Learn how to leave your corporate job on your own terms and ensure positive future relationships.

When is it time to leave the corporate world and pursue your own dream? That's a question that many executives of color grapple with. Career coach Michelle Awuku-Tatum offers insights and strategies to help them find fulfillment and advancement.

As the late Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

If you're considering leaving the corporate world to pursue your own thing, there are a few tried-and-tested steps you can follow to create an exit plan.

First, assess yourself to determine what you believe you are leaving behind and how your next move will enhance your outlook. If you're doing something you enjoy or have the flexibility to engage in projects outside of work, you might actually discover that you would be quite happy in the corporate world. You should also ask yourself if you have what it takes to bring your idea to life and what additional skills you need. Doing your own thing can be a rocky road, so it’s important to be prepared.

The second step is to solidify your next move. This requires research and getting feedback on your idea from focus groups, a board of advisers, friends, or pitch events. Once you've received input, refine your idea to make sure it's the best it can be.

Finally, create a strategic survival plan to keep the lights on while you pursue your dream. Consider how to create alternative sources of income such as working part-time, freelancing, or consulting until your idea is operational and generating a predictable revenue stream.

Leaving corporate life isn't easy. You'll likely work harder for yourself than you ever did for anyone else. But, the exhilaration of building something, seeing your idea work in the world, and putting your strengths into play each and every day can be incredibly rewarding.

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