'Escape from Cubicle Nation' equips readers to take a plunge

— -- Pamela Slim, a so-called professional life coach, left a high-paying career as a management consultant in 1996 to start a business, and hasn't looked back. Slim became an adviser and coach to others pondering the same transition. Her 10 years in the corporate world as a self-employed trainer for large corporations had convinced her that if given the right information many in corporate life would make the leap. Equipping adventurous types is the purpose of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur.

Slim started a blog of the same title in 2005, dispensing entrepreneurial tips and career advice and sharing stories from corporate prisoners. The blog became a resource for people searching for the corporate exit.

Slim's background as a professional life coach may help explain her sensitivity to the personal and emotional aspects of becoming an entrepreneur. While containing the usual business tips and success stories, the book confronts the trepidations of cubicle-bound workers pondering the possibility of starting anew:

•You aren't crazy for wanting to quit your job.

While leaving a steady paycheck in today's economy may seem foolhardy, there are good reasons to walk away. Workplace instability, often associated with corporate reorganizations, can be a constant source of anxiety. Workplace apathy can make days seem endless for those not cut out for corporate life.

•Your biggest fears about quitting are likely irrational.

Many people are afraid that their jobs, while unsatisfying, are the best situation they can expect. If they leave, they fear going broke or losing their homes. Intellectually, most people understand that these fears are unlikely to come true, especially if they've made the effort to collect good information before embarking on a new venture.

•Don't be afraid to follow your passion.

Rather than building stress by denying your passions, embrace your inner fire. Don't beat yourself up for feeling dissatisfied with a daily life that forces you to hide your emotions and desires.