OK well, I have been working full time and teaching for two years now. I have bills to pay and financial responsibilities so I had to be sure of the money coming in. I started off teaching two evening classes a week. Then I had a private client on a Monday night, and recently it has grown into a third evening class. So I now teach Monday Tuesday and Wednesday night as well as working 9-5 Monday to Friday. I recently made the decision to quit work, and I leave on Thursday!
Now I made this decision (a) because my health was starting to suffer (b) because something political happened at work that I didn't agree with and (c) these two things combined made me realise the time had come.
So my advice? Try starting up and evening class and see if you can maybe get a private client or two before you think about quitting work. You'll just know when the time is right.
Don't get me wrong I'm still scared and I'm open to the fact I'll have to do some temp work some months, but there will just be a time when the need to leave will overpower the fear and that is when the time is right.
Don't push it, don't leave before the right time and don't try and speed things into happening that aren't ready to happen if that makes sense?
I wish you all the best and lots and lots of clients
