Why I quit my 9–5 during a global pandemic?

If Covid-19 has taught the world anything, it’s that nothing is secure. Why then would I voluntarily leave the security of a full time job and not have another one to go to?

Last Thursday 13th August, was the last day of my 4 week notice as a Graduate Regeneration Consultant at a city Real Estate firm. It was the day my entrepreneurial passions could finally-fully be realised. When I told my Igbo (South Eastern Nigerian) parents that I had quit my job, they were understandably concerned and shocked, but still supportive. In all honestly, my Dad took the phone call quite well (in hindsight I think he was relatively quiet because he was processing the counter-cultural news!).

Let me take you through 3 reasons why I decided to take this step of faith in such a precarious time.

1. Not All Risks are Created Equal

As a fairly recent driver, I can tell you that driving is a risk (especially in London!). However driving whilst drunk is 11 times more riskier than driving whilst sober. This and countless other examples, tell us that not all risks are the same. Resigning from my full time job to follow my entrepreneurial passions, particularly in this time of flux, is of course a risk but I believe it was a calculated one.

I am relatively young (24). I saved a small amount of money from my previous full time job. I have limited expenses. This is what gave me the belief I could “afford” to take such a risk due to my arguably limited responsibilities compared to a “31 year old married with 2 kids Chijioke”.

I calculated that it would be a greater (personal) risk had I not left my job now and miss the opportunity to live the life I truly want. When based on qualitative events, calculating risk will always be personal to the individual — so I understand why people may calculate risk differently.

2. The Currency of Skills

I often battle with having a diverse interest in things vs the risk of becoming a ‘Jack of All Trades Master of None’. Serial entrepreneur Tim Ferris shares that being a generalist can help one to plug the unique gaps in today’s dynamic economy. Ironically I also received the same advice from my previous manager whilst working in Regeneration which helped me to come to peace with this struggle.

To varying degrees, I have experience in Property, Research, Event Curation, Digital Marketing & PR — in the context of start ups, large corporations and academia.

Three of the skills I knew I wanted to develop were public speaking, sales & digital marketing. Public speaking because I love communicating stories. Sales because entrepreneurs need to sell. Digital marketing because people need to see what you’re selling.

There was a short period of time shortly before leaving my previous job in which I was applying to a mixture of part time & full time start up roles to accelerate my development in these areas. After some rejections, it dawned on me that if I’m serious about developing the above three skills the most efficient way (due to hyper-responsibility) was to do so as a full time entrepreneur.

I concluded that my journey of faith to learn these high demand and valued skills, which transcend industries, paradoxically can create security.

3. Ransack the Cementery

The words of the late Dr. Myles Munroe ring in my head everytime I think about compromising on my dreams.

He eloquently shares that the wealthiest place in the world is the cementery. This is due to the vast amounts of people who die with their unrealised dreams, passions and ambitions.

I will never look down on those who work 9–5s. I learnt many valuable skills, had a supportive team and developed my character whilst working in my last role. Besides, if no one worked a 9–5 who would work for people’s businesses?

I understand that people’s dreams, passions and ambitions may directly be correlated with working full time in a corporation. However, I’ve come to realise mine are not. Could this change? absolutely, but for now I want to give my current passions a true “shot”, a burst of resources (mainly time), to kickstart the life I want.

From making jewellery boxes in GCSE Design & Technology to selling snacks from my back pack in school. I’ve always had a deep passion for creativity, enterprise and technology. Over the last 2 years, working in several start ups, attending & organising networking events and partaking in several entrepreneurial programmes/accelerators (in person, abroad and online) have really re-ignited my dreams, passions and ambitions.

As a Christian, I do not want to be a talent burier and as a friend one said “I refuse to go the grave with my dreams”.

So as I continue this journey of faith, exploring the unknown and challenging my societal conditioning on the “safety of employment” — I find myself enjoying the dynamic journey.

If you want to hear more about me, check out my newly created personal website here and in the spirit of developing my sales skills feel free to sign up to a business I’m launching on September 11th 2020.