Everybody on Twitter seems be hating on 9-5 to go full indie. It is reliving to see so many people willing to start their business because they hate their job. I didn't like mine either.

I am a big advocate of completely owning your business and your professional life, but there is also another side of the coin that people should talk about.

If you want to leave your 9-5 after reading those X rhetoric, and those big MRR numbers posted every second on your timeline...that put a mental pressure disguised as confidence on you to take immediate actions, know this...what you read there are the minority ones.

Most people struggle to make a dime overnight. Those big MRR numbers went through many failed projects, lots of sleepless nights, silent cries and what not.

So while getting motivated seeing those green charts is good, don't let that motivation turn into an overconfidence.

Ditching 9-5 with the "expert" advice of a 20 year old "guru" who claims to make you a millionaire "if you buy his course" is illusionary. Many of them don't know a sh*t about life.

Such impulsive decisions are not only risky, but outright foolish, more so if you have responsibilities —— a relationship or kids or have some other priorities in life that only you know about.

So next time you read some 20 year old "brand building expert" Twitter guru saying these things, block them immediately. For Good.

On a contrary take, your 9-5 could give you life lessons that might help you in your business ventures when you start one.

And what is my authority to say that?

Well...I've lived that life for ~6 years before I quit to own a business.

And what are those "life lessons"? You might ask.

Here are the important ones. There are more, but I don't want to lengthen this email.

Networking

People tend to get attracted towards people with similar stories. And when you are working in a 9-5, your peers would mostly be similar as you. This means you learn how to talk to people, how to make friendships and networking in general. This type of networking goes a long way.

My previous colleagues from my job still contact me when there is some project they think I might do well.

Needless to reiterate how networking is important for a business.

Co-Learning

Not all in your job are at same competency level. There will be cases when you know more about something, less about something else and nothing about something other else.

That means you teach others your strengths and learn from them to improve on your weaknesses. An undeclared exchange of knowledge without hesitation.

Experience

When you are working in a job, you are into so many things at a time in addition to the actual work.

There are verbal fights, internal politics, bitching for promotions, insults from superiors without fault and appreciation from the boss for your honesty.

You might also get promotions if you are lucky :) The crux is you get to meet many kinds of brains the world has. And you will know who you want to be like and who should be waved from a distance.

Persuasion

Whichever service sector you are in, you've to convince your bosses. You've to show your superiors that you are working and that you are working better than the rest.

And when you have to do this everyday, you learn the art of convincing people with your words. A very important part of marketing and sales.

Plus if your job itself is in marketing and sales and chasing targets...you are going to be unstoppable. You can literally play with words to sell a comb to a bald man.

Avoidance

As much as you know what things you like, you also know what you hate. When you start your business, you'll consciously tend to avoid the things that you hated in your job.

You'll make sure that your employees don't face the same issues that you faced. You will try to control office politics. You will try to make your company a better working place.

A complete perspective shift towards people.

But I want to leave my 9-5 and you are telling me to continue living in this litter? You might be thinking.

No. I am not. I just want you to plan it before getting out of that mess.

This is what I did and trust me on this.

I feel lucky that my now late uncle once stopped me from doing those same silly mistakes that I wrote above and taught me the better way of doing it (in that sequence).

Talk to your family

This is the most important thing you should do. Even if it's your job, your family is dependent on you. Don't let your decision of leaving your job be a shocker.

Talk to them. I am sure they will be totally supportive of you when you decide to take that life changing decision.

Plan your resignation

Check your bank balance and understand how much of a runway you have. If it's anything less than one year, reconsider your options.

Believe me when I say that. There is no bad feeling other than regretting after submitting your resignation.

Start your work as a side business

Whether you are going to build next tech SaaS or a fashion eCommerce, or something else, try to start your business during your 9-5 after your work hours.

Put extra hours, sleep late if you need to and start completing small goals. This gives you confidence to take better decisions.

Only when you are sure that your side business is generating enough to make you ramen profitable, heads up.

Inform your employer

You don't want to be in the bad books of your current employer. Understand, you are running away from the job, not from people. Therefore make sure you make the best of your connections from your existing employer.

Why make enemies when friendship is an option?

Notify them prior and serve whatever notice period you are obliged to serve.

Remember your superiors and subordinates should miss you after you leave. Be an asset that people crave for.

Go full time

You know what you need to do. So go for it. It's your time now.

Ready to ditch your 9-5? start the planning 👏🏻.

Hit me on Twitter or connect with me on Discord for a coffee chat.

Happy Weekend and See you soon 🫡

~ Anshul