You got a day job? Is it 8-5ish? Awesome.
What about a 5-8? No? What's that even?
It’s a VERY good idea to start your own thing on the side in addition to your 8-5. I call it a 5-8.
I have a GREAT 8-5 day job of being a software engineering leader at Microsoft. I've had this job for 15 years and love it. No plans to quit.
On the side though, as a 5-8, I run Prima Dona Studios, my fashion business from 5 am to 8 am and then again 5pm-8 pm. And weekends of course.
Prior to Prima Dona, I used that time to write. I've been writing books since 2002. I’ve been published eight times by publishing houses in NY and then dabbled in self-publishing once I learned how to do it. Same schedule. Instead of waking up to sew or design fashion, I'd wake up and produce pages. I’ve kept my 5-8 time since I started working in the corporate world. I wake up, pay myself first, then I give myself to my day job starting at 8 am sharp. I am 100% immersed in day job during the day, but at night--it's 5-8 pm time again.
A 5-8 can be making something, practicing something, freelancing, consulting, small gigs, teaching courses, blogging, or a full-on business. Whatever it is, it’s something that YOU own. It’s something you do for YOU and maybe customers that YOU choose.
You can get fired, laid off or aged out of your 8-5 at any time, but your 5-8? That’s YOURS. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be the owner of your own “thing” and never have a gap in your resume?
Do a thought exercise for yourself today: Think about what you want to do "someday." Yes, THAT crazy dream once you have all the money and stability you need. How can you start building the skills to do that thing tomorrow at 5 am or 5 pm so that you no longer have just a dream but rather a goal and a game plan?
Let's turn your dream into a goal into action items to an achievements list when you end 2021.
#DoTheThing <3
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Dona is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Prima Dona Studios, a fashion line that helps women achieve economic power. When you put on one of our pieces, we guarantee that you'll feel like the total bad@ss that you are and be compelled to pursue your wildest dreams. We also pay the woman who hand-tailored your garment fair Seattle wages no matter where she lives. To learn more about us, visit us here: https://primadonastudios.com/
