How do you know when you’re ready to go full time? The truth is, I wish there was a simple answer. I also used to wish that my own story was this perfectly thought-out plan with a clear road map from the beginning.

Here are some of the feelings I had that pushed me to take the leap:

1. The “Everyday Scaries.” Maybe you’ve heard of the Sunday Scaries – that anxiety you feel as the weekend comes to an end and you know you have to go back to work tomorrow. Yeah, I had those pretty regularly.

2. Feeling that you’re not thriving in your environment. There seems to be this expectation that after college, the next step is to line up a corporate 9-5 job. But what about those of us that aren’t built for that life? I realized I was trying to make myself fit into that setting, even though I knew it stifled my productivity and creativity.

3. I had a hard time defining success for myself. I believed that going with the status quo meant that I was doing what I was supposed to do. But I also felt that there was a ceiling in each position and that there were limitations on my career path.

4. I couldn’t stop dreaming about the “what if” of going for it. I had been running my business as a freelance side gig for years, and I just kept saying, maybe a few years from now I’ll be able to do it full time. I kept postponing what I really wanted out of fear of failure.

I’m so grateful for the day that my husband asked me, “Which idea scares you more: taking the chance on your business or staying where you are?” That was all I needed. I put in my two weeks’ notice that day and vowed that I would make it happen without looking back.

Was it the scariest leap I’ve ever taken? You bet. But it was beyond worth it. Does any of this hit home for you? Feel free to reach out – I’d love to help in any way I can.