This morning, I came across a story about a young woman who returned to her 9-to-5 job after nearly two years of running her own business. I hesitate to say “trying to set up” because, from what I gathered, the business was already up and running. But despite that, she felt burned out—tired of chasing sales and wondering when the next brand deal would come. In the end, she chose the stability of a steady paycheck, a structured routine, and better health insurance.
“Going back to a 9-to-5 is the easier path, but is it necessarily the best one?”
Different Economies, Different Challenges
Of course, this is a story from the U.S., where the economy is far more stable than what we have here in Zimbabwe. But in that kind of economy, you also have a better chance of succeeding as an entrepreneur.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—did she leave too soon? What if she had held on for just one more year?
The 1,000-Day Rule
I follow Jay Clouse, and in a podcast episode I listened to on Friday, he shared a principle from Dan Andrews called the 1,000-Day Rule.
Dan says it takes about 1,000 days—roughly three years—to replace your day job income with a business of your own. Looking at this young woman’s journey, it seems like she quit right at the toughest part—just before she could break through.
“It seems like she quit right at the toughest part—just before she could break through.”
Why Businesses Take Time to Take Off
Ever since I understood that you can grow a business online by trading knowledge instead of time—and using software tools to build an email list and grow a brand—I’ve realized that businesses often take forever to take off because people start without a structured plan.
But if you approach it systematically, using a proven method, you can build something that generates steady income in a much shorter time.
When I started, I didn’t have a structured plan—I was just trying different things. And honestly, most people start that way. It’s through engaging with an audience that you discover what you can offer and get paid for in return. Right now, I’m still in the service-based revenue stage (selling my time), but I’m confident that I’ll reach the point where I can sell my knowledge instead.
Betting on Yourself
I’m happy to deal with the burnout and uncertainty that comes with betting on myself, rather than settling for someone else’s vision, or worse, someone else’s whim.
A job comes with its own risks—someone else decides what happens to you. No matter how hard you work, your income is capped at whatever is in your contract. You get paid for the hours you put in, not necessarily for the value of your knowledge.
“With the internet turning the world into one global village, success is possible from anywhere— unless, of course, you’re in a war zone.”
From Selling Time to Selling Knowledge
Once you start building your audience as a creator, you’re on the right path to developing a product.
At first, you’ll probably find yourself selling your time—that’s the toughest stage. But as you grow and understand your audience better, you’ll be able to refine your offering and shift towards selling packaged products that showcase your knowledge. That’s when the journey begins to feel more streamlined and rewarding.
Start Small, Start Now
So, if you’re holding on to a day job you don’t like just for the security, why not start audience building on the side now? By the time you’re ready to go all in, you’ll have already shortened the 1,000-day runway and won’t have to struggle as much while growing your business.
The best part? You don’t even need a large upfront investment. Start building your audience today on a social media platform of your choice while also growing your email list. You’ll be well on your way to freedom—not just financial freedom, but the freedom to use your time the way you want.
“Are you willing to make a bet on yourself for 1,000 days, or would you rather commit to a path you have no control over for the rest of your life?”
