Quitting My Dayjob To Be A Full-Time Photographer

TL;DR

A mechanical engineer quits to pursue photography and spend time with his children.

Transcript

[Applause] [Applause] [Applause] so i just put in my two weeks notice to quit my day job before you get a little too ahead of yourself it's not because specifically because i'm quitting 100 to just be a photographer but it also comes down to my personal values as far as being able to stay at home and take care of my kids as you guys seen in other v... Read More

Key Insights

• 👪 Personal values, such as family and fulfillment, should guide major career decisions.
• ❓ Transitioning from a stable job to a creative pursuit like photography can incite both excitement and apprehension.
• 🪡 A supportive partner can provide the stability needed to take risks in pursuing one's passions.
• 😑 The speaker’s motivation centers on being a role model for his children by expressing passion for work.
• 👪 The speaker's experience highlights the emotional struggles of working parents who desire to prioritize family.
• 👪 A balance between family life and career aspirations is vital for personal happiness and satisfaction.
• 🏑 The challenges of entrepreneurship in creative fields require significant commitment and adaptability.

Questions & Answers

Q: What motivated the speaker to quit his mechanical engineering job?

The speaker was motivated to quit due to his desire to spend more time with his young children. He felt that working at a desk for nine hours while paying someone else to care for them was not aligning with his family values. Prioritizing his children took precedence over his engineering career.

Q: How does the speaker feel about his future in photography?

While the speaker expresses excitement about his transition to photography, he also acknowledges doubts. He admits to being risk-averse and not having a significant reason to push his photography business forward since his wife supports the family financially. However, he hopes the change will ignite a drive to develop his business.

Q: What challenges might the speaker face in his new path?

The speaker might face several challenges, including financial instability and the pressure to grow his photography business without relying on a steady paycheck. Additionally, balancing family responsibilities while trying to establish himself in a competitive field like photography could prove difficult.

Q: What values does the speaker emphasize in his decision-making process?

The speaker emphasizes family and personal fulfillment as his core values when making the decision to leave his job. He wants to be present for his children's milestones and create memories of enjoying his work rather than enduring dislike for a job at a desk. These values ultimately drove his choice to prioritize family over career.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker announces his decision to leave his job as a mechanical engineer after several years, prioritizing family over career ambitions. Choosing to focus on raising his children aligns with his personal values.

• He expresses a passion for photography but admits that the business may not grow significantly due to his current circumstances, relying on his wife's income for support.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with his children, hoping to create a positive memory of enjoying his work rather than regretting time spent away from family.