Hi Liz,

So many factors go into this, but it sounds like you’re making some great moves. Steady W2 employment can provide an awesome base toward FI. Self-employment has bigger potentials and downfalls, depending on the nature of the work you’ll do and how long it takes you to become profitable.

No need to stay all the way until FI–I didn’t. My W2 industry lit my fire, but my then-employer was toxic, so two years ago I decided to venture out on my own and start my own accounting business, taxes during season and consulting the rest of the year. It slowed down our path to FI, but we’re so much happier.

One caveat, don’t leave because you’re unhappy at this moment. Resign in neutral times–if possible. I was given the advice to make big decisions slowly under HALT (whenever you’re hungry, angry, lonely or tired) circumstances.

I can’t regret my ten W2 years (only 2 at that last place): they gave me the expertise and credibility to go out on my own, and a great base start on our FI journey (that I only discovered 4 years ago). I hope that your current W2 job, even though it isn’t in your passion zone, is giving you some skillset that will enhance your future entrepreneurial ventures. Best Wishes!

Always happy to share your writing, RBD! Keep churning out great stuff. And I’m looking forward to meeting you at FinCon as well! Let the countdown begin.

I first heard Sivers say that quote on a Tim Ferriss Podcast and it has stuck with me ever since. I’ve found it to be an effective strategy!

A couple years ago, I made the decision to work in an office even though I had an entrepreneurial streak. I felt like a 9-to-5 corporate job would be the fastest thing to help rack up a huge cushion of savings before venturing out to chase my dreams. In my bid to save as much as possible, I’ve made myself a little miserable at my job. Sometimes I wonder whether I’ll regret spending these few years working a job that doesn’t mean much to me.

It’s interesting how the cobra effect ties with this as well – by trying to attain a financial foundation and to ultimately secure happiness, I’m unhappy at the current moment. But what gets me through the day is that my paycheck is stable, and that I’ve only got a couple of years left on my timeline. (I’m going to quit my job before reaching FI.) A little sacrifice for a decent financial foundation. What do you think about this?

You only live once, but be wise because life is long!

Thanks for the correction Michelle, you’re right, that’s who I meant 🙂 I’ll correct that typo

I think the fact that you rarely feel a “HELL YEAH” is the point of Sivers’ approach – by saying “no” to most things, you have the availability to say “yes” to the “HELL YEAH” categories 🙂