The “In-Between” Phase
Driving 45 minutes to get home after a 9 hour day, catching up with the family and getting some dinner. Then you sit back and relax to wind down for the night. That what people do right?
Not however if you are running a business part time while you are working 40-50 hours a week and still struggling to keep up with making time for family. Before you go to bed, during your lunch break and when you wake up hours before everyone, you have work to get done.
For many of us that make the decision to try and escape the 9-5 W2 life of comfort for that of building a business and empire that is ours drives our passions forward this is a tough spot to be in. The “in between” phase.
It’s that space between stability and freedom. Between what you have to do, and what you want to do.
The Work No One Sees
No one really knows the amount of work you put in — the research hours spent learning every corner of your business, the endless brainstorming sessions on branding, networking, finances, and marketing.
No one else can see the true vision of your future company the way you do.
People will tell you how you might fail. They’ll say you’re past the age to be starting a business. They’ll throw every reason they can think of to make you question yourself.
But in spite of all that — and despite your own doubts — you have to press on.
Fight back the imposter syndrome.
Keep putting yourself out into the world.
To fail. To learn. And to keep going.
Because in the end, it’s not just about working harder — it’s about learning how to build when no one’s watching.
The Reason We Keep Going
In a way, you almost have to be a little insane to fight so hard for something that keeps pushing back against you.
But as Steve Jobs once said, “the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
Even if it’s just your world.
The idea of building something that’s truly yours — where every penny you make goes toward your vision, not someone else’s empire — that’s what keeps us in the fight.
It’s the chance to one day employ others, to give opportunities to people who need them, to mentor, to teach, and to create something meaningful that ripples outward.
These are the things that keep me going through the tough times.
These are the things you have to hold onto when the money comes in slow and the doubts start creeping in.
Loving the Journey
People will always praise you when you’re winning. When your accomplishments are visible and you’re on top — at least for the moment.
But the work it took to get there is so vast that most will never truly understand what went into creating that success.
But you will.
That’s why we have to truly love the journey, not just obsess over the destination.
Don’t get me wrong — it’s important to see your future self, to set goals, and to manifest where you want to go.
But to be genuinely happy with the life you’re creating, you have to fall in love with the process.
And along the way, give back as much as possible.
Help others whenever you can. Mentor. Answer every email and message. Reply to every comment with real appreciation for the person who took the time to engage with your art.
There’s so much incredible work in the world today, yet they stopped to look at yours. That small connection matters.
These are the quiet bricks we lay over time — the foundation of the home we’re building.
Building a business while working a full-time job isn’t for the faint of heart. It demands sacrifice, discipline, and an almost unreasonable belief in something only you can see. There will be days when exhaustion wins, when doubt gets loud, and when progress feels invisible — but those are the days that quietly shape who you’re becoming.
If you can learn to love the process, to find pride in the unseen work, and to stay grateful for every small connection you make along the way, you’ll build something far greater than a business. You’ll build a life of purpose — one brick, one late night, one act of courage at a time.
