I was talking to a mildly famous internet marketer not so long ago and we were exchanging experiences of starting work online.
For him, a successful banker, the decision involved changing a lifestyle rather than just increasing his income.
As in my case, many friends had told him that he was better off where he was, with a steady, well paid job and a good degree of security behind him.
This is not an uncommon finding amongst friends, especially those that have no idea whatsoever what internet marketing is all about.
Parents are another species altogether! My friend describe how, one day, he was driving near his parents' home and decided to drop in for a cup of coffee.
The ulterior motive was to announce that he was quitting his day job in favor for a full time career devoted to internet marketing.
He had to tread carefully - his parents were already suspicious of his moonlighting on the internet at odd times of the day.
The expected happened.
His parents were incredulous that he could give up his highly respected finance-related job and put the livelihood of himself, his wife and growing family in jeopardy.
They could no see through the anguish and angst he was suffering at the hands of his employers and the stress he was under most of the time.
He was, after all, at the beck and call of his bosses and often had to take work at short notice and at unsociable hours of the day.
He realised that a career in internet marketing would give him back the control he was looking for and, not only that, give him extra income and security that would guarantee the wellbeing of his family forever.
He made the decision despite what others were saying.
He never regretted it then and now has a very profitable business and a lifestyle to be admired.
That cup of coffee is often talked about when he meets his parents.
they never apologised for doubting his motives but they are glad he didn't listen to them