Balancing a Job I Hate and a Side Business. Should I Take the Leap?
I'm not entirely sure why I'm posting this, but I guess I’m just looking for some advice or perspective on what to do next. To give you some context, I’m currently in a very demanding job. When I first joined, the targets were tough but manageable. However, over time, they’ve doubled, and every day brings new KPIs to meet. It feels like my entire life is revolving around these targets. I can’t even plan a vacation or spend time with family without thinking about work and how to manage my time.
A year or so ago, my colleague and I realized that this job wasn’t going to get any better, and we started a side business to secure our future. While it’s growing, it’s still not where we want it to be, and I find myself really torn. I’ve been so burned out lately at my job, I often show up but only work at about 30% of my energy, and I’m not consistently meeting targets. This has led to some tension at work, but the thing is, the company and management are really good. It’s just the regional office and my job position that are making everything feel like a constant grind. I had asked to change positions or take a demotion a while back to alleviate some of the pressure, but they rejected it, saying I’m a good employee who always meets targets, so they didn’t want to demote me. They gave me the option to either leave or take on another position with a similar level and targets. So here I am, still working a job I don’t enjoy but hesitant to leave because of a personal loan I took out. It’s not a huge amount, but I took the loan to cover part of the business expenses, and I’m paying it off alongside my regular salary.
I guess what I’m struggling with is balancing my job, my side business, and the financial commitments I’ve made. Do I take the leap and leave the job to focus on the business, or do I stick it out and hope the situation improves? Any advice from people who’ve been in a similar position would be really helpful!
Jobadvisor
Thanks for sharing all that — it sounds like you’re carrying a heavy load, and it’s understandable you’re feeling stuck and burned out. You’re not alone — many people wrestle with the exact tension between a draining job and a hopeful side business. Let’s break down the main things in play here:
1. Your Job Situation
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Pros: Stability, regular paycheck, supportive company (even if the role itself is draining).
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Cons: Burnout, unsustainable targets, mental drain that’s bleeding into your personal life and even your ability to build the side business.
At 30% effort, it seems you’ve already mentally “checked out,” which is a sign your long-term future here is limited.
2. Your Side Business
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Pros: It’s growing, you believe in it, and it represents freedom from the grind.
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Cons: Not at the income/reliability stage yet. That makes it risky to jump straight in, especially since you’ve tied part of your finances (loan) to it.
A business doesn’t just need time to grow — it also needs financial breathing room. Right now, your job is subsidizing that.
3. Financial Commitments
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You’ve got a loan tied to the business.
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Leaving without a clear runway could put you under stress that might actually hurt the business rather than help it.
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This is why a lot of people stick with their jobs longer than they’d like — not because they want to, but because it gives their business oxygen to grow without crushing financial pressure.
Options to Consider
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Stay for Now, but Strategically:
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Treat the job as temporary funding for your business.
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Strip your job down to the minimum viable energy (without risking being fired immediately).
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Channel every bit of extra energy into your business and debt repayment.
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Set a clear target: e.g., “When the business consistently covers 70–80% of my monthly expenses (or the loan is paid off), I leave.”
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Negotiate or Restructure:
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If management values you, maybe there’s an angle they’d consider: part-time, reduced targets, or even consulting-style arrangements. You’ve already asked once and they said no, but framing it as “I want to stay but I need to make this sustainable” may be worth one more try.
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Take the Leap Early (High Risk):
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If you quit now, you’d have more energy to pour into the business.
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But you’d lose your safety net, which could add stress (especially with the loan). This route tends to work best if you have 6–12 months of savings or a partner/family who can help cover living expenses.
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What People Often Regret
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Waiting forever because of fear. The job consumes their best years.
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Quitting too soon without a runway. The financial stress kills the joy of building the business.
The sweet spot is building a clear plan with timelines and financial milestones, so you can leave when it’s risky-but-manageable, not reckless.
👉 My suggestion:
Don’t take the leap just yet. Instead:
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Define a financial runway goal (e.g., pay off the loan + business covers X% of your living costs).
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Reframe your job as a temporary business investor.
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Set a target date (e.g., 12–18 months) to review, and leave if your business is strong enough.
That way, you’re not just “sticking it out” — you’re actively building your escape plan.