This week my company announced that my department will be outsourced. Don’t panic, there is a four month transition & knowledge transfer period. Then I get a severance package. It’s an unfortunate event. I can almost feel the pain of some of my co-workers. However, things are different for me. For past few months, I had been thinking of quitting my job & starting my own startup company. I have been working on a few side projects to sharpen my web development skills. Also reading a lot of business books. I had marked Jan 15th, 2010 on calendar to make the final decision to turn in my 2 weeks notice or not. (I know I gave myself a long time to decide.)
In past, I have worked as independent consultant before but it was basically not by choice. I could not find real job, so I started my own business. Hence, as soon as I got a real job I stopped taking care of my own business.
While working in the corporate world, I realized that reward motivates me more than failure. In the corporate world, it will take me a lifetime before I can make a few million dollars. My hard work doesn’t give me a reward rather it provides security of receiving paycheck next month.
So when I heard the news of getting laid off, I wasn’t disappointed. To me, it was a sign. I must go independent. Work on what I like and when I like. Work as much as I want because in the end reward is directly proportional to the work. In corporate world, one simply work harder than their co-workers if they want to progress quickly not as hard as they could. If they just want the security of paycheck, then they simply work as little as possible without getting fired.
It’s a big decision. Going independent. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. I already am getting visions of me having money, no paycheck, no security. OKay I must stop. That day is far away. Let me focus on a few tasks that I can take care of right now.
- Business cards – must get these. At @cohabitat’s launch party, everyone was asking for my business cards.
- Business name – not very important right now but need a good name.
- Products – working on book exchanging project and a few more are in my head.
- Decide, if I should use my old corporation or start a new one. I will need to rename my old corporation so the cost will be almost same. Probably I should talk to my accountant.
- Find an attorney and talk to them before I do corporation stuff.
- Update my online persona to reflect, my new business plans.
- Retake Paypal certification exam. I got a lot of call from people wanting to integrate Paypal in their website last year.
- Brush up on my Math skills so I can tutor as a backup while I look for business. (used to tutor).
- Figure out a way to work with partners. Talk to attorney, I guess.
- Figure out what else I can do now. (Without 10th item, list would have looked empty
Okay I guess first thing I will do is order business cards. I know what you are thinking, how can I order business cards without business name. I just need something to give to potential partners, clients and possibly employees with my name and number.
I will go out now!
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Those are wise words, my friend…You are right on about seeing this as a great opportunity. Particularly, it is great to see that you have a four (4) month head start on things. It’s a bummer that your job is getting outsourced, but on a positive note it was just that – a job…Now, you have the chance to button that role up as you work toward discovering yourself through your own abilities and talent. My thoughts will definitely be with you; but I am confident your drive and action are going to be the cornerstones for your success…Do it up! =)
Rob,
Thanks for the encouragement. Looking forward to new chapter in my life. What you’ve been up to?
Amer