We QUIT Our 9-5 Jobs At 26 After Learning 3 Things

Summary

The video recounts a couple's decision to quit their stable, high-paying jobs in Singapore to pursue a life of freedom and self-discovery. Despite achieving career success, they felt their lives were slipping by and were unfulfilled. They reflect on lessons learned, such as the limitations of corporate life, the cost of sacrificing personal time, and the realization that true wealth comes from leverage rather than labor. With a focus on financial independence and lifestyle freedom, they now travel to find their ideal place to live, sharing their journey and encouraging others to take charge of their lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker and their wife both had successful careers in tech but felt unfulfilled and decided to quit their jobs.
• 😀 A significant number of young Singaporeans experience depression, anxiety, or stress, contributing to a growing wave of discontent in corporate jobs.
• 😀 The traditional path of school, good grades, and a stable job doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness or fulfillment.
• 😀 The fear of failure and the pressure of other people's opinions can prevent individuals from pursuing their true passions.
• 😀 Many people regret living a life based on others' expectations rather than staying true to themselves, especially towards the end of their lives.
• 😀 Spending one-third of your life working in a job you don’t enjoy may lead to dissatisfaction, especially if you're only working for the paycheck.
• 😀 A corporate job can cost more than just your time; it can take a toll on your relationships, health, and overall happiness.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal story about a colleague canceling a long-awaited trip due to work commitments, highlighting how work can dictate personal life.
• 😀 People are easily replaceable in the corporate world, and chasing after targets can lead to burnout without offering long-term personal fulfillment.
• 😀 The power of leverage is crucial to achieving financial freedom—capital, labor, and code/media can provide more sustainable wealth than working for a paycheck.
• 😀 By stepping away from traditional work, the speaker and their wife were able to reduce lifestyle costs, earn income through capital, and prioritize their happiness and freedom.

Q & A

What were the initial feelings of the speaker and their wife when they had successful jobs in tech sales and design?

They felt like they had 'made it' in the eyes of their friends and family due to their great education and jobs, but deep down, they both felt that their lives were slipping by.

What key realization led the speaker and their wife to quit their jobs in Singapore?

They realized that they were living a life based on external expectations rather than true personal fulfillment, which led them to quit their jobs and pursue their own dreams.

What is the 'Great Resignation 2.0' mentioned in the video?

The 'Great Resignation 2.0' refers to the growing trend of young people, particularly in Singapore, who are experiencing severe feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress, and are increasingly considering quitting their jobs.

What is one of the biggest regrets people have at the end of their lives, according to the speaker?

The most common regret is living a life based on the expectations of others rather than being true to oneself.

How does the speaker describe the consequences of being stuck in a corporate job?

The speaker highlights that in a corporate job, you are replaceable, and your health, relationships, and happiness can be sacrificed for work, which ultimately cannot be replaced.

What event made the speaker reflect deeply on the value of time and life choices?

The speaker experienced a traumatic car accident during a work retreat, which caused them to reflect on how fragile life is and the importance of living true to oneself rather than working just for the sake of a paycheck.

How did a colleague’s decision to cancel a planned trip impact the speaker’s view of work?

The speaker was baffled when their colleague canceled a long-awaited trip to Kilimanjaro just to please a new boss, which made the speaker realize how much people sacrifice for work, even at the expense of their own happiness and dreams.

What does the speaker believe is a major trap for people in traditional jobs?

The speaker believes that many people are trapped by the need for money to survive, which makes it difficult to quit a job or slow down, even if they are unhappy.

What realization did the speaker have about money and leverage?

The speaker realized that to get rich, one needs leverage—through labor, capital, or media. They understood that relying on labor alone, such as working for someone else, is a limited form of leverage.

What changes did the speaker and their wife make to live a more fulfilling life?

They decided to downsize their lifestyle, rent out their apartment, and reduce unnecessary expenses. They embraced a simpler lifestyle in places like Bali, prioritizing experiences over material possessions.