🕐 Last updated: March 26, 2025

If you are not familiar with the movement of the the Great Resignation, according to Bing.com, it is this:

“The Great Resignation, also known as the Big Quit, is the ongoing trend of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs, from spring 2021 to the present, primarily in the United States. The resignations have been characterized as in response to the pandemic, the American government refusing to provide necessary worker protection, and wage stagnation despite rising costs of living.”

I recently retired from my corporate job of 26 years to fully focus on my Life Coaching business and write more books.

This was not an easy decision. I envy the millennials who “took the leap”, whilst I did more of a slow walk and timidly glanced over the ledge. Nonetheless, I did it!

I wanted to but felt the need to stay at “a normal job” due to the security of salary and 401k benefits, etc.

One day, a wonderful lady reached out on LinkedIn and ask to have a chat. She is a business coach and said profound words that were my ah-ha moment, “You can’t have your foot on the brake AND the gas and go anywhere”.

She nudged me to set a date and commit to being ok with wherever my business was on that day.

Starting Your Own Business is Not for The Weak:

When sharing the news with friends and family, I got a lot of mixed reactions. Recently, I got this, “some of us have to work”. Wait, what?

For almost 4 years, I’ve been working both my business AND my corporate job. My business takes WORK, every…single…day.

Any entrepreneur or small business owner has heard, “you’re so lucky” or “it must be nice to have all that free time”. GAH!

Just because we don’t go to an office or report to anyone does not mean we aren’t working.

I have one employee, my daughter, who has helped me grow my business. Her wise words at the start were not understood until now, “mom, it takes time to grow your SEO and your business”. How true this is.

I didn’t know marketing is the biggest part, I didn’t know about technology and SEO’s or social media marketing.

Whether you or your friends have a business, an MLM, or a side hustle, I applaud you. It takes guts and the overcoming of fears to trudge through unchartered waters.

Here are a few tips on staying driven, focused, motivated and learning what NOT to say to ourselves when doubt creeps in.

4 Tips How to Survive and Thrive After Resigning from Your Job:

1. There is no team in “I”.

The success or failure of your venture is up to you!

How much time you put in, how you believe in what you are doing, and how passionate you are about your “why” should always be the motivating factor. Self-discipline is crucial!

2. Don’t listen to the haters.

If you notice, those who criticize or judge your “little business” are also still on their own hamster wheel of feeling unfulfilled or stuck in their comfort zone.

They probably lack the gumption to take risks and may even be a little jealous of the freedom you have newly obtained.

Don’t take it personal, everyone has a path to walk so put those blinders on.

3. Patience is a virtue.

If there’s anything I’ve learned most, it’s patience (which I have never been good at).

My perspective now is to “build it and they will come”.

Be at peace and enjoy the ride, what is meant for you will come.

4. Instantaneous millionaire.

Nope, don’t expect to make a lot of money right away.

In fact, most businesses take 5 years to make a profit.

It’s not that you won’t make money, but you will most likely invest to continue growth of the business. I remember actually paying myself for the first time, it was so validating.

Use different methods of diversity to bring in income.

For example, I have written books, guest appearances, spiritual readings, and speaking events, and of course the Life Coaching practice. I am consistently trying to think of innovative ways to bring visibility to my business.

Keep going, stay persistent, and believe that you can do it!

Maureen Scanlon.

P.S. You can check more about my journey and read my articles at www.lifecoachmaureen.com.