You know that job you’re slogging away at? The one for which your passive aggressive boss sends you urgent emails over the weekend? And your colleague, let’s call her Sally, provides insignificant corrections on everything you do?
I know, I know … you totally hate being there. The morning commute sucks. The work you’re doing feels soul-crushing and totally pointless. And let’s face it: it is a time and energy suck. You are meant for more, and you will do more. In reality, no one builds an empire in the break room chatting about “The Voice.”
I get it; I’ve been there too. That’s why what I’m about to tell you is shocking and may make you even downright angry. Heck, it even shocked me as I was writing it.
That job you hate? You’re going to have to suck it up a bit longer.
Now before you go “Real Housewives” and flip a table, hear me out.
Right now, that lame job is giving you one flow of income (you should always have multiple flows). Unless your business or idea is already crushing it, that boring job is funding your lifestyle. It is allowing you to put food on the table, pay your bills on time, and even buy a round of vodka shots for you and your friends on Friday night (because OMFG, you need multiple shots after listening to Sally’s “helpful” corrections all day).
The cash flow from that job is giving you the room to breathe. Think of it as the investor in the life that you’re working to build. Without that investor, you’re on the line to make money from your business or creative pursuits right away. And while having your back against the wall can cause you to take massive action, it’s really no fun to live that way. Struggling from a cash flow perspective diverts your attention away from creating your vision. It makes building stressful and scary.
As entrepreneur, host, and motivational speaker Marie Forleo says, “Bridge jobs are the best.” Think of the job that you’re in as a bridge from where you are to where you want to be. Each day, try to use it as a learning experience. Are there courses that you could take to prepare you for taking the leap? Can you learn more about marketing, sales, or finance while you’re at your job?
Now, if your job is totally stressing you out, you have the right to quit. Life is too short; ain’t nobody got time for that. But line up another bridge job until your business or creative pursuits can support your lifestyle. The best bridge jobs are low-stress and mindless, and give you ample free time in the evenings and on weekends to hustle on growing your idea.
Don’t forget that your situation is temporary. One day, when you’re speaking at the conference that you’ve always wanted to speak at, signing a multimillion-dollar contract, or opening your first gallery, you’ll look back on your silly bridge job and laugh. You’ll realize that it was an important part of your journey and growth. And you may even smile and wonder what Sally is up to.
