Have You Been in this situation? Need help

12 replies
Hey there warrior forum! Hope your year is going great so far.
So i've been on this forum for years and I have gotten great information out of it thanks to all of you who contribute. But i have a question for you "seasoned" or veteran marketers out there.

I am currently stuck in a dilemma and contemplating my future years. I've been working as a civil engineer for about 4 years now, and the pay is great, aside from the long work days due to projects. I am currently 26 and I don't find my job fulfilling as I once did, and am currently working on fitness as a part time hobby (training people, etc and managing a fitness website) on weekends. I have worked to get decent traffic to my website and are now working on marketing. Onto my dilemma.

I am contemplating studying and taking a few more exams to further enhance my career (that I don't currently enjoy, hoping there will be better positions, etc) OR just sticking at my CURRENT job and focusing on IM part time. The thing is, if I don't further enhance my career, AND I don't succeed at IM, I'm going to be in a little rut. The thing is, If i do enhance my career, it will be full time studying for a while. AND i'll have to put IM off for a long time.

I find that IM is my passion and I love article writing and I find it challenging and really fulfilling (when sales convert)
I had to turn to the warrior forum, because NOBODY and I mean NOBODY understands when I ask for opinion. Everyone is constantly telling me to further my career studies and get a job and work until retirement like everyone else. Nobody understands what IM can really do for someone if they really try at it. Am I aiming at a dream that is too high? Should I focus on furthering my career, or stay at my unfulfilling job and hope things work out in IM?

I hope some of you warriors will give me good insight on what I should do, and If some of you have been in a similar situation where "the chips were going all in" I'd love to hear your story.
#need help #situation
  • Profile picture of the author azgold
    I am not a seasoned veteran but it sounds to me like you know what you want to do but are scared to take the plunge. Don't blame you but I imagine with a plan and some preparation, you could transition from engineering to full-time IMing. Wish I could offer something in the way of doing that but I don't feel qualified to do so.

    If it were me, I'd consider how much I need/want to make a month before giving up my day job. Once I hit it and didn't drop below for a few months, that's when I'd make the switch.

    Of course, I have no idea if you have a family to support. You may want a backup plan to make you feel more secure.

    Again, just my thoughts on your situation, I am not an expert.
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Anthony
    For what it's worth, and I am no seasoned IM veteran, you have to go with what is putting food on the table right here and now, unless you are lucky enough to have free housing and meals.

    I am currently unemployed from a job i HATE, and I'm desperately trying to make IM work for me. I'm getting closer, but I don't have anything for sale yet. But with family to feed, if a job came up tomorrow I'd have to take it and do IM on the side, even though that's the very last thing I want.

    You can always find time for IM if you really want it badly enough.

    Just to finish off, you can't expect others to decide your life path for you. That has to come from within. Time for some soul searching I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Tandan
    Great question and thanks for your honesty.
    Sounds like you've pretty much answered your own question. You find your current career unfulfilling. And you're only 26. Regardless of promotions and pay increases, how do you suppose you'll feel when you're 30?

    Next, you've said that IM is your passion. Many get into to it to chase money, but if you actually enjoy the work and LOVE article writing, you're well ahead of the game. An old mentor once told me, 'do what you love and the money will come'.

    From personal experience, I spent 5 years in a career I hated just for the good money and potential for advancement. Hated it, started hating my life. Cost me a marriage. Definitely not worth it.

    Consider using the time you'd invest in training to further your current career, and invest in training in your IM career. If you like this industry as much as you say and already have relevant skills, you'll find it immensely more fulfilling than your current career.

    Best of luck and thanks for your post.
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  • Profile picture of the author andybeveridge
    Never get to the stage where you look back and say I wish I had....

    At the same time you have to do what puts bread on your plate but you can still map out your future. You have to go with what makes you happy. Life is short, so live it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Anthony
    Forgot to add that you're young enough to put your studies off for a year. Dedicate your next year to staying in the same job but working like hell at IM-img while you have time, and if you're getting nowhere reconsider your studies.
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  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    The dream of making a decent living from IM'ng or any other online venture remains just that for many people, a dream...
    Yeah most people can make a few $ online but turning that into a sustainable business that will give you a decent income is where most fall short.

    My advice is always the same, get into IM'ng and if you reach the point where you are replicating your current income or close to it do you start thinking about quitting your day job.....

    Good Luck
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  • Profile picture of the author goldbear
    Hi Vojohn,
    I'm an old dude, a retired Doctor, so I've lived a little. The best advice I can give you is to begin to build your internet business while you work at your present job. You need to listen to your heart. Look for your passion in life. You're young enough to do what I suggest. In 3-5 years you can build an internet business large enough so you can leave your present job and devote your efforts to full time internet marketing. Do not listen to anyone else who diminishes your dreams. You're better than that....listen to you heart.
    Goldbear
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    This is my website, I think you'll like it!

    http://www.dailydollarstreams.com

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  • Profile picture of the author alliance
    I consider online income as passive income and building digital assets. I have a successful Offline Business that covers overhead. Since I find stocks, fixed income and real estate generally unattractive, my online income and digital assets are considered an investment portfolio. I would not recommend leaving your Offline career at age 26 until you can fully replaced Offline income and have built a solid portfolio of digital assets. We must remember that we're living in uncharted economic times. All the Best.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Enhance your career and don't quit your job until you have at least a years' living expenses saved up and are making what you need to make to support yourself via IM.

    A lot of people never succeed at a full time career online. Maybe you will, maybe you won't. Don't be left out in the cold if you don't.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kate Smith
    Starting up in this business is hard. Get the online business ready before you leave the other one.

    Most people who try this do not make it.

    Kate
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  • Profile picture of the author Moneymaker2012
    Hi,
    If you really want to fulfill your dreams So it require hardworking and hardworking save your time from any useless thing continue your Job and studies and i free time put your effort on IM it would be possible that you'll not succeeded in start but never give up and try again.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I am contemplating studying and taking a few more exams to further enhance my career (that I don't currently enjoy, hoping there will be better positions, etc) OR just sticking at my CURRENT job and focusing on IM part time. The thing is, if I don't further enhance my career, AND I don't succeed at IM, I'm going to be in a little rut. The thing is, If i do enhance my career, it will be full time studying for a while. AND i'll have to put IM off for a long time.
      As I understand it, you are not planning to quit your job to pursue IM. Right? I hope that is the case as the niche you've chosen online is highly competitive and filled with well known names. It will take time to build in the niche to the point where income is sustainable.

      You've been working to built your site - so how much money are you earning monthly from the site and article writing?

      A 26, you have time on your side. If you upgrade your career skills it could lead to a more interesting position - or to a position where you can earn the same money while working less hours. After the required training/education to upgrade your skills, you'd have time to build your internet business.

      By age 30 you could have a better job, higher salary, fewer work hours and a prosperous online business to transition to. You would also have a valuable fall back plan should the IM business fail or fail to grow big enough to support you.

      I would advise you to stop talking to people at work about your future career plans - word gets around and never good to have your employer think you are less than serious about the job you do or less than dedicated to the employer paying you.

      If you plan it right - you can have it all.
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