I got this comment from Sir Joelsuf on YouTube:
“I would actually say that might put someone at a disadvantage, especially since the temptation of giving up location independent income for returning to the 9-5 is really REALLY great. If you are committed to something like running your own business, I say that things will improve way quicker if you just burn the boats, quit that 9-5 and just get obsessed with it.”
“Freelancing/self employment is a lifestyle change not just a career change and that is why most just abandon it and go back to the 9-5 after a year or so instead of taking the 2-3 years of full dedication to actually become established. They aren’t patient or mentally tough enough.”
(This is in response to my advice about freelancing with a full-time job.)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this.
Often, it’s positioned as the ONLY way to go out on your own:
“Burn the boats and sink or swim.”
Here’s the problem with that.
There are real-world consequences. Not everybody’s fresh out of college. Some of us have families and houses and responsibilities we have to meet. So, when we burn the boat, there are others who could drown with us.
That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.
But, the bigger thing…
It’s just not necessary.
Some people see a lion in the woods and they come alive. The adrenaline starts pumping and they feel like they can take on the world. And, they slay the lion with their bare hands. Some people, though…
FREEZE.
Like a deer in headlights.
And, the lion swiftly devours them.
The trick here isn’t a dogmatic “this can only be done ONE way”…
It’s knowing yourself.
And, knowing the advantages and disadvantages. Freelancing WITH a full-time job has advantages (like money you can spend to outsource certain things) and disadvantages. Same with “burning the boats”.
Don’t get caught up in what others are doing.
Know YOU!
Then, be smart about how you transition.
And, if you want some help getting into freelancing, check out the free lessons from my Upwork 101 course at https://johnsfreetuts.com. It’ll show you my strategy for building your profile so you can get work from the start and grow your profile to become of the top freelancers on Upwork.
