“After 9 years of working hard to love what I do, it’s time to finally do what I truly love and do it full time!!!Today, I am officially taking off my employee hat!”
This was my Facebook status last 05 August 2013, a status that generated the most number of likes and comments among all my previous Facebook status updates.
My decision to quit my job didn’t happen overnight. It was a result of years of finding my passion, honing it, and using it to serve others.
Let me share with you a very personal story.
A Christmas Story
It was Christmas then and I could hear the happy Christmas songs being played over the radio of a taxi I was riding. We passed by a restaurant and I saw couples and families laughing together. The atmosphere was festive. Everyone looked so happy — except me — and perhaps the taxi driver.
My eyes watered, my breathing became heavy, and suddenly, I felt as if my heart was crushed to pieces. I wanted to cry out loud, “Why do I have to work on Christmas day?!”
I was then working in the call center department of a bank and working on holidays was inevitable.
That happened a few years ago. I felt so bad then that I made a resolution. It was to reach a point wherein I could choose whether to go to work on a certain day or not without bending any rules and without compromising someone else’s time.
Even when I got transferred to another department and I had a regular work schedule, I still missed important family occasions because I only had 20 vacation leaves in a year which I needed to balance for all other activities.
I realized the opportunity cost of being employed is very expensive because it involves time away from your loved ones and from doing what you truly love to do.
What I Like about Working from Home
It’s been a week since I quit my job and I’ve never felt so free and happy! :)I now work from home. I spend about 80% of my time writing. I write books, newsletter articles, talks, etc. And since writing is my passion, I don’t consider it work at all.
What I like about working from home is how simple life gets.
There’s no traffic. The work environment is both homey and conducive. I don’t need to skimp on vacations since I can literally work/write anywhere.
When I get sleepy, I take a nap. When I get hungry, I take my snacks.
When I want to relax in the middle of the day, I can do so. In short, I have the freedom to chart my own course, do what I truly love to do, and spend as much time as I want with my family and friends. 🙂
A Dream Come True
It was as early as 2005 when I realized I was not meant for the corporate world.
At that time, I knew what I did not want but I didn’t know what I want.
It took me years to discover my passion in writing and public speaking, to hone these passions, and to serve others through my passions.
For years, I saw my work as a sacrifice. I had to go to work every single working day because my work was my only bread and butter. I had to force myself to love my job even if my job stressed me out.
I’ve been wanting to quit my job for the past few years but I couldn’t because at that time, I wasn’t ready yet. It was a test of patience and perseverance.
A Dream Come True
After years of hard work and perseverance, I finally quit my job! It’s a dream come true! The best part is that I could pursue my passions full time! 🙂
The Power of Education
I used to think that being employed is the single most effective way of earning for a living.
It was only when I started to read self-help books and attend seminars when I learned that there are so many noble ways of putting food on the table.
As Bo Sanchez puts it,
There are so many wonderful ways of putting food on the table. Why pick something that you don’t enjoy and n which you’re not effective or productive?
Your reward for work should not only be your salary. It should be who you are becoming because of your work.
How true.
If your current work is something you don’t love and you want to explore how to work from home, read this short but insightful notes about working from home.
I wish you success and happiness!
Cheers!
Sha Nacino
P.S. My friend Jomar Hilario will conduct a seminar on August 17 (Saturday). His goal is to teach you how to work-from-home. Read the details here.
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Sha Nacino is one of the most sought-after Filipino motivational speakers in the Philippines. She is the bestselling author of the books Money&Me, Mission Happiness, plus 7 other books.
Sha is the founder of The 90-Day Book Writing Challenge where she helps first time authors write their books. She also writes for Bo Sanchez's TrulyRichClub newsletters.
She regularly gives talks on Personal Finance, Happiness, Purpose, Success Principles, etc. If you wish to invite Sha to speak in your company or events, visit shanacino.com or email her at sha@seminarphilippines.com.
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Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
Sha Nacino is one of the most sought-after Filipino motivational speakers in the Philippines. She is the bestselling author of the books Money&Me, Mission Happiness, plus 7 other books.
Sha is the founder of The 90-Day Book Writing Challenge where she helps first time authors write their books. She also writes for Bo Sanchez's TrulyRichClub newsletters.
She regularly gives talks on Personal Finance, Happiness, Purpose, Success Principles, etc. If you wish to invite Sha to speak in your company or events, visit shanacino.com or email her at sha@seminarphilippines.com.
Hi Sha, I can definitely relate with your story I am also working with the BPO for six years and I can relate with you not having Christmas and even New Years with your family. And being stress out due to changing time schedules and errands to accomplished on time. And just like you I am doing it just to make money and not because this is what I love to do. I hope I can attend your seminars and public speaking engagement so that I will be able to learn from your experiences. In that way I will be able to speed up my success with your success. I hope I will be able to get the free eBook soon and will be able to buy the hard copy of the e book How to Write a Book. Thanks.
7 Comments
Ed Calaycay
contact list is full. 🙁
Sally Ortiz
Congrats Sha! All the best on your new journey.
Sha Nacino
Thank you, Sally! 🙂
Red Tolentino
Congrats Ate Sha, you deserve it 🙂
Elvin @ Journey To Millions
Congratulations Sha. I’m glad that you’re now pursuing your passion full time! 🙂 Enjoy your journey!
Daria
Thank you for your articles. You are an inspiration. Soon, I’ll be able to say that too. 🙂
michael angelo
Hi Sha, I can definitely relate with your story I am also working with the BPO for six years and I can relate with you not having Christmas and even New Years with your family. And being stress out due to changing time schedules and errands to accomplished on time. And just like you I am doing it just to make money and not because this is what I love to do. I hope I can attend your seminars and public speaking engagement so that I will be able to learn from your experiences. In that way I will be able to speed up my success with your success. I hope I will be able to get the free eBook soon and will be able to buy the hard copy of the e book How to Write a Book. Thanks.