Why Entrepreneurship and Innovation Starts with Breaking the Corporate Handcuffs

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Imagine yourself in an unusual scenario: you have a great job with a high salary, excellent benefits, and everything anyone could want, but for some reason, you’re unhappy. Why? Well, you might just be trapped in what we call the “corporate handcuffs.” Fortunately for you, it doesn’t have to be this way! I’m here to help you do just that with some advice on how you can break free and start finding your true calling!

What Exactly Are “The Corporate Handcuffs?”

It’s no secret that companies offer all kinds of incentives to try and get you to stay onboard for as long as possible…even when you don’t want to. Corporations offer the business world a lot, but they aren’t exactly focused on your best interests. They want you to stay, and they’ll often give you perks to encourage that, even at the expense of your dreams.

If you’re not careful, these corporate incentives can lead you right into the corporate handcuff trap. It can be hard to escape this trap, but even harder to notice when you’ve fallen into it. Luckily, there are parts of your life you can look at to help you see whether you’re caught in the corporate handcuffs–that way, you can do the most important thing, and start getting out!

So, Why Are You Handcuffed At All?

People can’t often pinpoint exactly why they feel stuck at their corporate job. Chances are, you have many reasons why you feel beaten down and worn out, but looking at the reasons in words, rather than as jumbled thoughts, often helps you get a clear sense of the problem.

Think about yourself and your current situation in regards to each of these factors:

• Money: Do you feel like your salary is too high to give up? Does your job require deferred compensation? Are you afraid of losing steady income? What if you can’t find a job that pays as much? What if your dream is less lucrative? Can you afford to leave now, or will your lifestyle catch up with me?
• Benefits: Does your company offer great healthcare, stock options, bonuses, lots of PTO, or a great retirement plan? Are you afraid that leaving a job with great benefits will impact your health, lifestyle, or future? Do you worry that if you leave, you won’t get a better deal elsewhere?
• Family: Does your family life make job insecurity a non-starter? Is leaving worth it, or will it affect your children’s lives and comfort? What if leaving means your children have to change lifestyles, schools, or even their home?
• Fear of Failure: What if you follow your dreams, but in the end, you don’t succeed? Will you have given up your cushy job and great benefits for nothing? What if your family and friends ridicule you or say, “I told you so?”
• Emotional Baggage: Do you have responsibilities and feelings of obligation? Maybe you hate your job, but your boss isn’t really a bad person. Do you have an obligation to stay for them? Will they be disappointed if you leave?

Thoughts like these can paralyze anyone looking to break the cycle of burnout and career misery, but they can’t hold you back. With the right start, you can change your career trajectory. Here’s how to do it!

How To Get Out of the Corporate World And Follow Your Dreams

1. Acknowledge the Problem

Admit that you’re unhappy–without this step, you can’t even begin to find a way out of the corporate handcuffs. Try writing down the reasons why you feel unhappy. A toxic work culture? Lack of purpose? Bad work-life balance? Poor physical health? Seeing the reasons behind your own dissatisfaction in black-and-white can kick your brain into gear and make you realize that you have to start the process of breaking free.

2. Find Your Dream

We all have dreams and aspirations, but sometimes our work life buries them or places them on the back burner. Try rediscovering your dreams or separating them from your current life. Think about whether your current job aligns with what you value most about yourself and the world. Are you anywhere close to matching your values, or do you need a total vibe shift? Write down a few goals and see where you’re at; then you can start searching for your real passion.

3. Get Planning

No matter how big of a break you make, escaping the corporate world is going to come with costs. Getting your finances in order and ready for a change can make the transition easier. Can you spend less on certain luxuries to account for a change in income? What comforts have you gotten used to that you might be willing to lose in exchange for more freedom and happiness? If you see burnout coming, you can even get a head start at building a stronger future by putting as much money into savings as you can. Then, when you make the change you need, you can feel more secure.

4. Make Your Exit Strategy

There might be a few ducks you need to get in a row before you leave your current situation. Is there free time during your work day or after hours? Use it to plan, build up side hobbies related to your dream, or even invest in personal development. Do this in parallel with your corporate job until you feel you have a strong-enough foothold to take the leap into your next phase.

5. Ask For Help If You Need It

Breaking out of the corporate world is hard to do, but you don’t have to do it alone. Ask for support and help from family and friends, and don’t be afraid to invest in therapy! You don’t have to ignore the technical side, either! You can seek out mentorship and coaching to help you with the logistical details of changing your circumstances. Also, don’t neglect your health! Stay up-to-date with medical check-ups and keep yourself running on full to make your escape process easier.

Break Free of the Handcuffs!

Corporate burnout and feeling handcuffed should never be an option! If you’re feeling the weight of it all and need a change to follow your dreams and become who you want to be, you’re not alone by any means! Others have done the hard work and succeeded, and so can you. Hopefully, by following these steps and lessons, you can make the big changes you need to make and start your new life on the right foot!