my story and the lives of several other people who have walked this path before me. I’ve strategically chosen a list of people and stories that inspire and motivate me. I had my first meeting with an individual that falls in this category.  She has an amazing story and talked a lot about the legacy she is creating for her family.  She was warm and very transparent. Her authenticity became apparent from her first words and smile. I agreed with her philosophy on life, relationships and entrepreneurship.  Our meeting went very well. 

My time as a panelists from last weeks networking event actually sparked what is now another new chapter in my life. For the first time in my life I want to talk and I want others to hear what I have to say.  I’ve always been reserved and in the background but I think I discovered a new element in my purpose. 

The new element is directly related to the throat chakra of speaking my truth.  The throat chakra is one of seven subtle energy portals that exist around the body.  This chakra in throat area directly impacts our communication.  An open throat chakra means you are able to communicate effectively without fear of judgment or fear of being misunderstood. A blocked chakra means we are unable to express our true thoughts or we are holding back from telling others are true needs and desires. I spent a lot of time working on my throat chakra over the last few years because I grew up in a ‘child should be seen and not heard’ house.  Therefore writing and journalizing was my outlet. Public speaking not only pushes me out of my comfort zone but it also creates new possibilities. No longer would I have to only express my thoughts though writing. I now want to shout them to the world.  I now have something to say. 

I decided to join a group geared toward public speaking to get me prepared. The members in the room come from various backgrounds. Some had specific events they want to focus on while others attended to just increase their overall confidence and technical skills. The group was fun and energetic. We started with icebreakers and finished with listening to a variety of interesting topics. Everyone was warm and inviting. I walked away knowing I would return because there was much for me to learn. 

I learned that since I have more time to be creative, people and opportunities to further my purpose seem to be appearing much quicker.  I am developing and improving what already lived inside of me. When you are following your purpose you are also a vessel that spirit can use to reach others. It takes more than one day or one person to change the world, rather it takes a collective consciousness to move all things forward. 

Peace and Blessings