Quitter

Your dream job isn’t going to fall into your lap – you have to hustle, plan, and stay positive to make it happen.

1. Start with your current job, not by quitting it.

Jumping ship without a backup plan might seem bold, but it’s often reckless. Jon Acuff argues that keeping your day job initially is essential to avoid financial distress and strained relationships. Quitting prematurely can turn necessities like paying bills into dire mini-bosses ruling your life.

Staying employed while exploring your dream buys you time to carefully evaluate opportunities. For Acuff, staying employed gave him the freedom to reject bad offers, like a poorly structured first book contract. Being desperate and jobless might force you into hasty, regretful decisions.

Additionally, staying in your job helps safeguard your mindset. Being passive without daily responsibilities can foster uncertainty and unhappiness. A steady job anchors you while you build the future you want.

Examples

• Bills like electricity and health insurance can pile up and dictate your choices if you quit too soon.
• Acuff rejected an unfair publishing contract because he had steady income.
• A lack of structure during unemployment can breed procrastination and anxiety.

2. Rediscover your dream through hinge moments.

Not everyone has a clear vision of their dream job. Acuff encourages reflecting on past moments that sparked joy or direction in your life. Ask yourself what you’ve loved doing before, instead of pondering a broad “What do I want to do with my life?”

Hinge moments often act as subtle turning points. They can appear insignificant initially but nudge you toward a meaningful pursuit. These are the moments when you felt engaged, inspired, or alive.

Acuff shares how realizing his love for writing stemmed from an early moment in third grade. His teacher had him write a book as an alternative project, and the small act of binding it made it feel real. Revisiting these moments can rekindle your connection to an old passion.

Examples

• Bono’s first visit to Ethiopia tugged at his heartstrings, later inspiring his anti-poverty initiatives.
• Acuff’s third-grade writing project shaped his future passion as an author.
• Reflection on past joys can bring clarity to what truly excites you.

3. Put risks into perspective with a telescope, not a magnifying glass.

Pursuing your dream doesn’t come without dangers, but obsessing over risks can paralyze you. Acuff explains how seeing risks through exaggerated lenses can make them seem larger or more complex than they really are.

Through a magnifying glass, risks become overblown. Through a kaleidoscope, they intersect chaotically, making things feel messier than they are. Instead, view them through a telescope – from a safe distance, where they’re manageable.

Perfectionism is one such risk. Focusing on being perfect can stall your progress. Instead, aim for “good enough” and launch your ideas while continuing to improve them. This mindset helps you keep moving toward your dream without being stifled by fear.

Examples

• Acuff took leaps like quitting his job and moving his family, but stayed measured in his approach.
• Viewing risks this way helped him manage the transition without being overwhelmed.
• Perfectionists often delay progress, while small steps forward lead to growth.

4. Use your day job as a stepping stone.

Your current job, even if uninspiring, can offer resources to steer you toward your dream. Acuff highlights how day jobs provide financial stability, a testing ground for skills, and moments to cultivate purpose.

While working at AutoTrader.com, Acuff honed his writing skills in a professional setting, which translated to his career as an author and public speaker. He also learned to experiment with low stakes, something early-stage entrepreneurs often overlook.

Finding meaning in your day job can also boost your morale. By aligning aspects of his current work with his larger purpose, Acuff began using his job as a way to help others, which empowered him.

Examples

• Acuff’s marketing job allowed chances to improve communication and clarity in his writing.
• Experimenting in a safe environment leads to less strain and fewer mistakes.
• Helping coworkers at his job gave him a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

5. Ditch rigid plans and embrace practice.

A strict plan might feel like the best route to success, but life is too unpredictable for that. Instead, Acuff suggests practicing and developing your skills over time. By focusing on small actions rather than an inflexible strategy, you’ll grow naturally.

For instance, visiting places or reading blogs related to your dream gives you insights without the overwhelming pressure of succeeding overnight. Practice allows you to make mistakes while staying under the radar.

Sergey Brin of Google echoed this by saying that Google improved daily because they focused on gradual changes instead of rushing. Similarly, your dream will flourish with patience and experimentation.

Examples

• Practice making mistakes in an environment where no one’s watching, like a blog with a small audience.
• Sergey Brin embraced steady improvement rather than perfection.
• A soccer player sharpens skills through repetitive drills, not just following game plans.

6. Hustle wisely to push progress.

Dream jobs won’t magically happen – effort and hustle are required. Acuff recommends using early mornings to do your best work because distractions are minimal. This allows you to set a productive tone for the rest of the day.

Night owls, on the other hand, may lose focus during the day while eagerly awaiting the evening. Avoid this by prioritizing tasks that advance your dream first thing in the morning.

Measuring progress is also important but keep it personal. Comparing yourself to others can lead to discouragement or arrogance. Track progress to motivate yourself, not to define your worth.

Examples

• Acuff wrote in early mornings to stay disciplined and maintain momentum.
• Night owls sometimes lose focus due to “short-timer's disease.”
• Tracking progress encourages growth but comparing metrics, like blog visitors, can be demoralizing.

7. Define success on your own terms.

Success shouldn’t be tied to vague notions of “making it.” Acuff warns that when success becomes limitless, you’ll never feel satisfied. Instead, clearly define what “enough” looks like for you.

Fame or recognition can change how others treat you and distort how you perceive yourself. Overconfidence after success was one cause of the 2008 financial crisis, where unchecked egos led to risky decisions.

Acuff combats this by reflecting on his own benchmarks of success. He paves his vision with reminders of what he already values, like family and stability, instead of endlessly chasing more.

Examples

• High-achieving athletes sometimes feel dissatisfied even after winning championships.
• Acuff writes emails to his future self, reminding himself what “enough” means.
• The financial crisis stemmed partly from leaders’ unchecked arrogance.

8. Know when to quit for your dream.

Quitting your job is a big step, and Acuff stresses doing it at the right time. Ensure your dream job is ready to fill your days, and test it beforehand to confirm it’s a good fit.

A strong support network also eases the transition. Acuff leaned on his family and close relationships when making his career leap. They offered both emotional support and practical help.

Setting boundaries further smoothens your shift. Acuff’s mistake of overcommitting to speaking events caused stress at home. Planning these limits ahead helps you avoid such mistakes and transition into your dream with confidence.

Examples

• Test jobs or freelance gigs can gauge if your dream is viable long-term.
• Acuff’s family supported him during his Nashville move.
• Pre-set boundaries ensure your dream doesn’t negatively affect your personal life.

9. Avoid negativity about your current job.

Separating your identity from your day job can lead to disengagement and unhappiness. Instead, reframe the value your job provides, such as social connections, resources, or opportunities to grow.

An accountant dreaming of becoming an artist might feel detached if they deny their job’s legitimate benefits. But seeing work as a pathway to a better future helps them stay motivated.

Acuff highlights that even mundane jobs can lead to fulfilling contributions. He raised $60,000 during a recession and helped fund schools in Vietnam – a reminder that day jobs can still create impact.

Examples

• A musician proudly says, “As a musician…” because their dream defines them.
• Redefining work as a stepping stone can energize your day-to-day life.
• Acuff used his blog to raise funds for a meaningful cause while still at his job.

Takeaways

1. Spend mornings working on tasks that advance your dream, while your energy and focus are highest.
2. Define what “enough” looks like for your dream job to avoid endless dissatisfaction.
3. Use your current job to learn, practice, and build purpose, instead of rushing to quit.