I quit a well-paying, full-time consulting arrangement to start my own business. I quit because that gig was full-time, and it would have crippled my ability to try to start a new business, even though I could have used the money. Although it may not have looked like it, I pretty much up and quit my games biz too by stopping all new game development and discontinuing all active marketing. However, I still kept the Dexterity web site running while starting StevePavlina.com because I could maintain some of its cashflow on just an hour or two per week, so it never interfered with the new path. Even so, the business was basically coasting to a stop, and the income dropped quite a bit before the transition.
If you're stuck in a full-time job, for most people I think it's best to up and quit. Otherwise your job will suck away far too much time and energy, not to mention the fact that it will reinforce your old identity for 40 hours or more every week. That's a killer.
Some people are able to make a real commitment to a new career while still holding onto their old jobs, but that seems to be the more difficult path and often takes years. It's hard to stay motivated to work on your new career after you've already worked full-time. Most people can't do it.
Saying "I quit" may seem harder, but I think it's much easier in the long run. |