Not me or Worthing Beach (unfortunately!)
This is pretty hard for me to admit but I may have just made one of the worst decisions of my life!
In fact, now I’m writing about it could be the second worst decision i.e. telling the world about the fact, I may have just made one of the worst decisions of my life!
Some of you know my background. Just a real quick summary for those that don’t:
Worked for 30 years in the corporate world, had a pretty successful career, received some amazing pay rises and just before I gave it all up, I was earning over $250,000 every year.
Then out of the blue, someone said to me, “Have you thought about making a living on-line?”
That was 3 years ago. I worked full-time, long hours and then worked on my own on-line business the evenings and weekends.
Then 6 months or so, ago I gave up the corporate world. I was ready to be a full-time blogger (or Internet thingy person, as I often say!).
Possibly the worst decision of my life!
So what is it?
I’ve kept in contact with several of my ex-work colleagues and one of them rang me recently. He offered me a 3 month contract, working for him…wait for it…for $1500.00 a day.
Yes, $1500.00 a day!
Working 20 days a month, $90,000.00 in 3 months!
That’s a lot of money.
At fist, I was thrilled.
It’s nice to be wanted.
“Let me think about it”, I said, trying to stay calm.
I got back to him and said, “I’m going to have to say ‘no’. Sorry. You see I’m right in the middle of a new blogging course launch and I just can’t stop and put it on hold.”
There was no way I could do both.
You see, I love working for myself. I love knowing I can work when I want to. I love my walks to the coffee shop in the morning. I love coaching and mentoring others about blogging and the internet. I love my afternoons off. I love the freedom.
I have no debts and I easily make enough money to keep me living pretty well.
BUT…I keep thinking “$90,000.00 for 3 months work”
But I’ve made my decision
I’ve now got to ‘get over it’ and go ahead and release my new blogging course.
But that scares me as well!
I’ve still got loads to do but I’m loving the creation side because it revolves around everything I do on-line…blogging, list building, gaining traffic, product creation and launching, copy-writing, outsourcing…all the things I do to make a blog income so I can enjoy my freedom.
And that freedom would have been taken away if I had accepted the role and it’s not just about money is it? It’s having the balance between the two.
I don’t want to say much more about the blogging course as I’m still finalizing things.
Anyhow, I just had to get that ‘off my chest’ and now I’ve told the world I do feel better.
I’m looking forward to the comments on this one – what would have you done? Share your views in the comments below.
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Fair play I say. Would I have done the same thing? If I were not a dad I would have stuck – as you did – with the vision and the creative option. Being a parent to young kids does limit ones options tho and 90k would be hard (or even irresponsible) to snub – that’s the reality. Good luck. Stay true.
Thanks, Conneally. I understand your point about having young kids. Mine are grown up now and work themselves.
Andrew
In leaving behind .25M I would think you had decided. I’ve never thought work was just about money.
Evan,
When I was younger, for me work was just about money. When I was 18 I had a full-time job and 3 part-time jobs. But I was young and “fancy-free” then! Now it’s doing what I love to do and having some freedom.
Andrew
It is your life so you decide what you want and need to do with it. As long as you enjoy what ever you choose, you are in right way.
Thanks, Dana – that’s exactly what helped me make my decision – the ejoyment of what I do.
Andrew
What type of work were you in before you decided to go blogging full-time? Just curious.
Mike,
I joined the IT world almost 30 years ago and just before I decided to leave the corporate world I was “Head of IT” for one of the UK’s largest corporate companies.
Andrew
WOW! I always believe that money will come if you do what you love and love what you do. Although over the last year, I’m beginning to wonder about that.
I would have like to say that I would have done the same thing, but I guess it would depend on whether the work being offered was something I loved to do too. I liked Ms. Freeman’s suggestion, do both with a good assistant. I wonder if I would have even thought to have hired an assistant?
CJ Spurr, what work do you do?
I do like to do the work that was being offered but I LOVE the on-line business work (and freedom).
Andrew
Andrew — I am a freelance writer. Then I branched out into web design and now blogging. I love writing, but in these times that love is reeeeealllyyy being tested. Still trying to figure out WP themes (thankfully I understand web design that helps a lot) and the whole affiliate marketing thing, but hopefully will see some light here soon. Look forward to reading your Incoming Blogging Guide.
CJ Spurr
I know article writers are in big demand at the moment. Consistently writing quality blog posts is hard and the demand for excellent writers is high. Do you do that sort of writing?
Do you have the free Blogging Guide ? It might be worth looking at.
Thanks.
Andrew
Actually yes I got the Blogging Guide, but haven’t had time to go through it yet. Good intentions. 🙂
Have been looking for people who want article writers or ghost bloggers. Haven’t found people who want me yet. ProBlogger.net has a pretty good board, but I guess my background’s not deep enough for most people, but most likely I’m just not that good at selling myself. Always been an issue for me. I just like to write and edit.
I think I’ll go make lunch and read a guide. Thanks.
Cj Spurr
Perhaps you should join the Warrior forum – there are many individuals looking for writers there.
Andrew
That sure was hard. I’m still working for not my self, but I have limited freedom. But I do it because I need money wery much, but If I would know that I could earn enough working on my own, well … I would do the same.
Because why do you need a lot lot lot of money, if you steal time from your closest.
Good luck 2 you 🙂 😀
Thanks Runbay, your comment helps and supports my decision. What work do you do?
Andrew
I would have, hired an assistant taken the three month job, socked away the money and then continued on with the program launch.
Ms. Freeman, I did think about doing that (delaying the launch) but for me it’s not about just the launch – it’s my whole on-line business would have been put on hold (to a certain degree), for 3 months.
Andrew
Hi Andrew!
I really like this ebook , as most of the new bloggers like me will definetly find useful from this.
I am also from one of them who is looking for an good traffic on my blog. Its really having an
good stuff to refer and implement these things on any new blog.
Thanks Andrew once again for such post.
Thanks, Rajendra.
Are you referring to my Income Blogging Guide?
Andrew
I respect you. I love my freedom more than money myself. Though it must have been hard to reject $90,000 or $129,195 USD, for just 3 months worth of work.
I know that you will be happier and that launch will make up for the $90,000 anyway! 🙂
Gerlaine
If the launch gets me anywhere near $90k, I’d be ecstatic. The actual money income may not but the LOVE of the job and the FREEDOM it brings will.
Andrew
I am impressed by people like you. I call it bravery. To answer your question, I know that I would have taken the money.
But I live and work in Stockholm and am not used to those sums in salary;-)
It must feel great though to know that you are still very valuable on the market and if things go bad you have an escape route.
Good luck with your course!
Robert
Thank YOU for those kind words.
I suppose you are right about being valuable on the market – although I don’t think these roles become available very often – especially with that sort of money on offer.
My escape route (to get out of the corporate world) took 2 years of building my on-line business while still working full-time. I worked in the evenings and weekends creating products, blogging etc.
It’s funny – I have never thought of or wanted an escape route back!
Andrew
Andrew,
You made a gutsy move, but in reading your story I’m not sure you could have decided anything else. The decision came from within you, despite the apparent “logic” of the $90k (and rational plans like Ms. Freeman’s excellent advice).
Although in life it’s good to be able to “turn on a dime” it’s also true that the passion you have for your on line work is what is driving you, and is likely the same thing that will make your launch a success!
Joel,
More kind and supportive words – thank YOU!
I hope the launch is a success but I’m also very nervous about it! I’ve still got so much to do.
Andrew
I have completed my Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Course, but there lots of congestion of job in my field for which I start my blogging life, for make some buck.
Although blogging is time consuming I love to blogging and I think it is my perfect work. I will suggest that do what you like to do.
Thanks, Chandan.
Making money via blogging is hard. No doubt about it. My new course is NO ‘silver bullet’ to making an on-line income. It’s a step-by-step approach but there is too much hype around saying do this and earn $thousands overnight. I want to be open and honest with people and say you are going to have to work really hard for at least 6 months before you START to see a decent return. I might lose a few customers/buyers by being honest but that’s the truth for the vast majority of people.
Andrew
WOW Andrew! That was a tough decision, but the truth of the matter is that money really does not buy happiness. You could have been truly “miserable” for 3 months,but instead you will be happy regardless. I applaude you for your courage 🙂
Thanks, Patrenia.
I think you are spot on with your comment, “You could have been truly “miserable” for 3 months”. I think I would’ve been! I would have missed all the little things like getting to work in 10 seconds! Walking to the local coffee shop and reading my emails, going to the gym, going our for lunch with my wife, having afternoons off…the $90k doesn’t make up for that.
I suppose I am in a lucky position. I have worked for 30 years in the corporate world while earning good salaries and can now live on a lot less money that when my children were young, etc. Of course, $90k would be nice – making that sort of money while working from home would be amazing but I’m not there…YET!
Thanks for dropping by and hope to see you again.
Andrew
Interesting Post Andrew,
I know that I have faced similliar situations and did not take the bait. It wasn’t for $30K per month, but I never looked back..
I urge you to look forward as well..
Stay focused.. Now more then ever.. 🙂
But you can give that guy/gal my name & number.. I might be interested in a 3 Month contract.. 🙂
Uri,
Thanks for those supportive words…they mean a lot to me.
Andrew
I am currently in a similar situation although I did take up the offer – but then I have the luxury of doing that since I don’t have a product launch on the go. BUT despite the fact that it pays extremely well, the work is interesting and the people I work with are great, every day that I am working for someone else I just constantly wish the day would end so I can get back to my real passion working online…and that’s not a good way to feel. I am sure you would have felt the same way from what you have said above so you have definitely made the right decision. Fortunately I only have a few weeks to go of this contract and then I am back to working full-time at home…woohoo!!!
Paula,
I definitely would have felt the same way – “just wishing the day would end”…than I would want to work a few hours in the evening…not see the family…not a lot of sleep and start again. The job was not going to be an easy one – very demanding and long hours. That’s not a problem – I love work but there was no way I could do both.
I hope the next few weeks fly-by for you Paula.
Andrew
Yes,maybe you’ve made a wrong decition.But who knows. 🙂
Darni,
Time will tell and I hope I haven’t!
Andrew
Thanks for your Info. I had also faced same circumstances. I had left my job at the time of my exam.
After finished, I started blogging but starting it was difficult to earn money from blogging but after spending few couple of months I was slowly able to earn money from blogging.
Now I am earning more then $2,000/per day from my blog and I am getting so many contract for blogging.
Now I am realizing that I have taken right decision for quieting my job.
Chris
WOW they are serious stats and proof that it can be done. It can be slow to make money but with hard work and consistency…it pays off.
Andrew
You’re a legend!
Thanks partner!
Andrew
You made the right decision by claiming your freedom. Not everyone has that choice to make – some of us have circumstances that won’t allow us to be so bold, but I still dream of the day when I can say “so long!” and blog full time. In time, I do believe that day will come – I’m just getting started good – I see it took you a few years before you made the plunge, so apparently I’ve got to do my time as well. But I commend you for all you do. Time is one resource none of us will ever get back. I await the day when I can take back my time and get myself to the nearest ocean and relax! 🙂
Kiesha
It took me almost 2 years of part-time blogging, etc before I could take the decision to leave the corporate world. Blogging and Internet Marketing is hard work. All those hyped up stories of earning thousands of dollars a day within weeks are just not true….but so many people believe them and give up after a couple of months. Stick with it, keep learning and your day will come.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, Kiesha.
Andrew
Andrew,
You must do what is true to your heart. It’s not worth wondering about the “what ifs”. Good luck to you!
Deb
Thanks, Deb. I may that luck!
Andrew
Congratulations on your courage.
It takes courage to leave the security of the corporate world. Every person who did so had to wrestle with the doubts and the unknown. It helps to focus on what you love and block out what you do not. For example, you wrote:
“You see, I love working for myself. I love knowing I can work when I want to. I love my walks to the coffee shop in the morning. I love coaching and mentoring others about blogging and the internet. I love my afternoons off. I love the freedom. I have no debts and I easily make enough money to keep me living pretty well.”
I admire you for doing what you love, and saying no to what you do not.
Keep up the good work,
Mark
Mark,
Getting that regular check every month is a big reason to stay in the Corporate world.
While working for Corporates many friends left to do what they loved and I was so envious. Some travelled, one opened a skateboarding park, others opening shops, bed & breakfasts, property development.
I honestly thought I would be in the corporate world until I retire.
Then one day someone said to me, “Have you thought about making a living on-line? Write a Management book or something”.
I was a successful IT Manger managing 1000’s of staff. That was the start – almost 3 years ago. That’s when I started my ‘get-out’ plan. The rest is history, so they say.
Thanks for the supportive words, Mark – I really appreciate them.
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
Good move.
What you are building now, won’t stop producing in 3 month. And at the end it adds up.
But you knew that anyway.
Happy 2010.
Yours
John
Thanks, John.
That’s the beauty of Internet Marketing. Create once, sell many! (well hopefully).
Andrew
OK that’screepy, are you sure you didn’t work for an insurance compoany here in the US? LOL.
That’s exactly what the head of IT did at an insurance company a buddy of mine worked for.
Also making a flat fee of 250,000 he simply walked over to Jordan’s (my buddy) desk, said hey man it’s been a blast; I’m outa here.
Apparently he was *on call* and got a little tired of the 3am “paper jam” calls…only slightly exaggerating, but there was other stuff too.
His take on it? The job wasn’t a fluke, his skills were real and he could get another (back then that was more true then now of course) and it would be on his terms.
All in all, good decision, now that the post is done, forget about it and move on. 😉
Dennis,
I did have the “3am paper jam” calls. Well similar – more like the “main frame is down” or “the Head Office phone network is out”. Didn’t happen too often and it was part of the job. I did do a lot of travelling and staying away from home. I would guess, before I left the Corporate world, I stayed in hotels approx 2 nights a week.
I am moving on…I have to…I launch very soon!
Andrew
After reading the headline it really made me wonder what the heck you were talking about. I read quite a few comments here and that in itself helped me look at your situation in a few different ways which actually helped me with my own comment here.
Money is everywhere, I mean everywhere. You look and you usually see money. The economy is bad right now and its our own faults actually. Thing is, if you really want to have money then you can always find a way to make it. I am still working on my blog and hope to earn a living with it in the future myself. I currently do not have another job and I am fine with that.
If you know me you may be wondering how I am living and that is another story in itself.
You had a decision to make based on the amount of work and money (obviously) that you were offered. What it came down to was a quick decision you had to make that would effect you as far as if you were happy, how much time you had to do what you enjoy doing, and yes, how much money you would have.
I didn’t leave the part about money last for no reason.
If you truly enjoy what you do and it’s not making ends meet then yes, you should tough up a bit and take on something to help. However, if you are comfortable with your life and are doing what you love and everything IS working out for you on a stable basis, continue as you see fit. Experiment here and there but if A LOT of money just isn’t in your plans then you should definitely look at that aspect of things.
This is quite a long comment and I’m now going to end it with saying this: Ultimately, if your life is exciting enough to wake up each day and keep striving to do what you love and look for more adventure that the world has to offer, it’s worth doing what you feel you should.
Happy New Year in 2010!
Eric,
I love working on my online business and I really don’t see it as work. I also love being at home for most of the day with my family and having the freedom to do whatever I wish – even if it’s simply to cut the grass at a time I want to rather than at weekends because I’m working full-time.
Thanks for dropping by and Happy New Year.
Andrew
This is the first time I visit your blog, but I can say that it will definitely not be the last. This post just made me realize that I want to read everything you’ve ever written.
At the moment, I’m trying to decide what to do with my life. If I should stay in the corporate world or go 100% online.
I don’t have the pay rises that you did, but it’s not about the money. It’s about freedom and spending time with the people you love (I have a wife and two kids).
Thanks for sharing.
Jens,
Thanks for dropping by.
I agree a lot has to do about freedom and doing what you wish but you still need an income to live.
I would not recommend anyone leave the Corporate world until they are making whatever income they need (consistently for at least 6 months) via online methods.
How long have you been online? Are you making enough money online to continue to enjoy your life? Perhaps just try living on your online income only for the next couple of months – don’t touch your corporate salary money.
Andrew
I have been blogging for a few years, but without focus.
I don’t have enough money yet in order to live on my online income.
What I’m planning to do is to save enough money and by August 1st, I’ll try five months online (not working for my current job).
A great post, Andrew… and a very powerful title.
It’s already been said many times… you made the choice for Freedom.
Freedom is an easy choice in theory… but probably not so much when it is being weighed against $90,000.00
Congratulations!
keep smiling,
Ben
Thanks, Ben.
Really appreciate your coming over and commenting.
I shall smile if my launch goes ok!
Andrew
Excellent post Andrew.
But I don’t know if it’s the biggest mistake you ever made. Maybe (and I’m gonna show a bit of attitude here) but maybe the biggest mistake that most of us believe is that to do well in life we have to go to school, get a job, buy a house, go into debt etc, etc.
As a single Dad I have come to the conclusion that $$ aren’t everything, but that it’s more important to say true to yourself, your dreams and ambitions, and of course your family. And it’s the last one that gives me the drive to do what I do.
In short, I commend you on your decision, and wish you all the success that you so rightfully deserve. It’s something that your friend probably doesn’y understand, but that’s his problem really isn’t it?
Cheers
Dan
Dan
Thanks for those kind words. The fact that we have to get a good education, get a job, settle down, buy a house…is ‘drummed into us’ by our parents and we do the same we our children (well most of us do). Reminds me of ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’. Read the book? The ‘Poor Dad’ was the one with the successful job! The ‘Rich Dad’ worked for himself.
Sounds like you have the right reasons giving you your drive. Thanks for dropping by and hope to see you again.
Andrew
i don’t suggest whether its correct or not. if you are living for money then it is wrong decision. i think in your life you like your freedom more then money that’s why you have made this decision.
i like your thought freedom is much important than money..
Great post, Andrew!
It’s not all about the money — especially when we get to certain point in our lives — and you showed that to be true.
My work is helping people with their midlife reinvention. Would love to interview you for future post!
.-= Lisa Kelly Zuba´s last blog ..What’s My Purpose? =-.
Thanks, Lisa.
When I was younger it was all about the money – not so much now I’m much older!
An interview would be fab. Want to contact me to agree a time?
Thanks.
Andrew
thanks for sharing your advise really learned lot here .very useful advise and suggestion you posted here app recite that you shared lot of informative stuff with the readers.
Ok at first I thought what is this guy thinking quitting a job like that, but then I thought about it: if you are not in debt, earning enough money, and you enjoy it a lot more, then you shouldn’t feel bad. It looks like you made the right choice. Not everybody is talented enough online to be able to make such a choice so congrats! and best of luck on your blogging endeavors.
You just teasing me bro, I just wondering when someone want to hire me with that payment, lol!
What the corporate world offers us is called the ‘Golden Handcuffs’ fat salary but no freedom, we do not even have the freedom to think freely and this can be suffocating for most of us. $90,000.00 is a lot of money but you chose what you loved to do and the satisfaction we derive from what we love doing is so intense that even money cannot give us that satisfaction.
Robert
I certainly do not regret making this decision.
I’ve loved working from home and the freedom is amazing…priceless!
Andrew
you have raised some interesting points here.
online income and working from home is a dream for many.
if successful then you can enjoy home life and travel more, of course assuming online income can give you the financial freedom you want !
I don’t think things like this come up often. I agree with you, no mistake. You made your decisions. I made the choice to leave a high paid job and move to Africa from the UK nearly 10 years ago. I’m now living in Asia and enjoy my life much more than I think I would if I was still going into my old job every day!