Whether you’re an entrepreneur or not, I’m sure you know that making the decision to leave your job and go out into the world as a solo business owner can be a scary thing to do. I did it myself two years ago and at first I was like, “Am I really doing this? Oh my gosh, I’m really doing this!” But when I did it, it felt so good. It was exciting. It was freeing! I was free y’all!! This was when I was gifted with the time and mind-space to write my book, Rise & Shine Bright at Work, and it was a priceless experience that I will never forget.
Although my work and life experiences were indeed priceless that year, there were other things that actually had price tags on them that I couldn’t ignore. Let’s see, rent, monthly subway cards, internet service—I think you get what I’m saying. On top of that, the fact that I was moving to another state from Harlem to Jersey during this time, didn’t help much either. I held on as long as I could until I came to grips with the fact that I needed a steady income. But what I kept grappling over was, “You left the workforce not to go back into the workforce, Yardley!” This is a challenge a lot of entrepreneurs have gone through or are going through right now.
When you’ve made the decision to jump, and you finally follow through with it, I know that the last thing you want to think about is getting another job. Well I want you to know that it’s okay–a side job is okay. If you can avoid it, I say amen and more power to you! That is really amazing. But if you’re living off rice and beans and counting coins to figure out how you’re getting to your upcoming business proposal meeting, then a side gig is a smart thing to have. Here are a couple of things to consider first though.
1. STAY RELATABLE
When I started looking for a part-time opportunity, there’s one thing I vowed to myself and I encourage you to consider this. I would only take a job that’s related to my line of business. Anything else would literally be a waste of time. If you’re a writer, work at a library. If you’re a fashion designer, work at a clothing retail store. When you have a side-job that’s related to your work, you have the opportunity to learn something new, polish your skills, network with others, and if none of that is available, you at least can stay inspired about your work in some way while working in that particular environment.
2. DON’T LOSE IT
Have you at any point allowed your dream work to take up so much of your time, that it can impact your self-care, relationships, your spiritual walk even? Well there’s one thing I want to alert you about—make sure your side-job doesn’t take up all of your time, robbing you of fulfillment in other areas of your life. I write this from experience. I may or may not have gone a little overboard (p.s. I did) when I ended up with 3 jobs at one point. I know, it sounds crazy. I was a baker at a gluten-free bake shop deep in Jersey, a sales associate at a premium olive oil shop in Brooklyn, and a chef’s assistant at a cooking school on the other side of Jersey. Things seemed to work out for a while, that is until I started to lose focus not only on my ultimate work goals, but my spiritual goals as well. My constant on-the-go lifestyle pulled me away from my true work and it pulled me away from my relationship with Jesus. And nothing, absolutely nothing is worse than the latter. I had to make some changes to stop spreading myself so thin and when I did, things got so much better. Thank God!
Navigating this work thing is truly an adventurous journey. From full-time job, to multiple part-time jobs, to another (but related) full-time job, to get to the dream job that you create—you just never know where the path will take you next. I mean really, I never thought I’d be cooking fancy culinary dishes at a restaurant, but here I am! Just be open and humble to where the road leads you, while you keep the ultimate goal in plain sight.
Create a powerful workday and don’t forget to eat your breakfast!
CRUST-LESS BUTTERNUT SQUASH BREAKFAST PIZZA
INGREDIENTS
1 Butternut Squash, cut into ½ inch circular discs
1 Tomato, cut in round slices
1 can of Tomato Sauce
2-3 Eggs, Free-range
A handful of Baby Kale
2 handfuls of Baby Bell Mushrooms
2 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 springs of Thyme
¼ cup of Goat Cheese
Basil
5 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea salt & Black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a pan at medium high heat and add sliced butternut squash. Cook on both sides until browned, and until a fork and easily pierce through
In a separate pan, pour two tablespoons of olive oil into medium high heat and add sliced mushrooms and sauté until cooked, then remove
Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into medium high heat stove-top pan and add finely chopped garlic to pan and sauté until soft, then add sliced tomatoes
Flip tomatoes on the other side until browned, then remove
Add tomato sauce to pan and let simmer on medium high heat
Add baby kale leaves into the sauce until it softens
Arrange all previously cooked ingredients to the pan as you would if you were decorating a pizza
Finally, take a spoon and scoop circular space for your two or three raw eggs that’ll cook in the pan (however many eggs you choose)
Crack your eggs in the wholes and allow the eggs to cook in the sauce (be sure the wholes you make are deep enough for the eggs to touch the bottom of the pan,
Once the eggs are cooked to your preference, sprinkle the goat cheese crumble on top and your Crustless Butternut Squash Breakfast Pizza is complete and ready to eat!