9 Corporate Habits I Left Behind

There’s a difference between starting your own business and actually running it on your own terms.

When I left the corporate world, I thought I was choosing freedom. But for a while, I just rebuilt the same cage—this time, I was the one holding the keys.

I brought with me habits that didn’t belong in the life I was trying to build: urgency as a love language, meetings as proof of value, and a workday shaped by fear of being perceived as lazy.

And if you’re reading this, I’d bet I’m not the only one.

Here’s what I let go of (and what replaced it) to create a business that finally fits the way I think, live, and lead:

The Traditional 9–5 Workday

Defaulting to a Monday–Friday, 8–4:30 schedule was second nature. Even when no one was watching, I was still performing—desk time meant work time. That didn’t just impact my calendar, it shaped my sense of worth.

I cracked that cycle when I started taking Friday afternoons off in the summer. It wasn’t about “earning” it—it was about remembering who makes the rules now (spoiler: me).

Meeting Culture and the Myth of Momentum

I now design my days with intention—not reaction. Mondays are for easing in, not scrambling onto back-to-back calls. That rhythm lets me plan, think, and actually do the work instead of narrating it out loud on Zoom.

The Need to Be “Always On”

Being praised for responsiveness used to mean I answered emails at dinner. That pressure didn’t vanish when I became my own boss—it just got sneakier.

These days, I hold a 24-hour response policy. Still, my nervous system sometimes wants to leap up and “prove” I’m working. It’s a practice to prioritize regulation over reactivity. But it’s one that’s worth repeating.

“Professionalism” as Performance

I’ve never been one to throw a blazer over pajamas, but I used to contort my voice to sound more...legit. Now? I show up as myself. Hoodie, sarcasm, sarcasm-tee-shirt, and all.

It’s not about rejecting polish—it’s about letting go of the performance.

Growth for Growth’s Sake

“Build an agency!” “Hire fast!” “Scale now!”

Except...I don’t want that. I want a business that fits my life—not one that consumes it.

Before I chase the next milestone, I check in: is this aligned—or just achievement for achievement’s sake?

Busyness ≠ Value

Corporate life taught me that if no one can see your work, it doesn’t count. But the deepest work—the work that actually moves the needle—often happens in the quiet.

So I’ve let go of performative productivity. My calendar isn’t a measure of my value. My impact is.

Over-Communicating to Prove I’m “Doing Something”

Now? I trust my work to speak for itself.
If clients need hand-holding, I’m probably not their person—and that’s not a flaw. It’s clarity.

Revenue ≠ Worth

Still sticky. Still daily. Still something I notice every time I check Stripe. But my values don’t fluctuate with my income, and neither does my integrity.

“Don’t Bring Emotions to Work”

My clients don’t get robot-Jacki. They get all of me—within the container of trust and consent.

Because when we build relationships—not just deliverables—everyone feels safer. Including me.

Your Business Doesn’t Need to Follow Someone Else’s Trail

Letting go of these habits hasn’t been about rebellion—it’s been about reconnection. To myself. To my clients. To the life I want.

So if you’ve found yourself stuck in an old structure that doesn’t serve you anymore, I want you to know: you don’t have to keep carrying it.

You get to choose your own pace, your own path, your own version of success.

Want more real talk like this?
Listen to the full episode on Here’s What I Learned wherever you get your podcasts.