I Quit My Job
Today Yesterday I resigned from my position as a Programmer Analyst II just 21 days short of 5 years of service. This is also eight and a half months since Amanda quit her job. So in two weeks we will be … jobless.
If you’ve read our blog for a while you’ve probably noticed that my contributions have been few and far between. There is one main reason for this: In July of last year, I started a business.
There are many reasons why we made the decisions we did, but it really comes down to three:
1. Living like no one else, so later we can live like no one else.
Last year while working on our Debt Snowball we started thinking about earning extra income in order to pay off all of our debt more quickly. We brainstormed and decided that although delivering pizza’s and shoving boxes are noble professions, we wanted to invest in something with more lasting rewards. So we started two businesses that match our interests, aptitudes, and abilities. We found so much joy in doing work we wanted to do instead of work we ‘had’ to do. Through this time we have come to know God as provider in a very profound way (more blogs on that later).
2. We had a kid
Kid’s bring a permanent change of perspective. For us it was a priority for Amanda to be home to care for Annabelle so she did not return to her job after giving birth. I would continue working my job and be the sole income. But as the months progressed and I found myself not seeing Annabelle for an entire day due to work obligations I made the decision that phone and email progress reports of how my daughter is growing would not be satisfactory. I want to decide what has priority; the ballet recital or the system upgrade.
3. A picture of my company’s CEO on an elephant
In 2001, while working at USAA I returned from a three week mission trip to find out that my position had been “eliminated”. That day, in a trend that would continue for a few years, several of the IT staff were let go, to be replaced by less expensive college graduates and offshore workers. The event worked out well in my case. I used the severance package to finish my degree in Computer Science at UTSA where Amanda and I met. I don’t hold a grudge from being layed off, but it taught me a valuable lesson. Last year the IT directors and the CEO of my most recent company went on a scouting trip to India to build relationship with outsourcing firms. In what I regard as an example of quality management communication the IT VP held an area-wide meeting to share the reasoning behind the venture and disclose the vision of the partnerships: We (the IT area) were victims of our own success – too much work, too few people; we needed help. The decision to outsource or not is a business decision. But in that meeting I was reminded of the lesson I had learned six years earlier. There is no such thing as a “steady job.” As long as you work for someone else, you work at their pleasure. That day I decided that I would no longer work at the whim of another.
The next few months will have excitement and exhaustion. On a journey of a thousand miles, this is a wonderful first step.
Congrats Daniel! I know you have always been interested in running your own business and I wish you nothing but the best of success!
All the best for your new adventure. I know you will be great!
Hooray for you guys! We’ll pray for great success for your new business.
That is so very exciting! You and Amanda are the coolest people with the coolest businesses! So smart.
We’re praying for you guys!
Dad and I are so proud of you both. I know you will go far in your businesses.
Congrats!
i’m starting a business: coffee delivery service
Yay!! I am so excited for you and Amanda and Ace! We will pray that this transition is a smooth and prosperous one!
Congratulations! That is so awesome! So how did you tell your boss? I’m guessing you didn’t go with any of the ideas discussed over burgers?
Daniel and Amanda I know you will be successful at whatever you set your eyes on. You guys are my motivation. It can be done.
Congratulations! That’s wonderful. I know you can do it. I wish you success and happiness.