Chapter 1: The Dreaded Job

"I despise my job—sort of."

If this sentiment resonates with you, medications might seem like a solution… OR…

Today, I stumbled upon a comment from a woman replying to Hogan Torah’s insightful piece on “Burn Out.” I encourage you to read his article; it's truly remarkable. Her comment struck a chord with me, prompting me to share my thoughts on this prevalent issue.

Many people express, “I hate my job.” This is a refrain I hear all too frequently, and her follow-up seemed almost apologetic for voicing it. When I discuss my work, others often feel my enthusiasm and inquire about my secret. The answer is simple: I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I refuse to engage in work that doesn’t inspire me.

I have made the bold move of leaving four lucrative corporate positions, each time with a straightforward resignation letter: "Goodbye, I’m out." My wife often asks, “Is there anyone you truly like?” It’s a complex question. I care for many people, but I genuinely like very few.

I’m not here to drown you in self-help clichés, but I do have some insights that might aid the “I hate my job” crowd.

You might wonder why I feel qualified to offer advice. The truth is, I’m not. However, I possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have managed small family businesses on three continents. To give you a sense of my background, I have four children with diverse nationalities—one American, two British, and one South African—all holding various residency permits and passports.

We’ve experienced life in different cultures. Yet, I reached a point of dissatisfaction with my job. Running a business is still a job, and it comes with the responsibility of ensuring your employees are paid at the end of each month. Thus, I decided to embark on a side project at a time when "side hustle" was just emerging as a term.

I continued to put in the hard work at my day job because I owed it to my family. Between the options of “hate” and “boredom,” I’d always choose the former. At least if you hate something, there’s still some passion left to address the issues. Boredom, on the other hand, is a draining emotion, one that can stifle your senses and dull your spirit.

No amount of exercise, indulgence, or substances can combat boredom. I warned my wife, my steadfast partner, that we were heading into a challenging period, and I was set on changing our course. Her response was pragmatic: “I think we need more power…” She didn’t hesitate to support me while I navigated my options.

Together, we began to evaluate our expenses. We cut back on luxuries and unnecessary costs—no lavish vacations, no new cars, and the orthodontist could wait. It was a necessary step.

Our family splits its time between the UK and Italy. Two of my kids are completing their education in the UK, while my eldest daughter and son have established careers there. My consulting work is now based in Italy.

Although it’s challenging, we are committed to our long-term goal of retiring in Italy—despite our lack of Italian language skills. Italy has captured my heart more than any other country I’ve visited.

Choices:

Having an abundance of choices can be overwhelming. For instance, if a restaurant offers 150 main courses, it becomes difficult to decide. But if it specializes in chicken, you’re likely to choose that—and it’s usually quite good.

This concept applies to side hustles as well. Gradually and deliberately, I started to develop my side project. It doesn’t happen overnight. I made what I consider the fourth-best decision of my life: focusing on what I know best.

I leveraged my experience in hospitality—something many overlook. Often, it’s not the job itself but the surrounding circumstances that lead to dissatisfaction. Unless it’s utterly intolerable, I advise against abandoning your current position. I discovered this crucial insight by chance, but it turned out to be invaluable.

Now, I write full-time, driven by the desire to create for just three individuals: myself, my wife, and the late Charles Dickens. Dickens is my inspiration; his characters are legendary. I aspire to reach a level where he’d say, “Not bad, UVE… Come have a drink with me, you’ve earned it.”

My journey led me to share my insights with large retailers about the retail experience from a small restaurant owner's perspective. Surprisingly, they listened. I realized I possessed a unique perspective, having owned small businesses across four countries.

I suggested to IKEA that they create smaller stores focused on quick purchases while offering online options for larger items. They took my advice.

I was generating income by sharing ideas. My passion for ideas fueled my happiness and, crucially, kept boredom at bay.

After opening my latest venture, I found myself asking, “What’s next?” My wife’s incredulous response was, “You’re joking, right?” Sadly, I wasn’t.

Having owned 41 establishments, I still yearned for more. I realized that much of the resentment toward work stemmed from boredom, coupled with an innate entrepreneurial drive. It’s natural to feel fear and frustration about not taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

But it’s not a leap; it’s a series of small, deliberate steps. Create a plan, get the structure right, and then take one step at a time.

The Secret:

Go to work as usual but concentrate on your side hustle. Fulfill your responsibilities, but only deliver what you’re compensated for. Remember, your boss is primarily focused on their own interests—do the same.

Dedicate time to think deeply during weekends or evenings. A significant portion of my day is spent in contemplation. Strategic thinking takes time—sometimes even months. Document every idea that comes to you.

Passion drives my financial success; ideas are the foundation of my endeavors.

The first video, "Do THIS If You Hate Your Job!" discusses actionable steps to overcome job dissatisfaction and find a path toward fulfillment.

The second video, "I'm 30 And Hate My Job" | If You Hate Your Job/Career - Watch This! offers insights and inspiration for those feeling stuck in their careers.