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I recently left my job to go out on my own for the first time. I've been working towards this point for a while, but here's an overview of how I got to the point where I could become a quitter and how you can do the same.

1. Low overhead lifestyle. My wife and I have managed to reduce our expenses to the barest of minimums. We've managed to reduce our rent and utilities to zero. Our insurance, petrol and groceries are our largest expenses now and they come in under a grand. It doesn't take much sales from our business in order to cover those bare necessities. Now we are just looking for products that are base hits instead of home runs. Look to reduce by following the 1 time downside (ie moving) with ongoing upsides (1/2 to 1/4 the cost in rent). Avoid doing things with the opposite costs. Avoid clipping coupons because they incur an ongoing downside with a once off upside.

2. Skill Learning Time. I didn't know everything I needed to know about building an online business, so I gave myself a few hours each day in the lead up to going out on my own. I cut out TV and sleeping in to give me this time without sacrificing work, exercise and family time. Those couple of hours a day were the difference between confidently venturing forth and being scared of the future.

3. Having a backup plan. Having a backup plan reduces the fear of being out on your own. My backup plan is to go back into IT and contract. I can make enough to cover our yearly expenses (if the business has 0 income - worst case scenario) in 3-4 months of contracting. Then I have a window to give the business my full attention again. The company I just left has made it very clear that I am welcome back at any time and they are in a unique position where they are going to be growing even if the economy goes to pot. Figure out a way to make ends meet if your initial plans don't work out and put it on the shelf to help hold the fear at bay.

Those 3 things are simple to say, but can be hard emotionally to do. Addiction to TV or attachment to a high cost area may cause a lot of frustration for those so afflicted. But if going out on your own is your number 1 priority, those 3 items will speed along to the day when you can hang out your own shingle.