How to Find Joy and Start a Business in Uncertain Times

There comes a point when you think to yourself “this is not what I expected my life to look like.”

When you reach that point you have two options. You can continue as if nothing happened, and join the millions of people with life-long regrets, or you can decide to move into what gives you joy. It may be scary, terrifying, and petrifying to think about leaving a stable income to try something that you’re not sure “will work.” Can I just let you know that the fear, the risk and the sacrifices are worth it, especially if you are smart about how you do it.

Here are a few tips for pivoting into joy:

1. It’s okay to have a job on the side. While you’re looking at finding what makes your soul sing, you can also keep a job on the side. Yes, a side job can delay your progress, but that’s up to you to decide not to let it be an obstacle. You have to decide how long you will work in this job, and what you will do every day to help you find something more fulfilling.
2. Get some mentors. One of the best things you can do is get some mentors. If you know some wonderful people who would be willing to mentor you in person, then make yourself available to them. Find people online and connect with them. Read their books, their blogs etc. and learn from them—learn everything you can from their lives (including their mistakes). Use this opportunity to learn as much as you can, and then learn some more.
3. Make a plan. Think of where you want to be in the next five years. Think big, think bold. Now work backwards. What do you need to do in the next 3 years to get where you want to go? What do you need to do in the next year to get there? What do you need to do in the next 6 months, the next 3 months, the next month, the next two weeks, the next week etc.? Conclude by focusing on today: what do you need to do today to get where you want to be in the next five years? If you don’t know what you need to do, then do some research and find out. There are many blogs out there with suggestions on how to pivot.
4. Do the work. Whatever it is you decide, do the work, relax, unwind, and work hard. Your life deserves it. And the rest of us are waiting for you to do that amazing thing. We need you.

Author: Osayi Emokpae Lasisi is a Business and Marketing Strategist for women in their 20s to 40s. You can connect and get her “Invest in people, invest in profits” free ebook.