Is there a right time to jump ship on your dreams?
I am a quitter.
In my official bio, it says that I have started and run 7 businesses, all of which have made money. Everyone celebrates that. What no one ever asks is, “What happened to the other 6?”
I quit them.
Did you have an audible gasp? Amy Walker… a quitter? Have I lost your respect for life?
The truth is, all of those businesses were opportunities that came into my life for a season. They trained me, prepared me and got me ready for the next opportunity that came my way.
Some people find an opportunity, it is a perfect fit for them, and they stay for life. Others bounce around unsuccessfully and then find the one. I just consistently upgraded my experience. Every business was more successful than the last.
As someone who has made that change several times. Let me share with you the do’s and don’ts of when to get out of your current business and into a new one.
Don’t: Don’t change businesses because the new one seems easier. Every business had hard parts, they just show up in different places. When you are constantly looking for something easier, you never learn to grow through the hard parts. And when it gets hard, you are on your way out. It doesn’t give you the time you need to build traction and make it work.
Don’t: Don’t leave because you are feeling emotional. Anger, disappointment, hurt feelings, embarrassment, overwhelm, frustration… I’ve felt them all and in all of my businesses. I haven’t found an emotion free business yet. So just because things are looking bad at the moment, doesn’t mean you need to change course. Instead address the current situation so you can have clarity.
Don’t: Don’t leave too soon. There is a lesson and a skill to learn in every business. If you leave before you master it, those areas of weakness and ignorance will follow you into your next venture.
Don’t: Don’t stay out of obligation. You staying in a business just because you feel like you have to, really isn’t helpful to anyone! If you heart really isn’t in it, let’s be honest, neither is your performance.
Do: Do make a change if you find something that is MORE in line with your long term goals and objectives. Even though my business has changed, my goals really haven’t. I look at it as going to the same destination, but upgrading my vehicle. I’ve always done the best I could with what I had available to me. But when something was legitimately a better fit for my talents and desires, I took it.
Do: Follow inspiration. Every one of my career moves has felt very inspired. The inspiration was clear. Opportunities and people showed up at the right moment to help me find the next step. And everything came together beautifully.
Do: Take your time and think seriously about the change. These decisions should never be hasty. I can honestly say I have never regretted one of my business changes. They were never made in the heat of the moment. They were each planned for and well thought out.
Do: If you are going to leave behind your current business and pursue another venture, create we well thought out exit strategy. Are you going to hire out fulfillment of the current business and just take yourself out of the day to day? Can you sell parts of the business? What obligations will you need to fulfill?
I do not believe that I am a quitter! I have worked hard at every business I have been involved with. I’ve made money in each, although some made more and others made less.
If I had been unwilling to change, there is no way I would be where I am today. Every opportunity was an important part of my journey. And even though my vehicle has changed, the destination is still the same. To get more details visit here: http://amywalkerconsulting.com
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