One common reaction I hear is, “Michelle, you were just lucky. Your situation isn’t realistic for most people.”
Someone even tweeted me yesterday saying they enjoyed my story but felt it wasn’t realistic for them.
A friend recently told me she hated her job and was going through a quarter-life crisis. She was torn between staying in a stable but stressful job and finally pursuing something she truly wanted to try.
One of my main recommendations for anyone who wants to pursue a job they prefer is to work toward greater financial stability.
Financial stability makes the whole process easier because you won’t have to worry about money as much, freeing you to focus on other parts of your life. For many people, becoming financially stable makes getting—or keeping—the job they want far more attainable.
First, let’s be clear about what I mean.
The job you want doesn’t have to be your ultimate passion or “dream job.” It can simply be a position that reduces stress and gives you the time and energy to live the life you want outside work—spending time with family, traveling, or pursuing hobbies, for instance.
Not everyone wants to merge passion and career, and that’s perfectly fine.
Still, nobody should have to completely dislike their job or life. If you spend a quarter of your waking hours at work, you should at least find aspects of it tolerable or fulfilling. There are always ways to improve your situation.
It won’t always be easy.
I say this often: worthwhile goals rarely come without effort.
An achievement isn’t much of a goal if it requires no real work to reach.
Before I left my day job, I was extremely busy—working full-time while carrying a full course load in high school, college, and graduate school. It was hard, but it paid off.
You may need to put in long hours early on, take on side work, sacrifice social time, or make other short-term adjustments. It all comes down to keeping your focus on the end goal.
Related article: How I’m a Work-Life Balancing Master.
Trim your budget.
If you don’t have a budget, start one now.
If leaving your current job feels risky, examine your expenses to see what you can reduce. Consider a temporary “bare-bones” budget that eliminates nonessential spending so you can reach your goals faster.
Related article: 6 Ways To Be More Frugal and Save Thousands.
Eliminate debt.
Many people remain in jobs they dislike because they feel obligated to cover debt payments. The solution is to create a plan and work to pay it off.
I know this is easier said than done, but start taking action now. Set a repayment strategy, chip away at balances, and aim to live debt-free as soon as feasible.
Build an emergency fund.
I’m a strong advocate for a well-funded emergency cushion. We’ve always maintained one, and the peace of mind it provides is invaluable.
An emergency fund gives me confidence in my business because I know a large unexpected expense or a slow month won’t force me to abandon my goals.
When unexpected costs arise, you don’t want the stress of figuring out how to cover them or the temptation to rely on high-interest credit that can lead to long-term financial strain.
Develop side income.
For many people, additional income streams make the difference between staying trapped in a job and pursuing new opportunities. This could mean part-time work, a side hustle, or passive income sources.
I built side income for years, which helped me quickly pay down debt and eventually leave a job I disliked to pursue my own business full-time. It was difficult at first, but it paid off and remains one of my best decisions.
Related page: Extra Income.
Maintain insurance coverage.
This may sound like an advertisement, but it’s practical advice: maintaining insurance—car, home, health, and other relevant policies—supports long-term stability.
Some people drop insurance when money is tight, only to find themselves exposed when disaster strikes. Having coverage prevents a single event from derailing your finances.
I’ve heard stories of families who stopped paying required local fees or insurance and, when disaster hit, faced dire consequences. Being insured protects both your financial foundation and your peace of mind.