Thursday, July 7, 2011

Exiting the Comfort Zone....Buckle Up

All throughout life, we are instructed to go to university and get a "good job". First off, what defines a good job? 50k? 75k? 100k? What happens when the good job turns out to be bad for you? Where's the section in the handbook that discusses what to do when 9 to 5 is draining the life out of you?

A couple months ago, I left my job. Out of the 3 years I was there, I was only somewhat content for 2 or 3 months....tops. It's funny how God has to force our hands sometimes. He used my boss to ride me like Seabiscuit until had no choice but to leave. He knew otherwise, I would have stayed and lost even more years of my life.

Starting my own company has been fun, exciting, scary, but never frustrating. There are days where I wonder how to make my pitches better, ponder how to get in touch with investors, and debate on whether or not to get an intern. Not once have I thought "you're crazy" or "this will never work". I keep trudging on because no matter how slowly this is going, I'm a lot closer to wealth than I would have ever been at my last gig.

Is it all about wealth? No and yes. Mark 8:36 says what good is for a man to gain the world yet forfeit his soul. However, Ecclesiastes 10:19 tells me that money answers all things. I want to leave wealth behind for my nieces, nephews, little sister, and kids if I ever have any. I want them to pursue any opportunity they like without having to worry about how they are going to pay for it. They are why I work like I do.

Charities need volunteers but they also need money. I want to be able to write checks for causes that are near and dear to me. I want to build schools in my home state. I want to help as many people as I can. I know a $250k goes a lot further than 2 hours baking bread.

Not everyone wants to be their own boss. Some of us don't want the responsibilities that entrepreneurship entails. However, investigate other streams of income. Don't let your 9 - 5 be your only stream. There is no such thing as job security in this day and age. I know there's something you're passionate about. Pursue it...hard. Don't let a job such the life and creativity out of you. Peace.