The Day I Quit Was The Day I Died To My Father

I'd do pretty much anything to hear my Dad again

This was message I needed to hear that best describe my current situation with a few differences. I’m like you father in this and you’re like my wife. I’m 40 and have been working at a corn refinery for 18 years with a lot overtime, so life was set for me and I’m ok with the lifestyle of swing shifts and overtime. My wife dated for over a year then got married in 2017. The caveat is in 2015 before we officially met, she had a car accident the triggered and autoimmune disease along with other physical issues. This obviously upended her life and changed the trajectory of it from having a plan to having rebuild. All of it and a couple unrelated childhood issues contributed to severe depression, ptsd, and other mental health struggles compounded by physical limitations. Since getting married she’s started a small craft business that help with purpose and direction but business has picked up recently along with an item that I invented that can help crafters. I personally see the product as something that could generate good side income but not enough replace my income permanently, adding insurance and retirement saving in the mix. It’s a great idea and invention but it’s more of a one time purchase that can last for years, not something that runs out and has to be replenished. She obviously feels strongly about it but I’m looking at the long term stability aspect of it. My wife is very much like you in wanting more out of life and being surrounded others that want freedom not just a career with long hours and retirement. Overall my seasoned mindset and her ambitious dreamer thought process has caused friction between us.

I'm proud you Evan. So many people are trapped by nothing more than what I call the "golden handcuffs". They have a secure job with decent pay and benefits, and they settle for that their whole working lives counting the days until they can retire. They may not hate their job, but they are not passionate about it. I worked as a tool and die maker for 40 years. I worked for 2 great companies during that time, and I never once not want to go to work in the morning. I really enjoyed what I did every day. Now 66 and retired 2 years, I want to start and build a business. Not for me but for my daughter. She is a single mom of two and she has a set of "golden handcuffs" keeping her from doing something she really likes to do. I'm not sure what it will be but I'm finding your videos very informative and inspiring. Keep them coming. BTW, I lost my dad two months ago. We had a great relationship my whole life and I was fortunate to have him as long as I did. I miss him terribly. Hug your dad when you see him.

I stumbled onto your channel for business advice, but took away so much more. This video is a powerful gem that deserves way more visibility.

Thank you.

I recently turned 52, I currently live alone with no children and unhappy with how my life is going. I have been on a quest to reinvent myself with the skills I have gathered over my years of various jobs and I want to learn new skills. I have ideas of projects I want to pursue and I'm interested in your quest to reach out to similar people,

truer words were never spoken

Thank you for your honorable sacrafice and service to your community saving property and lives as a paramedic fireman. Good luck in your business

Sign me up for this community. I'm well into this path of business now.

Well done.

A selfish, cowardly decision. If you didn’t want your dad to talk you out of it, you should have told him shortly after you quit. Instead, you showed him disrespect and caused heartache and confusion (not to mention likely caused embarrassment) of making him stumble into what happened a whole two months later. Plus it’s an assumption that he “only knows one way”. He maybe only did things one way, but he likely knows many ways.

Don’t listen to your fans, from whom you’re seeking justification. Your decision to quit was the right one. Your decision to not tell your father was very wrong.

I am today literally on that part of my life where I want to start something myself. I feel it strongly. I am happy that I found your channel, and this video by the way.

Thanks for this.
Greetings from Holland.

"Hard for somebody whose identity is wrapped up in what they do..."
It's an amazing freedom to realize that you are a person first, not what you do. Not many can achieve this enlightened place.

At the point where you mentioned about you being forced to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I immediately thought of the countless similar threads in the subreddit r/antiwork. Did your dad experience these same struggles, policies and procedures in his 44 years as a fire fighter? How many school events, life events, ball games, parties or family events did he miss out on? Was it worth it to him? Did he take more pride in his job than being a father? Work schedules across wide variety of business sectors have changed to almost round the clock, very long hours or just terrible hours in general. Sounds like your Captain in that situation didn't have the guts to stand up for you. I am sure you made the right choice.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING! 😊

You did tight…. My story & i’m pushing 80…. Had the dream Job selling for IBM when Computers were a new thing …. But i was in Chicago after Army service & my wife & i longed for the California promise land of the late 60’s so i quit IBM for a temp job selling life insurance in San Diego my dad said “always playing” 50+ years & 3 successful Companies of my own latter now living with the same wife on the Beach in Rosarito mex just south of my 3 grandkids in San Diego.. deciding which new business to start…….it is great to be alive is it not?

Amen ❤ I’m glad I found your videos

You are extremely well-spoken. Intellectual and eloquent. Im glad I found your channel. You may not realize it, but your humility and wisdom are very inspirational.

Wow, this is my life and what I have on my mind all of the time.

Thanks for sharing buddy. You earned the subscription.

That's powerful!! I'm glad you found something for you and your family's future!!

You just dropped so many jewels in this one video man.

I was a bit preoccupied with a meeting coming up about my graduation thesis, and now I see this wholesome video from a wholesome dude (your domestic production video was recommended by the algorithm) which really puts the context of meaningfulness around what I'm doing and you've reframed that so nicely, and blew away my worries. I'm a bit speechless that I've managed to come across such a quality video at a such well timed moment. Thank you!

I am in utter shock at the gift you provided to me through your words. I am going to give this to my Son and Daughter, so many truths. I am in the process of developing a new product, your video(s), have totally taken me in a new, exciting direction. I am sure your words have inspired millions of people. They most definitely did me. Thank You.

Still look like a fireman 😆🤣🤣🙏❤

Damn this hits really hard for me. Every business I ever wanted to start I would consult with my Dad, out of respect and I believed he was more knowledgeable about stuff like that since he started several business's. For whatever reason, I don't know what it is about fathers especially the boomers, if its something they don't completely understand, they boo hoo it. Literal dream crushers. Well I moved out of the area and he moved to FL. I started a business that no one was doing at the time, and there were A LOT of risks and mistakes made but I made it work and made tons of money. Well one day Dad calls and we start chatting and I wanted to see what he would say about "My new business I was thinking of starting" (When I already have been in business for 5 years) He went down the list of what its a bad idea, it will never work, etc etc etc. The same dream killing rhethoric I heard since I first started working. I spring it on him that I been successful and been doing it for over 5 years. He blew u at me, said he wasn;t interested in tricks and games and get this " I might be ok now, but it will eventually fail".... Like what is wrong with our fathers? Why do they have this MUST of always being "RIGHT"? and this obsession that we will fail in something without their stamp of approval. I really dont get it.

One of the biggest problems with old school thinking is their belief in only one way. It's so narrow-minded especially when they don't have much in the end

This video went straight to the heart, Evan. Thank you so much for sharing. I have an upcoming date in mind for when I need to leave the day job. And when the time is right, I'll be joining the community you started. Until then, thanks for all the content.

my situation is so similar to yours it's scary... I recently had a conversation with my father talking about how lonely of a road it is to build a business. For me it's been a slow process. This video found me at a great time. thank you...

Glad you chased your dreams. Look forward to learning from you.

Pretty great. The best part is that I know it's true because I've experienced it.

You quit the fire department but kept the mustache.

@VanceE Someone doing exactly what you're doing And going through the same things

Thank you for sharing. I can relate so much with the event that you pointed out.

Pretty sure it was when he caught you dancing in drag thru the window

Bravo for sharing this emotional growth. I'm a new visitor and subscriber. I look forward to learning more about you & your content. Thank you

"A Man Chooses, A Slave Obeys..." Andrew Ryan.

This was absolutely incredible 😍👏 thanks

Hey man I’ve got somewhat of similar story 10 years in youth ministry - quit 2021 where I had to make that hard choice between calling / job and my own business. Went full time operating our own business got debt free retired the wife from her job now we work three sometimes four days a week with a couple of employees living our best lives - very very lonely to share because nobody we know has done it or know how to relate with us

I really appreciate how you use your actual numbers for the video.

Thank you for your transparency. Ive been working for 2 years to build my new vehicle. It doesn’t feel like I’m as far as I should be.
Spend every second you can with your dad. I lost mine 3 years ago and still think about him constantly.

Its pretty tough to leave a job like that. You have to be happy in what you do because we only have one life.

You are a very likeable person. Keep on prospering, sir 🙂

Even the dog is feeling it 😢❤ 😂 it really touch me sir thank you for sharing that

This resonates so much with me. I've been working in EMS for about 20 years, and it's definitely rough. This is a career I loved and has afforded me many opportunities over the years. Unfortunately, I didn't think about what's next. I started in EMS young, I'm not even 40 yet, and I'm over 20 years in the same job. For the majority of my career, I worked for hospital based systems and, in turn, do not have a pension. I was also the young naive kid and didn't contribute to a 401k or similar. 3 years ago, I moved as far away from everything to start over. I am lucky that I now have access to a pension.

20 years in, I find myself asking if I have another 10, 15, 20 years left in me. I honestly don't know, but I do know I want to spend more time living. Idk if that is reducing my spending to avoid OT. Maybe retiring all together and using my pension to start up something for myself to build income streams.

Sorry for the long comment. This has been something on my mind for a while now, and seeing this... well it just hit home for me. Great work and keep it going!!

I teared up while listening to you because I can totally resonate. First I want to thank you for your service!. I am embarking on the same journey, but right now, it is a struggle because I can't seem to get it right. I already lost a lot of money with my Amazon FBA. I don't even have that breadth of knowledge and understanding like you do how to make my business work. I know what you mean about being lonely because I don't know anyone in my immediate circle who is doing the same. I am in a paid mentorship group, but it focuses on promoting the group rather than really getting the support for the clueless wannabe entrepreneur like me. I can't talk about it at work because it causes envy ( ask me how I know LOL), even if I am not making money. I think just the potential scares them! LOL. I am a medical professional, and I also have CFS, but by the grace of God, I can still maintain my full-time job by pacing, so I don't crash often. Thank you for the videos you create. I am getting invaluable lessons from them!

Brave move and to each their own. Success is great but freedom is best. I hope you find a way to feel successful without giving 365 days a year to anything.

you are one inspiring mofo. much respect to you.