I feel unfulfilled at work, but how do I know if I should actually leave or just stick it out?
You have to distinguish between a temporary rut and a higher calling. A rut is often about boredom or hitting a peak in your current role, which might be fixed by a new job or a new project. A higher calling is a deep, persistent misalignment where you feel like your potential is being capped and you are no longer making the impact you were born to make. If it's the latter, it requires a complete shift, not just a band-aid solution.

Everyone tells me I'm crazy for wanting to leave my secure job to start a business. How do I handle the risk?
You mitigate the risk through aggressive preparation. Before you leap, you need to know exactly where you are going and what it will take to sustain yourself. Create a financial buffer (a nest egg), cut unnecessary expenses, and map out the logistics, whether that's hiring staff, acquiring new tech skills, or finding a mentor who has done it before. You don't just jump ship; you build a raft first.

I want to pursue my passion, but I honestly don't have the time with my 9-to-5. What should I do?
We have to be honest about where our time is actually going. If you are going on dates, hanging out at bars, or sleeping in, you are prioritizing comfort over your ambition. The people who successfully transition are the ones willing to work the "5 to 9" after their "9 to 5." You have to carve out the time and be willing to sacrifice leisure temporarily to build the life you want.

Watch the full episode athttps://youtu.be/S3YhCJpJ-As.
read more in THE ASCENT | 037.

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