The next time youre moodily sitting in your office, wishing you were living your dream instead, answer the following questions or answer them now! Theyll give you a sense of whether or not nows the time to make the break.

1. My job is making me crazy; so crazy Id do anything to quit.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

2. If I left my job for my dream, Im not sure what Id do first, or even how Id begin it.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

3. My boss runs my life or ruins it. I feel completely misunderstood and trapped by this job. I dont even know if I could quit how would I survive? Who would even hire me?

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

4. I hate this job but I really need the money. I dont see any other viable alternative.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

5. If I stay at my work just a little longer, I stand a good chance of getting a promotion and a raise. Then I could find my way clear to saving a little money for my dream.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

   5. Yeah, I could quit my job for my dream, but I could run off to Tahiti, too. Thats way too much risk for my taste.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

6. My spouse/partner is okay with the thought of me quitting my job for my dream. Weve talked it through and he/she sees it as the next thing I need to do.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

7. My spouse/partner fully understands what life will be like when I make the leap to begin my dream. He/she will be there for me, emotionally and even financially if necessary.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

8. I have a business plan for my dream all organized and ready to go. Ive even scoped out sources for capital, and necessary space and materials to get to work.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

9. I have a savings account for my dream with enough to get started, plus an emergency savings account worth 6 months of my general living expenses. Ive also scoped out alternatives to my current health care and insurance.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

   10. Ive been developing a systematic plan for leaving my job for a while now I feel Im almost ready to go.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

   11. I have an adequate support system in place to really help me move ahead with my dream. It includes good friends and advisors, adequate child or elder care, a supportive spouse, and even a coach or mentor.

   1. Highly agree

   2. Mildly agree

   3. Dont really agree

   4. Strongly disagree

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 1-4, youre stuck. Your job has forced you to forget about essential pieces of yourself its time to get some career coaching now.

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 5 & 6, youre a borderline case. You havent yet decided whether your dream is all that important to the quality of your life. Just an experiment, you might want to sit with a blank piece of paper and really brainstorm what it would be like to live your dream.

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 7-11 what are you waiting for? Youve got a plan, youve set up the necessary support and youre good to go; you should be able to weather the inevitable ups and downs. Be sure to allow your company enough notice to make the transition smoothly, so you can leave with glowing reviews. Congratulations!

Copyright 2004 Suzanne Falter-Barns