Daring to be Different
Marc Norris
Motivation, Mindset and Wellness
As some of you know, it was a year ago yesterday that I worked my last day at a traditional job. I would have to say that it was a pivotal moment in my life and I had to make a decision between following my dreams of operating a successful business or giving that up to pursue a career.
It wasn’t an easy decision. Ten years ago there would have been few consequences no matter what I decided. But with three kids at home (that seem to always be hungry for some reason) it was tough to decide. Thankfully, my wife believed that we could do it and so we took that giant leap of faith that the business would provide for us.
It wasn’t an easy path to take by any means, and honestly there were a couple of months there where I had enough of eating mac and cheese. We faced a lot of challenges especially when it came to our friends and their continual questioning of our choice. We would get such questions as:
"Why don’t you have a job"
"How are you going to survive without benefits?"
"How will you be able to provide for your family?"
And so on. It seemed that no one really thought that we could make it, but in the end we have persevered. By daring to be different, I have had the opportunity to do things that I would never have been able to do at a job. It has also given me the freedom to volunteer at my son’s school and spend time with my kids instead of always being at work.
Even though we have made it through the first year of having no jobs, I know that we will continue to face criticism for being different. The biggest problem is that what I am doing is not a reality for most people: they just don’t understand how it can possibly work.
But, I am very thankful to have the wonderful support of Katherine and my fellow bloggers here on this site and in the Skype room. When you step outside of the "norm" it is important to have a good support group of like-minded people that understand your situation and can relate to you.
Do I regret my choice?
Not at all. Though it has had its ups and downs, this past year has been very rewarding. I love the freedom to spend time with my kids, I love doing something that I love for "work", and I love to have the opportunity to be myself and be different.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Marc Norris @ September 10, 2008
Marc Norris