Call me crazy. I just quit my job.

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More than six years ago, I graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science and took a job at IBM. Today is my last day. So where am I going next? Good question…

When I was twelve years old, I came home from school one day and decided I wanted to create a video game. I found an application on our home computer called QBASIC and discovered that I could use it to program my game. After a few hours of looking at the built-in help file and scouring the list of commands, I had my first program. Over the next few years, I had an insatiable desire to create. I programmed everything from a 3D basketball shoot-out game to a utility that allowed you to copy large files using multiple floppy disks. I even created my own version of Microsoft Windows (minus the actual operating system) complete with a start menu, control panel, built-in screensavers, and the ability to install other applications.

At this point you should be picturing a little Indian boy with nerdy glasses and a fuzzy mustache. Yes – there was something that kept me glued to that computer. It wasn’t simply the satisfaction of being able to program; it was the opportunity to figure things out and turn ideas into reality. And somehow, over the years, I’ve lost touch with that.

Now don’t get me wrong: These past 6 years of working at IBM were extremely valuable. Working at a large company provided me with a tremendous amount of experience in terms of collaborating with a variety of teams and delivering complex software. I worked on a number of interesting projects and I am very proud of what I accomplished there. I also continue to have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for IBM as a company. That said, I always knew that I was not doing what I really wanted to be doing. I didn’t feel like I was exercising my full potential. And I constantly felt like I was waiting for something big to happen.

So back to the original question. Where am I going next? The answer is nowhere. I am going to start my own software company.

I can’t tell you exactly what my company is going to do because I don’t know yet. Like that 12-year-old kid, I just need to figure it out. Instead of geeky little games and utilities, though, I’m going to search for a real problem and solve it. Don’t expect the next Google or Facebook, or anything remotely close. I just want to create software that has a positive effect on peoples’ lives.

As you can imagine, the decision to leave my job was difficult. I must thank my wife, Varsha, for two reasons: 1) Being incredible in general, 2) Being incredibly supportive. The night before I announced my decision to leave IBM, I asked her if what I am doing is crazy. Her response:

“Yes, but it’s the crazy people who change the world.”

So here I am with the opportunity of a lifetime. To get back to what I love doing. To take control of my own destiny. And to change the world – even if only in some small and immeasurable way.

Wish me luck!

48 thoughts on “Call me crazy. I just quit my job.”

  4. Good luck Anil…. really admire the courage you have to take that step where we all get stuck at. I am sure whatever you do it will work out well ! Happy coding ! 🙂

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    • @Payal – I appreciate it! I’m glad I ran into you earlier this morning. I apologize because I was in a rush, but we should definitely get together sometime.

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  22. Congrats Anil, takes a lot of courage to step into the unknown. Good Luck in the future, no matter what, the experience will make you a better person in the long run.

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  28. Anil & Varsha–

    Wow, that’s a big step. It’s great to see someone actually taking it.

    Anil, it’s very cool to hear that you want to pursue what you care about. It’s a process, for sure, to find “it,” but when you do, there’s no going back. And Varsha, it’s awesome that you’re supporting Anil! That’s special.

    I recommend Linchpin by Seth Godin, if you haven’t read it yet.

    Dipika

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  29. Good for you! Like Marcie, your wife’s quote stuck out at me. I’m all about changing the world, making a difference. Go be that difference, Man. You CAN do it! Best wishes to you both! 🙂

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  33. That’s great. I solute you for having the courage to live the life you want. And you’re very fortunate (as you know) for having a supportive spouse. There’s no doing something this big without that. Hooray!

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    • @Christine @Lisa Absolutely. Varsha is not only supporting *me* but she really is taking the journey with me. She has been my advisor for many years and I will be depending on her even more as I move ahead.

      Reply

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