Small Mindset, Big Job: My Journey from Employee to Entrepreneur
Change your mindset, and life will follow
- Introduction
Every day felt like a repeat — waking up early, rushing through traffic, sitting at the same desk, hearing the same instructions, and waiting for payday at the end of the month. It wasn’t just a job; it was a loop. A comfortable prison. For years, I lived like that, hiding my dreams behind deadlines. But one day, one decision changed everything.
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Part 1: The Job That Felt Like a Trap
On paper, my life looked “perfect.” A secure job in a respected company, a decent salary, benefits, and seven years of experience. But deep down, I was unhappy. I was not growing, just aging.
I was stuck in a routine. Same work, same people, same problems. Promotions were rare and often political. My efforts were overlooked, and my creativity was fading. Every time I thought about quitting, fear would grip me — What if I fail? What if it gets worse?
So, I stayed. Trapped in comfort and afraid of the unknown.
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Part 2: The Turning Point
One night, scrolling mindlessly through YouTube, I stumbled upon a video titled "Why You’ll Never Be Rich Working 9 to 5." I almost skipped it, but something made me click.
The speaker wasn’t flashy — just a regular guy who left his job to start an online business. He talked about fear, risk, and how “security” is often the biggest trap. That video hit me like a punch in the gut.
I paused, replayed, and finally said to myself: “If he can do it, why not me?”
That night, I wrote one sentence in my notebook:
“I will never rely on one paycheck again.”
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Part 3: The Side Hustle Begins
I didn’t quit my job immediately. I needed to be smart. I started learning graphic design online — mostly through free YouTube tutorials and apps like Canva. At first, I just made logos for friends or fake projects for practice.
Soon, I signed up on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. I offered to design business cards and Instagram posts at very low prices just to get reviews. It was slow, frustrating, and often unpaid. But it was real. It was mine.
Every night after work, I would sit for 2–3 hours and build my freelance profile. I failed many times. Some clients ghosted me. Some gave harsh feedback. But with every failure, I learned something.
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Part 4: The Leap of Faith
After a year, my side hustle started paying more than my full-time job. I couldn’t believe it. The shy guy who once feared quitting now felt powerful.
Still, leaving a secure job wasn’t easy. People around me said I was crazy. “You’re lucky to have a job,” they said. “Don’t risk it.”
But I had already tasted freedom — freedom of time, freedom to choose, freedom to create.
One Monday morning, instead of dressing for work, I drafted my resignation letter. I was scared — but more excited. I was finally choosing myself.
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Part 5: Life as a Business Owner
Today, I run a small design and marketing agency. It’s not a big company, but it’s mine. I work with clients across the world. I choose my hours. I make mistakes and take responsibility — but I also enjoy every success because it’s fully earned.
I’m not just making more money — I’m growing as a person. I read more, think more, and help others who are where I once was.
I’ve hired two part-time freelancers who were struggling just like I was. Helping them gives me more joy than I ever got from monthly bonuses in my old job.
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Conclusion: Lessons Learned
Quitting your job isn’t the goal — taking control of your life is.
I didn’t wake up rich one day. I worked late nights, faced rejection, and doubted myself a hundred times. But I kept going.
If you’re stuck in a job that drains your energy, start building something on the side. Learn, try, fail, and try again. The internet has opened doors for those who are willing to walk through them.
No one is coming to rescue you — and that’s okay. Because once you take that first step, you’ll realize you were your own rescue all along.
About the Creator
Misbah
Collector of whispers, weaver of shadows. I write for those who feel unseen, for moments that vanish like smoke. My words are maps to places you can’t return from
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