At what point is it okay to leave your current job in order to pursue your dream career?

Question

I have a really great job that pays very well and allows me to live almost carefree. That's wonderful and many people would love to be in my shoes. The problem is, I don't love what I do. It is not what I wake up and go to sleep thinking about. My true calling and desire in life is to be a writer. At what point do I just step out on faith and pursue my writing full time?

Answer 1

I'd have to agree with what many have said so far - get started now, while you're still working your regular job. You can get started building a name for yourself by writing articles, short stories, mini-reports, and so on.
- build a website that showcases some of your work
- set up a blog, such as through blogcharm, that links to your website - the search engines like this so you will rank slightly higher
- if you're also interested in speaking, start with small groups and talk about the subject of your book. I've had 4 speaking engagements so far, have 2 more lined up, and I haven't even published my book yet (it's coming soon, though, at http://www.thegetajobbook.com)
- post articles and short pieces you've written to sites such as www.goarticles.com - they allow people to distribute articles for free, so it can help get you more well-known if your articles are picked up multiple times - and don't forget to include your name, website, and a brief bio or something at the end.
- if you want to be a bestselling author, you've got to learn some marketing too. writing purists cringe at this sometimes, but there are tons of writers out there and marketing is one of the few skills that will truly help you stand out from the crowd
Following these and other steps will help you get to the point where you can really pursue your dream career and be a thriving artist, not a starving one.
I'd also make sure you have enough money in the bank to cover a year's expenses before you completely sever the umbilical cord to your job - getting published can take time and most authors don't make money with their first several books. Publishing companies lose money on 90% of the books they publish, so if you can self-publish your first book, market it well and show a solid profit, you can negotiate a better package with a publisher for your second book.

Answer 2

U cant just leave your current job without any backup financial source. Work at home after your working hours or during weekend and once everyhing is OK then quit from your current job or you can go for the internet business which require less of your time and the one that will not make you feel headache with web designing or which require IT knowledge. Second, choose the internet based company which offer you the opportunity and at the same time giving you the convenience to start the business where all the things are automated. Third, choose the business which does not require big money to start it. Think again, when you are earning money from the internet, you have the chance to get rid from an income tax.

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Answer 3

When you have an action plan, and enough money to live for 3-6 months without any income. Do your research...what kind of writer do you want to be? If you want to write a book & your job is relatively "carefree," can you start writing in your down time? Or take a creative writing class at night to get you started and give you some material to shop around? Some can, others prefer to cut loose and go for it. But it's smart to be realistic and you'll have a better chance of suceeding by giving yourself the luxury of time.

Answer 4

After You're Published About 10 Times

Answer 5

How about writing in your free time and keeping your job for the moment? Think of it as a second part time job. When you start earning a living as a writer then leave your day job.

Very few people have the luxury of loving their careers. It's sad but true.

Answer 6

Sounds like you have the best of both worlds. Why not jump off writing in your spare time? Personally, I would find leaving this job pretty tough.

If you set aside certain times, and established your writing goals based on those times, could you not get a flavor for whether you can survive doing that?

My problem is, if you were totally passionate and sure about this, you would not post the question.

Answer 7

Great question. As an aspiring writer-wannabe, I think I know where you're coming from.

There are lots of variables to consider, and many of them can only be answered by your own temperament. How comfortable are you "stepping out on faith?" Me, I could never do it until I'd already developed a track record of at least modest writing successes, or had years worth of expenses in the bank to protect me from potential failure. Other people are more willing to live for the moment. I think I have the key: if you're taking the leap with the presumption of great success, without a knot in your stomach, then you're probably overconfident. But if you feel your own uncertainties and doubts, if they keep you up sometimes, but if you're sure you can live with them, you're probably ready.

It may be helpful to treat your life like a business. You have incomes, you have expenses, you're competing in a market that you need to learn to understand, and you have resources that you're going to use to compete.

Let's take the last topic first: when it comes to writing, your primary resources are your own energy, creativity, and talent. That and your trusty computer. And the Internet. But beware the Internet, because while it may help with research, it can also be a huge waste of time. For example, I could be writing the next great novel, but instead I'm answering questions for total strangers. I think I've ended up in a bit of a digression. Sorry.

Anyhow, back to your time and creative energy. You say your job isn't "what you love," but when deciding whether to keep it, I think the most important factor to consider is how it affects your creative energy. If you come home with energy, bubbling with literary ideas that came to you during work, ready to crank out a few pages, then for heaven's sake, don't quit to pursue the dream. You probably won't be much more productive after you quit, and in fact it may become more difficult to write under the pressure of "being a writer."

On the other hand, if you come home with minimal energy, with no new ideas and a brain full of fuzz, then from a business perspective, the job is sapping you of the creative resources you'll need to compete in your new market. If that's the market you really want to be in, then you need to change your working conditions so that you have those energies to expend on your dream career. There are lots of ways to do this, ranging from quitting to scaling back your hours to asking your employer for different responsibilities.

Or you could pile on the extra hours, stash the money in the bank, and quit when you have enough money to pursue writing full time for at least a year or two. The biggest risk there is forgetting your original purpose. Having that much money on hand can be too tempting for many a mere mortal.

Again from a business perspective, your career will also have financial needs. You have to provide for life's necessities. It might even be productive to budget for vacation time, as it can inspire you and help break you out of ruts. But you have to have a practical mindset: when money goes out, it's always a bad thing because it invariably brings you closer to the point where you have to stop writing and start looking for more money to fund your writing. The better you are at controlling your expenses, the longer you can spend pursuing your dreams using a given pile of cash.

Finally, understand the market you're trying to compete in. Hit up everyone you can for ideas about how to live life as the sort of writer you want to become. Especially listen to those who have already achieved some success (read: not me). They can tell you how to market your work, how to get advances, and all the other stuff you'll need to be successful.

If you're looking at your entry into the field of writing from a hard-nosed business perspective, then you'll have a good measure of your potential success. If you feel ready, then you're probably ready.

Here's hoping you find something useful in my ramblings, and that your career is a long and successful one.

Answer 8

As a budding writer, I would write on the side. This way, you're financially secure. Every job is just that, work. Write about work and get it out of your system. You don't have to publish that stuff. Also, what about your job makes you unhappy? Focus on this and decide if it's an ethical consideration or one of convenience.

Answer 9

I think your answer is based on your current financial responsibility, If you have no obligations to anyone and can make the move without worry, chase your dreams. The most successful people are the people that love their careers and life is too short not to love what you do.

Answer 10

Before you give up that job that is paying your bills, be realistic, writer's (starting out) don't make much money. If you can afford it, and your company really likes you- ask for three months off, and see what you can accomplish (writing) during this time..