Chapter 1: Breaking Free from Assumptions

When contemplating a transition from your job to entrepreneurship, it’s common to assume you'll stick with your current field. However, this isn’t a necessity—you have the option to pivot significantly in your career if that’s your desire.

After nearly two decades at a major bank, I decided to leave with a somewhat vague goal of working with animals. Initially, I thought I would continue utilizing my IT skills as I navigated my way through this new aspiration. My intention was to find a way to support myself while figuring out how I could contribute to animal welfare.

Interestingly, many of my former colleagues followed suit a few years later, but they seemed to have a clearer approach. My own departure was driven by a sense of urgency rather than a well-thought-out plan, which I wouldn't recommend to others.

It’s fascinating to note that a few individuals I know shifted from IT careers to become chiropractors, massage therapists, or osteopaths, despite having no prior experience in those areas. What connects these professions is a shared opportunity to make a positive impact on individuals, often in a one-on-one setting.

This notion is important. While working in IT presents intellectual challenges—solving problems through systems analysis and programming—it often lacks the personal fulfillment found in helping others directly. For many in the non-technical sectors of my former workplace, the primary motivation was often financial gain or job security.

However, I believe that around middle age, many begin to yearn for meaningful contributions. My role in IT, largely behind the scenes, never satisfied that urge to help others. Yes, I supported my colleagues by maintaining systems that aided in the company’s profitability, but the connection to the end user felt too distant.

Reflecting on my time as an IT professional, I rarely interacted with customers. The one occasion I did, accompanying a sales manager on client visits, was enlightening and made me appreciate the tangible impact of our work.

Fast forward to 2007, two years post-departure, I found myself working with animals in a way that unexpectedly flourished. I launched a business that aided countless pets, primarily dogs and cats, in avoiding a fatal virus. This venture required substantial learning about the virus, building a complex website, and engaging extensively with customers for both pre-sales inquiries and post-sales support.

The effort was immense, especially during the 24-hour phone support phase, but the fulfillment of saving pets and providing comfort to their owners was invaluable. Despite the challenges, I eventually had to close the business following my wife's passing in 2018, although that wasn’t my sole reason for shutting it down.

Looking back, the work I did genuinely made a difference for both the pets and their families. It underscores a crucial message: when contemplating leaving your job to pursue self-employment, don’t feel confined by your current expertise. You’re free to explore new passions that could allow you to help others directly.

Consider starting a business aligned with your interests. You could become a consultant in your field or venture into something entirely new that excites you. If possible, work on developing your business while still employed, whether through night classes, online courses, or creating a website.

Alternatively, if you can set aside funds to sustain yourself until you acquire necessary certifications or resources for your new venture, that’s also a viable path. I still utilize my IT skills to generate income, but it’s not my sole focus. While I’m not currently working with animals, I’m exploring other avenues to help both animals and humans, the latter being my current passion project.

In fact, initiating a passion project while maintaining a day job can be an excellent way to dip your toes in the water. You can learn website creation, email marketing, and much more without the pressure of relying on it for income. This approach allows you to pursue a dream with less stress and uncertainty.

Chapter 2: Learning from Others' Experiences

The first video, "Build a strong foundation for your startup by testing assumptions first," emphasizes the importance of validating your business ideas before fully committing.

The second video, "Don't Make Assumptions - Takeaways from The Four Agreements," offers insights on avoiding assumptions in various aspects of life and business.