It’s been almost two years since I left my steady 9-5.  Every two weeks I knew how much money was coming in.  I had a specific amount of vacation time that I had to use within a certain period.  In general, I knew my job was safe and secure.  By opening my business, within a short period of time, I realized that safe and secure was no longer where I needed to live.

With the help of a coach , I was able to realize that I wasn’t taking a leap of faith as so many of us think that’s what starting a business and leaving a full-time job is about.  In actuality, I was making very calculated steps to a very exciting end game, a thriving business.

I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on this decision and I’ve come up with five things I’ve learned by leaving my full-time job.

1. You have to have a plan

I’ve had a business plan pretty much the whole time I’ve been in business.  Add a countless amount of to-do lists and planners to things I do to keep my business running.  My plan is always changing so it’s flexible but having something on paper has helped to keep me on track.

2. It’s important to have support

When I first started out thinking about leaving my job, I worked with a life coach on ways to create abundance, shed old belief systems and work deliberately towards my plans.  Luckily, a lot of my friends are therapists so I had their support, as well.

3. Focus on the big picture, while attending to small details

I don’t dwell on small details but I do pay attention to them.  I keep my focus on the big picture but I make sure all of the smaller items are done, like my accounting, files and other business practices.

4. Some months are better than others

This is the reality no matter what business you are in.  In retail, the holiday months are the best months.  I’ve found that my best months are during periods of transition, such as the beginning of the year, start of school and around the holidays.  I’m also evaluating how to keep fresh and build new income sources so that each month can be better than the previous month but I’ve also realized that it’s an ebb and flow and to be okay with that process.

5. It’s about creating the life you want

For me, I wanted the freedom that having my own business afforded me.  Having a business is not for everyone so decide how you want to live your life and go after it.  It might be a blended model, where you have a full-time job and a side business.  Figure out what you want and go for it.

Leaving my full-time job was one of the best decisions I’ve made.  It’s allowed me freedom in my schedule and in my life.  Even though some months are better than others, it’s been a lot of fun working on creating income and doing other things to support my business.   And the best part, I get to write blogposts on the couch with my dog on a Monday morning!

Amanda Patterson, LMHC, CAP , Mental Health Counselor of the Year by the Florida Mental Health Counseling Association,  decided to become a therapist while attending Nova Southeastern University. She saw the need to help people achieve the life they wanted to live, while creating a life of her own. She completed her master’s in Mental Health Counseling and started a career in the juvenile justice arena. Amanda has been a therapist for ten years and has a private practice in Wellington, Florida, specializing in depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and substance abuse in teenagers and young adults. Amanda is a believer in holistic treatment and she practices veganism, meditation and yoga in her life. Find out more about her practice here.

To schedule an appointment, call or text Amanda at 954-378-5381 or email her at amanda@amandapattersonlmhc.com.