How Breaking Free of the Corporate Handcuffs Can Kickstart Your Entrepreneurial Revival

We’ve all felt burnt out at one time or another, but sometimes burnout doesn’t stop, and all of a sudden, it turns into a long, dark tunnel that seems to have no end. Then, eventually, you wake up and realize that something needs to change. But can you change, or are you stuck where you are forever? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding, “No!” You can always make changes and break free from corporate burnout, and here is a complete guide on how to do it!

Understanding the Corporate Handcuffs

You might not often think about terms like “the corporate handcuffs,” but whether you think about them or not, they exist. So, what exactly are these handcuffs? Simply put, they’re the ways a company or business tries to keep you working for them as long as possible, not necessarily for your own good. The work might be brutal, but if your company offers you good pay, nice bonuses, acceptable vacation time, and a good health plan, you might just shrug your shoulders and endure the pain in case you can’t find a better option. Let that go on, and suddenly, you might find yourself trapped at a dead end, hating where you are but feeling unable to do anything about it.

How Do People Get Handcuffed to Corporate Jobs?

Exactly how people get trapped in the corporate handcuffs is a complex question, but generally, it comes down to a few key considerations:

Finances

If you’re like most people, you take your finances very seriously. Depending on how serious you are about staying financially stable, you might let yourself fall into the corporate trap. A cushy salary and large bonuses can be powerful attractors, but like magnets, if you get pulled in by them, it can often be hard to get unstuck. By the time you’re stuck in a financial hole, having built your lifestyle around your existing salary, the thought of leaving your current circumstances can terrify you and make you abandon your dreams altogether.

Job Perks

Hand-in-hand with your finances is the state of your health and benefits. Companies know that employees need health security for themselves and their families, and if they have the resources, they’ll often offer excellent health insurance packages as a way to keep you tied down. They might even offer other benefits like stick options, PTO, and retirement plans to make staying put even more attractive. Giving up on these perks for the promise of some vague future happiness can be very challenging, and lots of people can’t make the leap because they worry that they won’t end up finding a better deal.

Personal Responsibility

Not everyone has familial obligations to consider when it comes to their work, but if you do, there’s no doubt that they’re among the most important responsibilities you have. If you’re a spouse, parent, or guardian, upending your job security (especially if the job pays well) might be a thought that you never even let cross your mind. Simply visualizing the difficulties your family or children might have to endure if you leave your current job can be crippling, and it can often lead to sleepless nights as you ponder whether your needs are more important than theirs, or whether you’re being selfish in wanting a change of scenery.

Fear

If it’s not obvious, the underlying emotion at the root of all of the above considerations is fear. Fear can take many forms when you’re thinking about changing jobs, and you’ll probably be afraid of a lot more than just money, health, and family. You might be afraid of failure, or of the embarrassment you could face if you leave your “good job” for one that turns out to be worse. You might even feel like you’re disappointing your coworkers or employers. Corporate culture may try to quell these fears, but it’s not always great at doing it, and being afraid of the future is the surest way to stop yourself from breaking the corporate handcuffs before you even start.

What Can You Do To Break the Corporate Handcuffs?

If the considerations above are like a mirror reflecting your own work life, you might wonder what exactly you can do to stop the vicious cycle of corporate burnout and move on. Here’s where to start:

First, Admit There’s an Issue

Think about this in medical terms: if your back is bothering you, you should see a chiropractor. And if your work life is bothering you…you should admit it! The first step to removing your corporate handcuffs is to understand that you aren’t happy. Until you admit this to yourself and resolve to do something about it, you won’t be able to do anything else.

Next, Look at Yourself

Once you’ve admitted the problem, your next step is to do a self-evaluation. What do you truly want out of life? What are your dreams, and where did you go wrong in pursuing them that’s brought you to this burnout? Did you just make one wrong turn, or are you on the complete opposite path than the one you intended to follow? Answering these questions will help you see exactly how much work you need to do to get back on track.

When Ready, Make a Plan

The best spenders and savers make a financial plan every year, and planning is no less important once you’ve determined to make your escape from the corporate handcuffs. Get your financial affairs in order by understanding your savings, planning lifestyle changes, and making way for the future by saving up and being more frugal. Set up failsafes at every turn; remember, while changing jobs can be scary, you don’t have to go into it without a fallback plan! You can and should plan for the risks, and planning will also help you worry less!

Set Yourself Up For Success

Making a plan for the future isn’t just about your job and finances–it’s also about you, the person. Part of setting yourself up for success with a corporate change involves prioritizing your physical and mental health, as well as your qualifications. Get yourself into shape, whether it’s through walking, running, yoga, or any other kind of healthy practice. If you need to acquire new skills, start working on them while still at your current job. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, either: family discussions, therapy, and even corporate mentorship can help you achieve your goals. Much like planning for a loved one’s long-term care, changing jobs is not just a “you” process. It’s best done with a support system that can help you make the transition easier.

Don’t Waste Time Thinking About Breaking Free!

Breaking free of the corporate handcuffs isn’t a simple task–it’s a comprehensive job that impacts your finances, health, and well-being. But, when it’s done right, it can be life-changing. If you’re stuck in the dead-end, don’t wait! Think about your path forward right now, so you don’t regret it later.