I don’t know about you but I’m tired of this rat race. It seems like ever since I started the corporate life 8 years ago, I’ve done nothing but ran on the hamster wheel. I’ve chased the money, and while I made more, I spent more, acquired more debt, and now I’m emotionally drained. I look in the mirror and I don’t even recognize who I am anymore. I’ve changed a lot over the near decade, and I confess that I’ve fully allowed the corporate world to consume my soul. 
 
I’m tired. I want to take life less seriously. I want to laugh more (like all day long), enjoy the people and places around me, and just love the life I live without worrying about money, debt, deadlines, or anything else. And you know, 2025 is the year I’m going to make that my reality. Here’s exactly how I plan to achieve that (with timelines):
 
Step 1: Create an escape plan.
1. Write down every detail of your heart’s desires. Whether that’s running the hottest nail salon in the heart of a fast-paced city, or living off grid in the woods of a secluded island. No Matter how big or small your dream may be, how far or close to reach it seems, write it down.

2. Write down the skills you need to accomplish this.
Do you need to work on your social media marketing skills? What about face to face business development and networking skills? Or even basic accounting to manage your business’ finances. Remember, you have to think bigger than just the product/ service you intend to offer and don’t get discouraged as you explore areas that are new to you.
 
3. Write down what kind of equipment, tools, supplies, facilities, etc you need to start.
While it’s easy to remember the larger items such as the rental space and business signs don’t forget the miscellaneous items such as cleaning supplies, lights, desks and any services worth outsourcing for your business.
 
4. Budget – Write down the start up costs for the equipment, rent, utilities, maintenance.
Now that you know what you need to get started, figure out how much it’ll cost you for the first three months of operating. Do your research and create an excel sheet for accuracy.
 
 5. Take note of who would be a good resource that can help you get started.
Did great aunt Carol run a bakery and have the gift of gab with her customers? And how’s your social media guru friend Stacy? Not sure if you realized it yet, but everyone in your circle has unique skills that could compliment yours. Whoever it is you’re thinking of while reading this, hone into their strengths and figure out how you can learn from them.
 
 6. Create a timeline
Here’s an example of what my six-month timeline looked like: 
– March: Create the escape plan.
– June: Sell my rental property to lower my debt.
– July & August: Save, start building my business as a side gig, and resign from my job.
– September: The Start Of Something New *High School Musical melody playing in the background*
 
Step 2: Create a back up plan.
Now if your escape plan isn’t feasible right now, let’s assess what you’re looking for to make you happy before you can get there. Was it that you wanted a job that provides a space to be creative with flexible hours? Perhaps you love the field you’re in but your dream is to carry that out in a warmer or slower paced environment. For some, the dream is a very specific picture, for others, its qualities that a certain lifestyle can provide.
 
With this in mind, let’s go back to the hottest nail salon example. As a start up the rent and other overhead are likely too high to even fathom right now. Starting the business mobile, or in a smaller space that isn’t as centrally located might be what’s right for you at this moment. Whatever it is, just make sure your plan is flexible and can be adapted as you go through your journey.
 
Step 3: Pray over it. Ask God to make it happen but only if it is His will for your life. And if it is not His will, ask him for His plans to come into fruition – because only He can handcraft our desires perfectly for us. I know sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith and control of our own direction, but remember these two scriptures:
 
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
 
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 
Step 4: Initiate the escape plan.
Remember to stick to keep your promise to yourself and carry out your plan because there’s never a perfect time. Throughout these years, you’ve kept promises for so many other people,  it’s time you keep this one for yourself. You might be thinking it’s best to wait until you have 6 more month’s of savings before you start and you could very well be right. But if those 6 months pass and you’re still feeling this way, you may just have to bite the bullet and jump right into it. Otherwise, another 6 months and eventually 8 more years of your life will pass and you’ll regret the time you wasted.