Introduction
Looking back at the photos from 2018 and 2019, I appear happy and content. On the surface, it seemed like a great year, but in reality, it was a facade—a misrepresentation intended to conceal an underlying discontent. Fresh out of university, I moved from a small UK town to Amsterdam to work in the finance industry. I quickly secured a nine-to-five corporate job, and initially, everything seemed perfect. The job paid well, my colleagues were fantastic, and Amsterdam was an enchanting city. However, something didn’t feel right.
The Corporate Dilemma
Every morning, I woke up with a sinking feeling in my stomach, particularly intense on Mondays. As the week progressed, this feeling would subside, only to return the following Monday. I was living for the weekends, enduring five days of misery just to enjoy Saturday and Sunday. My routine involved commuting to work while working on my side business—a startup for open acrylic glass posters. Evenings were spent working on this venture, but I felt trapped, living for the weekends.
Realization and Change
I realized that living for the weekends was unsustainable. Influenced by motivational speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, I knew I had to change. In May 2019, I made the difficult decision to resign. Despite the good pay and stable income, I felt a lack of freedom, reminiscent of high school days with rigid schedules. University, on the other hand, offered independence, allowing me to plan my days, which I thrived on.
Pursuing Passion
After leaving my corporate job, I turned my side business into my full-time endeavor. Initially, it was challenging, especially in an expensive city like Amsterdam. However, six months later, the business began to pick up. Leaving the corporate world was one of my best decisions. I now wake up excited for work, integrating it into my life because I love what I do. I no longer need weekends to relax, as my work is fulfilling.
Challenging Societal Norms
A Reddit thread titled “How do you get out of bed every morning just to go to a job?” resonated with me. The top comment suggested that jobs are merely for paying bills, not for fulfillment. I strongly disagree. Work should not make you miserable. If you’re unhappy, take action. Life is too short to spend it on unfulfilling work.
Empowering Others
Through my platform, I aim to spread this message. While financial responsibilities like supporting family or paying mortgages are real, consider exploring side hustles or career pivots. If you’re not happy, do something about it. You spend a significant portion of your life working, so ensure it’s meaningful.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my high school struggles with procrastination and depression, I transformed myself into a high-performing student, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Now, I teach others through my “Transform Your Grades in 30 Days” course, offering mentoring and guidance. If you’re ready to level up your studying, I look forward to working with you.