Should you quit your job to start freelancing?

Probably not.

Usually, you shouldn’t turn your back on a steady paycheck and maybe other benefits like health insurance and retirement to start freelancing. There are some circumstances where that’s reasonable. But those cases are limited.

Most people who quit to freelance are likely to get a real rude awakening. Doubt me and do it, and it could possibly one of the worst decisions you make.

That may sound shocking coming from me because if you’ve been around, you know what I’m about. You know I’m freelance to the bone. If this is our first encounter—I’m diehard freelance.

And I’m shameless—sometimes relentless—about encouraging others to freelance too.

But that doesn’t mean I think anyone should just quit a job for an opportunity.

To be absolutely clear, I’m not saying the goal shouldn’t be quit your job. Once your business is up, running, and can cover your finances, by all means, clock out and collect your last check.

But I’m saying don’t quit your job to start.

When you’re at the stage where you have a job and an idea. Most of the time, it’s best to keep the job.

SEE: The Truth About Freelancing & Inconsistent Income

For starters, that’s Finance 101. You don’t cut off flowing revenue for potential revenue, even if you have money saved.

Regardless how much you have in your stash, keep funds coming in.

Some of you have a gambler’s heart. You feel like, if you’re going to do it, you’re gonna go all in.

To you, I say, don’t be brave with money when you don’t have to be. Don’t take risks for comfort. Task risks for reward.

Quitting isn’t a bet you have to take to start freelancing. It’s generally a choice related to energy or emotion. People either want to quit so they’ll have less to do or because they feel some type of way about their co-workers, job, or having to work overall.

Well, here’s a delivery of harsh reality: If you don’t have it in you to maintain a job while launching your freelance business, you probably don’t have what it takes to freelance full-time.

Despite what anyone tries to lead you to believe, running a business means you’ll work more, not less. Especially at the beginning. So, in your early days, it’s wisest to divide your labor between a job offering guaranteed income and a business build-out that’s done strategically and at a moderate pace.

And if your drive to quit is emotional, staying on the job is a character-building exercise you should accept because, in the freelancing world, if your decisions are made from emotion, you’re going to get in big trouble.

LISTEN TO: 10 Things You Should Known About Freelancing

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