So many people I know are working at really crappy jobs and waiting for the right moment to start doing what they love.
In case it isn't clear this is not aimed at people who are happy with their jobs.
I've got news for you there will never be a right moment. If you are making just enough to cover bills and live in poverty how do you expect to have this magical "right moment"? Winning the lottery? Now, let me also say I understand not everyone can just quit their job. You may have to work insane hours by trying to monetize the things you love on your off time. Not ideal but I went to college and worked full time and still worked on my art. It can be done. We are capable of far more than we realize. Heck, I am so disabled I can't leave my home and I am still pushing myself forward financially by monetizing my talents.
Don't listen to all the people telling you it is unrealistic.
Have you heard of people projecting their own issues onto others? That is exactly what is happening with people telling you not to go for your dreams. They gave up on theirs and it probably still eats at them and they no longer believe they can achieve them. They probably mean well. They want to save you from making the same "mistakes" they did but you are not them. You can push harder, you can not give up. Start listening to yourself. Start believing in yourself.
If one route fails change course!
I have tried SO MANY things in the past 5 years of working for myself. Not all of them were winners. Sometimes I had to take on really mind-numbing low paying freelance work to fill in the gaps but I made it work. I am still constantly trying new things. I will never stop trying new things career wise as it's how I get by in life. I adapt, change, grow, learn. You can't let one failed plan get you down. Keep going. Move onto the next thing. Don't dwell on the plans that didn't work.
You may have to make a lot of sacrifices.
You may have less time for socializing. Less time for playing video games. Less time for watching television. You may be working harder than ever and making less money. You may have to cut out your lattes and designer shoes or ...whatever. It will all pay off in the long run. It is said it takes years to get a new business up and running to the point that you are profiting. The hard work happens before the pay-off. So, learn to live frugally. Work harder. Play less and just know that in the future you will be playing harder and working less than all your friends who stayed at their minimum wage jobs.
You've got this.
I have to say this again because it is the main thing holding most people back. You may not believe in yourself. Well, cut it out. You will never succeed with that attitude. Sure, we may all feel that way sometimes but if you let it consume and control you then it's gotten out of hand. I feel that way sometimes but you know what? I tell that voice to shove it and I keep working in spite of my doubts. So fine, if you don't fully believe in yourself YET then just start working anyhow and, in the mean time, try to work on those self-esteem issues. Silence the voices from the past telling you that you won't make it, that it's a pipe dream, that you are being immature. Remember, they are just projecting their failures onto you. Don't become them.
You can do it.
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