Four years after leaving corporate HR to become an entrepreneur, people still ask how I made the transition – professional women, in particular. Some are looking for coaching, others just thinking about what it might be like to launch or join a startup Their questions include:

• Did it take a long time to plan your transition?
• As the primary wage earner, was it scary?
• Do you wish you had done it sooner?

The answer to all of the above is yes. And no. While running a business has its challenges, it’s also allowed me to join my mission of helping startups scale, with my purpose of creating healthy, inclusive culture. All while pursuing my passion – supporting women and girls in tech.

We’re All Driven by Purpose

Richard Leider describes purpose beautifully:

“What it looks like is a clear-eyed, energetic person getting up in the morning–with a reason to get up in the morning–and going off to do something that they have really chosen to do with their time and their life.”

That doesn’t mean aligning your purpose with your vocation is going to be fast or easy, but at some point you may feel that change is inevitable. As an executive coach, I’ve been taught that a client may be driven by pain or purpose, sometimes a mix of both. Consider a person who wants to make the leap to a startup, but she’s in her dream job. Her work is interesting and challenging, it pays well, and she has good balance. Why leave? Then she gets a new boss and they don’t see eye to eye. Her priorities shift, and suddenly there’s a friction that wasn’t there before. Her discontent pushes her to explore something new.

An equation called the Beckhard-Harris change model illustrates the role of dissatisfaction leading to change this way:

DVF>R or: Dissatisfaction x Vision x First Steps > Resistance.

Notice that resistance has to be outweighed by several other factors before we are motivated to change the status quo.

Distinguishing Practical Concerns from Limiting Beliefs

There are both Practical Concerns and Limiting Beliefs that can get in the way of your career transition. Practical concerns include security, income, and health benefits. These are realities of everyday life that most of us need to consider. A limiting belief is a message you’re telling yourself that is not rooted in fact. Limiting beliefs include feeling you are not experienced or credible enough, you don’t know enough to run a business, no one would possibly pay for your expertise, etc. If you’re not careful, a limiting belief may be disguised as practical.

Money Isn’t Everything

For instance, think about your salary. There are cultural messages about money that become part of our identity. Many people don’t believe they can take a pay cut, even temporarily. If you’re going from a high paid corporate job to a startup, you’ll need to change your mindset. Challenge yourself to separate financial needs from wants. Figure out what you need for food, rent, and living expenses – it could be far less than what you earn today.

Maybe without too much effort, you can also cut back on discretionary spending. Many people spend more than they think on little amenities – going out to lunch and dinner, stopping at Starbucks instead of making coffee at home…you get the idea. There are even more dramatic shifts like renting out a room or moving to a cheaper place. That might not be a choice you’re personally willing to make, but it is an option.

Three Steps to Get You Started

Here are three stages I personally found helpful to work through my own transition

Talk back to your limiting voices.

“But I’m the Wage Earner.” I guarantee you know people who do what you do, and successfully support themselves and their families. Ask around and find examples. Once you see it, you can be it.

“Corporate Jobs are More Secure.” Benefits, stock options, and life insurance can all be bought with the money you earn on your own. Corporate layoffs and reorganizations remind us that corporate jobs aren’t necessarily secure, they’re just familiar which makes them comfortable.

Lean on Others.

Ask for help from mentors, family members, friends and peers – you’ll want some extra encouragement and a good sounding board. There’s no reason to go it alone.

Don’t Look Back.

Eventually you can reflect on the change you’ve made. But early on, look straight ahead and keep on moving. Give yourself six to twelve months before evaluating your success and deciding whether it’s working.  

Are you thinking about going out on your own or joining a startup? Executive coaching can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you, and build the confidence to make a change. For more information, contact us info@reverbpeople.com.