“Don’t quit your day job to follow your passion” is a piece of advice that a lot of leaders give. The reasoning behind this advice is that following your passion may not always be a viable or sustainable career path, and it can be risky to give up a stable source of income without a solid plan in place.

If you’re considering quitting your day job to follow your passion, it’s important to do your research and assess your skills, resources, and potential opportunities carefully. You may want to start by testing the waters by working on your passion project as a side hustle while still maintaining your day job.

Entrepreneurship is not for everyone.

Entrepreneurship is a challenging and demanding path that may not be suitable for everyone. Starting and running a successful business requires a unique set of skills, personality traits, and qualities that not everyone possesses. You may not possess these entrepreneurship skills right from day one. Thus, it might be just as wise for you to keep your day job and keep working for someone else, at least until you possess the skills and requirements to follow your passion in a full-fledged manner.

Entrepreneurship requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You need to be willing to take risks, be comfortable with uncertainty, and have a strong drive to succeed. You also need to be able to handle failure and learn from your mistakes.

Why you should keep your day job

Not everyone wants the “risk” of business ownership; some also prefer to work with others. Think about what you prefer with a calm mind and decide what you want to do. Write down your goals, interests, and purpose in life. Next, evaluate your entrepreneurship skills: is your current skill set sufficient for getting started with quitting your day job altogether and taking a full plunge toward following your passion? If yes, all the best for your venture. However, if you feel that you can scale your skills while doing the best at your day job, that’s the ideal scenario for you.

There’s a good chance that your day job can also help you make connections that can help you with your passion project. You may be able to meet people who can help you with your project, such as potential customers, investors, or mentors.

Don’t quit your day job: 5 reasons to keep your day job as you follow your passion.

Even though it can be hard to handle both jobs at the same time, doing so can help you reach your goals and turn your passion into a successful career.

There are several reasons why it may be beneficial to keep your day job while pursuing your passion:

Financial stability

Pursuing your passion can often be a risky endeavor, and it may take some time before you are able to turn it into a profitable business or career. Keeping your day job can give you a steady source of income so you can take care of yourself while you work on your passion project.

Reduced stress

Pursuing your passion while also trying to make ends meet can be stressful and overwhelming. By keeping your day job, you can focus on developing your passion project without the added pressure of worrying about paying the bills.

Learning opportunities

Your day job can also provide you with valuable skills and experiences that can be applied to your passion project. For example, if you work in marketing, you may be able to use your knowledge to promote your passion project.

Networking opportunities

Your day job can also help you meet important people who can help you with your passion project. Through your professional network, you may be able to get in touch with possible clients or partners.

Time management: If you want to follow your passion while also working a day job, you need to be good at managing your time. By juggling both responsibilities, you can learn the skills you need to manage your time well and get the most done.

How to follow your passion while you decide to keep your day job

Following your passion while keeping your day job requires careful planning and time management. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Set clear goals: Define your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Make sure your goals are realistic and attainable, and that you have a clear timeline to work towards.

Budget it: So you have a dream you wish to pursue, but you don’t have the resources to do so. Don’t quit your day job; start setting aside the funds necessary for the project to take off while you juggle both responsibilities.

Create a schedule: Plan your week ahead and set aside specific times to work on your passion project. This could be early in the morning, late at night, or on weekends. Be disciplined and stick to your schedule.

Prioritize your time: Identify the most important tasks you need to complete each day and focus on those first when you can achieve peak performance. Try to avoid distractions, such as social media or TV, during your scheduled passion project time.

Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate some of your day job tasks to free up more time for your passion project. This could involve working with your colleagues or outsourcing certain tasks.

Be patient: Pursuing your passion while working a day job can take longer than you expect. Be patient and keep working towards your goals, even if progress seems slow at times.

Seek support: Talk to family, friends, or colleagues about your passion project and ask for their support. Consider enrolling your friends or colleagues in this project as well. This can help keep you motivated and provide valuable feedback and ideas.

Takeaway: Don’t quit your day job.

All said, if your self-evaluation results point out that you don’t possess an entrepreneurial spirit, consider getting a job in an area that supports your dreams. This will help you satisfy your passion to make a difference in your chosen field while taking off the pressure to support and keep a company afloat. Alternately, you can also devise a plan for earning more in your current job.

Remember to take care of yourself. It’s important to prioritize self-care while pursuing your passion project. Make sure you get enough rest, exercise, and relaxation time to avoid burnout.

Indeed, following your passion while keeping your day job requires a lot of hard work and dedication. However, with the right mindset and approach, it’s possible to achieve your goals and turn your passion into a successful side hustle while you keep your day job or even a full-time career.