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Jul 2, 2021Liked by Andrew Donaldson

Having work in corporate where there's 400 people to compete is really exhausting. Most of the time lost in a daydream that one day be able to climb the corporate ladder and live comfortably financial...deep inside knowing that wont be the case.

It is a difficult decision to make, most of the time scary to think. but deep inside we know that its going to be fulfilling to be in our own practice.

Is there any good time to runaway for the norm of salaried and doing own practice. in term of ages?

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Hi Edi, thanks for your heartfelt response that sounds like a tough position to be in.

I should be clear up front that all my experiences are within Sydney, Australia, which give or take has been in a construction boom at least since I first started my 1st office-library-filing, photocopying, architecture student position in 2001.

So I don't want to give you a bum steer not knowing the Market in Malaysia at this time.

Maybe another reader can help you here?

I'll point you to Note 000 Kick Off > https://andrewsnotes.substack.com/p/kick-off < (unsure if links work in comments), points 4,5,6.

4. Gradient not a Cliff - try and get some kind of paying small job on the side of your salaried project, you will work hard after hours, but your overheads are NIL as it is what our current generation would call a 'Side Hustle' at that point.

5. 3 Projects + PI - You will have to adjust figures for cost of living in Malaysia, how much clients are willing to pay for small projects, etc, but 3 small reno's was Hannahs tip to me to essentially say 3 x SH (side hustle) = 1 x S (salary).

The gradient part is increase SH steadily after hours (without sacrificing your Office Job salary, or quality you are giving for your employer) - then you should get a better feeling for whether things can work.

Re age and life stage, that is all up to the person. I am still in 2 minds - I wish I could have started earlier, but I would not have had the experience or Network. If i had started later, I could have been (theoretically) more financially stable, and more experienced, but who knows maybe my risk appetite would decrease?

(Important note, if you are supporting a family, kids, etc that is also a different story)

As in Note 000 Kick Off point 6: The Highs are Higher, but the Lows are Lower.

I should also say, some of my best mates, who have not gone into their own practice (a much, much, much more common path) are very content - even outside of architecture (I'll write a standalone Noe on this).

I do know this - you only have 1 live to be Happy :)

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