I left a well-paying gig but left knowing 3 key things: 1. Had a solid financial cushion via savings to really give myself enough runway to do the startup thi

I left a well-paying gig but left knowing 3 key things: 1. Had a solid financial cushion via savings to really give myself enough runway to do the startup thing sincerely and whole-heartedly 2. Knew that if even things blow up, I'd always be employable 3. Very few folks become really wealthy working for someone else The upside monetarily is a motivator, but the bigger thing I've realized after jumping to startup-ville is that my worst day in my startup is honestly better than my best day in corporate America. There are immense non-monetary benefits (and a whole lot more stress as well)