If you are good at what you do, you can always find a way to support yourself. If you are good at what you do, you can always make a living.
Feels good to hear that, doesn’t it? So here’s the courageous part. If you’re unhappy with what you currently do (even if you’re good at it), take a shot and leave. If you are just bored, leave. If you want to explore other areas, then leave. If you like the area of law you practice, but want to supplement it with some “real life” experience (operations, sales, entrepreneurism), leave for a while.
Your current job (or one just like it) will likely be waiting for you if you want to come back.
And remember, leave smart. Go in-house with a current client (and leave the possibility open to return to your firm.) Branch out with your own firm (and be sure to network and send business to colleagues and competitors alike.) Leave law altogether with that new website or consulting practice or hair-brained idea (and be sure to have a nice cushion to cover start-up costs).
And if it doesn’t totally work out, you can likely get your old job back. But by that time, you might have created and encountered so many other opportunities, you won’t want it.
Thank you, those are wise word Casey. But how do you deal with a worried spouse?