Whenever I lose motivation for work; I just have to think back to five minutes of one insignificant day with one unimportant person. Immediately I get that "fuck you" contempt. Five minutes of conversation that got me to quit my first "real" job in IT and start my own business. 

(not me, but must be how I looked like) :)

You chose this

I was working for a small (8 people) marketing agency, as a junior designer (of everything). Not bad for someone who decided to convert his hobby and "what he knows about photoshop" into a career. It was a lovely sunny Friday, much like today. It was 2 PM, and we were done with all the work for that day (and week) and we were starting a big project on Monday.

I walked into CEOs office, something not uncommon, she had the largest office, and the whole team would sometimes hang out there at lunch break, and have fun. And I said that we (design team) were done, and there's nothing to do until Monday kick-off, is it OK if I leave early? Basically already turning away as I expected a "yes".

No. Sorry. She said, without even lifting her glance from the screen.

Why the fuck not!? I asked politely.

The agency is paying you to sit your ass in that chair from 9-5. So you better find something to do for the next three hours we are paying you. I'm sorry, but you chose this.

OK. Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool. Fine. I said; as I was adding up in my head all the overtime, we worked "as a team" to "beat the deadline even if we had to be here 'till midnight" that were unpaid. Because "wE aRe a FaMiLy" and it's "for all of us".

She was 100% correct. I did chose that. To be here from 9-5 for a salary.

Then, I chose to change that. So I spent those three hours drafting my resignation letter. At 4:59 I've handed her my signed resignation, thanking everyone for the opportunity. And I left.

I didn't want to be "just another [fill in the blank]". And I wasn't going to stare into the wall just because I'm being paid to do so. There are so much better things I could do with my time. Exchange it for $4.2/h was not one of them.

I heard this on Spotify. Someone put in words better than I can.

Everyone is self made. But only those who like where they are will admit it.

What does it mean?

It means all of us are products of our own choices. Circumstances only define you if you let them. Those who succeed in life choose to accept responsibility for where they are, even if that place is not somewhere they want to stay. Especially if that place is not somewhere they want to stay.

You are where you are because of your decisions. If you don’t like where you are you must take better actions!

Every choice you have made throughout your life has led you right here.

Where you are now.

Do you like where you are now?

Can you go further?

Cheers.

T.