A few months ago I decided to quit my 9-5 job. Tomorrow is my last day.

So, what next?

It doesn’t matter!

“What do you mean you’re not looking for a job?!”
I was chatting with a friend today who will also be moving on from her 9-5 job. Why? Has she found another job? No. Is she at an age where she can officially retire? Not even close. She’s taking time off to spend time with her family, reflect, and open her mind to the world. We were talking about the looks of confusion see receives when she tells people this.

Society has shaped our minds to feel like our shoulders should be raised with stress all the time, that our Outlook calendars should dictate how we spend our time, and that we should remain stationary in front of a computer for the better part of the day from Monday to Friday. Only if you do these things can you feel satisfied with your level of productivity and self-worth.

I think entrepreneurs are outcasts when it comes to these beliefs. I had the opportunity start my own business while I was still a student and hail from a family of business owners. Upon two other entrepreneurial ventures I experimented with as a student (that didn’t quite lift off) and then graduation, I felt I needed to get a “job” like everyone else. So, I did. A great one, actually…

After working more than 150 hours/week for months as an entrepreneur, employee at a retail store, summer intern with the government, and student (all at the same time!), I embarked upon a new adventure: the corporate world – the 38-hour work-week where I would be able to apply my knowledge of intern’l trade, marketing, and leadership. It was different. Upon two and a half years of working away in corporate marketing, I’ve met great people, worked on challenging project, and had great laughs. Even while working my 9-5 job, on the side, I built a couple of other start-ups just for fun. I have come to understand that if entrepreneurship is in your DNA, it’s impossible to live a “normal” life. Only other beings of this species seem to comprehend.

Only you determine your worth

You can choose to take the stairs, elevator, enjoy the beauty of the site from the ground, or just walk-by ignoring the site with all your attention focussed on typing an e-mail reply on your mobile device.

Many folks asked me why I can’t continue to build ideas on the side, while continuing my 9-5. I then ask them: “If you decided to build a business and knew that it would bring you fulfillment, after a lot of hard work that you would enjoy, would you work in a job that you were not passionate for?” Confidence is king. As I was flipping channels a few years ago, I stopped on an interview with Oprah, I remember her asking the audience to: imagine the world in their minds and picture their position in it – their projection of this world in their minds is the first step in making it a reality. Whether it’s accumulating monetary wealth, the contentment that comes from doing something you enjoy, or the optimal health that can be achieved through the state of being satisfied in the inner mind and spirit.

Reach for the sky, Esha

Copyright © Esha Abrol. Canada. May 2012