You want out. You can’t take the practice anymore. But you’re making too much money and can’t see a way to replace it.
You’re stuck.
No, not really. You’ve got two options.
The first option is to do something on the side. A small business, something you could do part time. If it takes off, in a few years, you could have your ticket out.
That’s what I did when I wanted out of my practice. Over a period of three years, I wrote a marketing course and started selling it. It took a long time to get everything in place, but once I did, I was earning enough income to wind down my practice.
Today, the Internet gives you many more options. You can run a business from your smart phone, with little or nothing invested up front. This allows you to get into profit a lot quicker than a traditional business.
You may not have any idea about what kind of business you could start, and that’s okay. Use your lunch hour to begin exploring.
The second option is to take up a hobby. Seriously. Find something you enjoy doing and start doing it. Let your hobby provide the sustenance that is missing in your practice. See your practice as a way to finance your passion. No matter how bad it gets during the day, you know you have something you love to look forward to at the end of the day.
Maybe you love to paint. Do it. Take classes. Meet other painters. Go to art museums. When you find yourself stressed out at work, paint something. When you have a spare moment or two, read art magazines. Fantasize about being a great painter, or owning a successful art gallery.
There’s no pressure to earn income from your hobby. You do it because you love doing it.
But here’s the thing. Many a new career has been born from the pursuit of a passion. Don’t expect it, or try to make it happen. But don’t be surprised if it does.
