Explore your journey

I’m not against the 9-5 job. I’m against it being the only source of stable income.

I’ve been doing a 9-5 job since 2007 till now expect a short period of 11 months during 2018 when i left my job to start a business.

It's not that I’ve not gotten frustrated with my jobs. In fact, I would say I was part of a 9-5 haters club. I changed jobs earlier every 2nd year. But it didn’t change anything about it.

But hating your job will not solve your problems. Hating your job will not make you special. What will make you different, it what you do about it?

So, I started reading books, questioning my old beliefs and learning new things.

With time I realized that I was not hating my 9-5 job. Actually, I didn’t like a few parts of it like monotonous nature of work, no new learnings, people’s behavior, time management (not being able to utilize my time efficiently) etc.

As soon as i figured out underlying issues and I've started working on the same and soon all the hate faded away. Now, I can easily say that i don’t hate my job. I just don't like some parts of it and i continue to work on those things.

Also, in 2020, I've started writing gratitude logs. I also used to write about being grateful for my job as well apart from other things I’m grateful for. This also helps me to give a feeling that it's not only about the job. It’s complicated. It's also about my dreams, goals, peace of mind etc. as well. In fact, these 15 years of my service in various organizations has made me what I'm today. It has brought to me a vast experience that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

As a part to address one underlying issue, I’ve also started exploring various ideas. Prior to 2020, I didn’t do anything for any extra source of income. Last time when i wanted to do a business, i left my job and did the same. Eventually a single source of income.

I did not even invest in mutual funds, SIP or any kind of equity trading. I’ve started investing in the share market very late.

I wanted to explore my options. Hence, I've started side hustling during my free time. In fact, this writing and social media posts are part of it.

I want no further regrets in my life. So, i do the things that matter to me and simultaneously try to find out the methods to earn an income out of it.

One more way to look at it as Plan B for worst case scenario.

Suppose, you get fired from your job from immediate effect. What would you do in that case? Will you feel paralyzed as it was the only stable source of income for you?

After considering all pros and cons of 9-5, also considering my dreams and goals, i can more convincingly say that... I’m not against 9-5, I’m against it being the only stable source of income.

I can say with my experience of past few years, People overall appreciate entrepreneurship. They understand the struggle and hustle. So, don’t overthink. If you want to do something, do it.

If you’re in a 9-5 and you just don’t like it, here is 4 steps worth considering:

1. Be Grateful for what you have. Be grateful for your current job / source of income

2. Start working slowly in side on your dream /passion projects

3. Make multiple income streams

4. When you can make a living out of your passion projects, you may consider leaving your job to dedicate most of your time to doing the things you love.

Remember, you’re not a machine. You don’t have to go by manual set by others. (That include above 4 steps as well). Start operating in your own fashion.