Quitting Your Job Is Terrible Advice:

The Harsh Reality of Quitting Without a Plan

The day I quit my job, I was nervous.

My heart was racing like a drummer on double time. This was not the first time I quit this job.

I felt a wave of mixed emotions: excitement, anxiety, fear, and joy. But most of all, I felt relieved.

I truly believed, "This is it. Whatever happens, I am going to figure this business thing out."

I now had the time; I just needed to execute.

I thought I had a plan; I had 6 months' savings to live off, and I would look for a part-time job closer to home if things weren't working out.

But the unpredictable happened. A few weeks later, my landlord called and said he needed the studio back.

I had two months to vacate.

The house prices had risen a lot since I started renting, and moving companies and deposits were about to eat up my savings. 

I hadn't planned for this.

Jobs in my area were more challenging to find than I thought.

For the next few months, I was stressed, broke, and scrambling to make money in any way I could. The business I thought would take off… didn’t. My savings dwindled. My excitement turned into panic. I was trying to enjoy my new studio space, but the higher rent was brutal.

Eventually, I had to swallow my pride, tuck my tail between my legs, and ask my old boss for a job.

It was humiliating.

The Silver Lining

But there would be a silver lining for which I've become grateful. I could get part-time work at a branch a 5-minute walk away from my studio. This would turn out to be very beneficial for my mental health.

I could go to work, viewing them as a patron to help fund my dreams. I would work for a few hours a day in exchange for enough money to live and pay for my studio space. 

I wasn't able to save much. However, I still had enough time and energy to work on my business.

Quitting your job doesn't have to be black and white. You can find something in between that will support your dreams.

That being said, it took me years to recover from that mistake. Both emotionally, physically, and financially.

For a long time I was so jaded about having to return to teaching, I couldn't muster any motivation to work on my business,

So when I hear people say, “Just quit your job and go all in!” I squirm. That advice can wreck your life if you’re not financially and strategically prepared.

That's when I realized this wasn't just my problem—so many people fall into the trap of thinking quitting is the ultimate solution without realizing it's often just the start of a new set of problems.

I will show you a better way to quit. But first, let's talk about the reality of this dream.

The Truth About Entrepreneurship

I get it. Your job is sucking the life out of you.

You dream of the day when you can finally give in your notice, walk out, and never look back.

But let’s talk facts.

Roughly 20% of businesses fail within their first year. 50% In the second.

Why?

Poor financial planning.

Insufficient capital.

No marketing strategy.

The people who quit impulsively, hoping their business will somehow ‘work out,’ often end up going back to jobs they hate.

But that’s not going to be you. Today, I’m giving you a roadmap to quit your job strategically—without ending up broke and desperate.

The Two Ways People Quit Their Jobs

There are two common (and dangerous) ways people quit:

1. The “Screw This, I’m Out” Quit – They walk out impulsively, thinking they’ll ‘figure it out.’ A few months later, they’re panicking and scrambling for any job they can find. (I know because this was me)

2. The “Silent Sufferer” Stay – They dream of quitting but never take real action. Five, ten years later, they’re still stuck in the same place, miserable and unfulfilled. (Also me)

Neither of these approaches will get you where you want to go.

Brash impulses or endless hoping and dreaming will keep you stuck in hell.

Instead, you need a structured exit plan that ensures:

• You won’t burn through your savings in a panic.

• You won’t take on random, soul-sucking work to survive.

• You can focus on building your creative business without fear.

To do this, you must be brutally honest about your current situation.

We need to accurately assess where we are and where we want to be to backward engineer a plan.

Being realistic is the best way to get out of your situation. Making a 12-month plan and executing it is way better than not making one and being stuck for another 12 months, or worse, 12 years. You might think that sounds ridiculous, but if you're still in your 20s, you'll be shocked at how fast time starts to pass.

So, without further ado, I will share with you the game plan for finally quitting your job the right way.

All you have to do is spend 5 minutes to fill out the worksheet, and you'll have a blueprint to move confidently into your dream life.

First, read the plan below. Then, fill out the roadmap.

The Phased Exit: A Smarter Way to Quit

Quitting your job isn’t a binary decision. It’s not “I have a job” or “I don’t.” It can be a phased transition.

Phase 1: Side GIg Validation (Still Full-Time)

• Start generating small but steady income from your business.

• Have proof that people will pay for what you do.

• Use your job income to fund your growth.

Phase 2: Part-Time Transition (Cut Down Work Hours)

• Your business income starts covering some of your expenses.

• You negotiate going part-time at your job (or switch to freelance gigs).

• More time = more energy to grow your business.

Phase 3: Full-Time Freedom (Quit With Confidence)

• You’ve saved up at least 12 months of living expenses.

• Your business revenue is stable and growing.

• You've had consistent month-over-month revenue for 6 months.

• You have a clear strategy to keep scaling.

If your job allows it, reduce hours slowly instead of quitting cold turkey. Many companies will let you transition to fewer days per week, buying you time and security. 

Going from 5 days to 3 dramatically improved my mental health, motivation, and clarity.

Why You Need a Safety Net

People underestimate how much stress comes from financial insecurity. When you quit without savings, every decision is driven by fear.

This is why I recommend saving at least one year’s worth of expenses before quitting. (If not more)

Why Save a Year’s Worth of Expenses?

• Mental Freedom – You can create from a place of power, not desperation.

• Cushion for Learning – The first year of business is full of experiments, pivots, and setbacks. A financial cushion gives you breathing room.

• Avoid the Full-Time Freelance Trap – Without savings, you might end up working 80-hour weeks on low-paying gigs to survive, never actually building the business you wanted.

That said, you don’t have to save a full year if you have other safety nets like a part-time job, a supportive partner, or a steady recurring income. (But you must be certain)

The One Thing You Need: A Solid Exit Plan

This is where most people go wrong. They daydream about quitting but never take real steps to make it happen.

So I’ve created The Strategic Exit Plan Worksheet, a step-by-step tool to help you:

✓ Assess your financial situation (so you don’t get blindsided).

✓ Set clear income milestones before quitting.

✓ Strategize your business model for sustainable income.

✓ Create an actual timeline for your transition.

This isn’t just a worksheet—it’s a roadmap to quitting your job the right way.

How to Use the Exit Plan Worksheet

1. Fill it out, honestly. Don’t estimate—use real numbers for income, expenses, and savings.

2. Use it as a roadmap, not just an exercise. This isn’t something you do and throw in a drawer never to see the light of day—it's your blueprint.

3. Set milestones and track progress. This is how you stay accountable.

4. Be realistic about your timeline. A well-planned 12-month exit is more intelligent than a rushed 3-month failure. (Adjust the timeframe as needed for your situation)

Final Thought: Don’t Wait Until You’re Desperate

The worst time to quit is when you’re burned out, broke, and desperate.

Start planning now. Set yourself up for success now.

Once you've filled out the worksheet, write a contract with yourself:

If you’re serious about quitting your job and going full-time on your business—do it the right way.

Download the Exit Plan Worksheet here.