PERSONAL

Three years ago I quit my corporate job for yoga pants…

Jenna Kutcher 

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May 8, 2015

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Okay, so I didn’t actually quit my job FOR yoga pants, but I did trade in my red and khaki uniform for yoga pants and long days working from home. Here’s the truth: I had thought that the corporate life was for me, I dreamt of power suits and high heels. (Now I dream of yoga pants and sports bras.) I studied marketing and communication in college and quickly secured a job at one of the nation’s leading retailers. In everyone else’s eyes I had “made it.” I was so excited and on fire and ready to conquer the corporate world. I worked along side some amazing people but quickly realized it wasn’t a ladder I wanted to climb. In all honesty, I wasn’t fulfilled entirely. I worked long hours, nights and weekends, spent holidays away from my family, and felt so depleted at the end of every day. I knew I needed to make a change.

If this sounds like you, I want you to listen up: follow your bliss. Seriously, listen to that gut of yours. It’s never too late to start pursuing your dream job, we need to be the designers of our lives, we need to take the bull by the horns. Now here’s what I’m not telling you: I’m not telling you to quit your job today to stay home in your yoga pants, but I am telling you to start dreaming a little harder, give yourself the permission to dream a little big bigger. I believe in chasing your dreams, but doing it in a smart way, here are the steps I took to leave my corporate job for a life working from home (most days in bed.) It takes time, it takes a lot of work, but I am on the other side cheering you on. It can be done, friends.

▪ Figure out what you are passionate about. (Hint: it should be something you can’t imagine not doing.) Even if I didn’t get paid to do it, I would still do photography. It fills up my cup and gets me giddy! When you are passionate about something, you will do what it takes to be amazing at it. Find your passion and dive in head first. Learn, educate yourself, become an expert in your field, and refine your craft.
▪ Don’t make rash decisions. When I knew I wanted to leave my job, I first set myself up for success. I reached out to every connection I could, I advertised, built a brand and I booked enough clients to match my salary (25 weddings my first year to be exact) and I worked hard up until my wedding season started. It takes a lot of hustle but it can be done! I saved every penny I could and never, ever went into debt for my business.
▪ If you have a job, don’t think it is holding you back, use it to help fund your dreams! Before you quit, make sure you are legit. Take the time to register your business, make it legal, and get the word out. Still work hard for your current position, you definitely don’t want to let atone one down or burn any bridges. Marketing yourself in this phase is critical in gaining enough clientele to make the leap (and know the net will appear.) Having a job can help fund your endeavors when you are just starting out and ensure that you setting yourself up for a successful entrepreneurial future.

Three years ago, at the age of 23, I left my windowless corporate office to be a full-time entrepreneur in an industry I was entirely self-taught in. My passion drove me to learn, grow, and refine my brand. I knew that I had to do something because it was a now or never situation. I can’t imagine still being in the corporate world, I can’t imagine working for a boss, I can’t imagine doing anything other than what I am doing today (and part of that is teaching and inspiring entrepreneurs!) If you are stuck in a stuffy cubical, know that I was there, I punched that time clock, I wore that uniform, I owned that pile on the desk that was never complete. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be really, really hard but something tells me you can do it! Start making waves, friends. Get out and make this one life you are living count.

The world needs more people who have come fully alive, it just so happens that I am fully alive in yoga pants! Tell me, what are your greatest gaps in chasing your dreams, what is holding you back? Registration for round II of the Jenna Kutcher Course begins on Monday and closes Friday! If you want more info or want to snag your seat, email me at: hello@jennakutcher.com! What are you waiting for? What’s holding you back? I would love to help you find what makes you come fully alive and be successful in chasing it!

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  1. Shamira West says:

    I love this! I actually want to become a fulltime online fitness coach and personal trainer. I already started making steps. I got a part time job in a fitness club to get exposure. I will still have my corporate job until I get enough savings to go out on my own and get my certification. Thanks for this post! It was helpful

  2. sarah says:

    Hi Jenna. So when you left your job you had a very clear idea of what you were leaving to do – ie. become a photographer. I’m curious about those of us who do not have a set idea or necessarily one overwhelming passion that translates into a marketable thing. What do you suggest. Thanks,

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A small town Minnesota photographer, podcaster, educator and puppy rescuer, my happiest days are spent behind my computer screen sharing my secrets with the world. I'm glad you're here.

I’m an expert at online marketing, a nerd when it comes to the numbers, and my obsession is teaching others how to make a living doing what they love (without it taking over their life). 

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