Why would you let your dreams depend on the success of a single business or the whims of a single person?
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Chances are you’ve spent most, if not all, of your adult life as an employee. I can likely safely make that bet because society has taught this as the cultural norm for generations. This is the path most sane people travel. You are sane, aren’t you?
… in 2015, with so-called knowledge work being outsourced and automated at an exponentially increasing rate, how safe and secure are you?
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Growing up, it never occurred to me to question the worldviews I was taught. After all, people with much more experience and wisdom than I were all saying the same thing: “Get a good education, earn your college degree in the major of your choice, and find a good job with a reliable company.”
It all made so much sense really. If I showed up each day and did the work I was hired to do, then every two weeks I’d receive a paycheck. Sound familiar?
401(k)s, health benefits, vacation days, and a predictable stream of income served as irrefutable evidence to Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials, that safety and security were found in some version of the 9 to 5.
YOU’VE BEEN LIED TO
The only problem is, it was all a lie.
Sure, these mantras were mostly true for our grandparents and for our parents. But in 2015, with so-called knowledge work being outsourced and automated at an exponentially increasing rate, how safe and secure are you?
More than ever before, the whims of one person can so easily take those things away from you. Trust me, I’ve been on the receiving end of the whims of one person more times than I can count. I know the shock first hand.
The funny thing is, each time it happened, my first instinct was to find another job as fast as possible so that I could live my life at the whims of yet another manager because, well, that’s just how it’s done.
At least, that was my approach until just less than three years ago.
PUTTING AN END TO THE CYCLE
In early 2013, I began seriously thinking about what my life might look like if I started getting intentional about my future.
What if I said goodbye to safety and security and hello to freedom? Life without a net? Me?
I’d come to believe that true, honest to goodness safety and security were found when I held the keys to my future, not some boss …
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You see, there was a time when the idea of not earning a steady paycheck was the single scariest situation I could fathom. But, in part, because I’d developed a love for reading in recent years (specifically business and non-fiction), the worldviews I once held dear and took at face value were no longer a foregone conclusion.
I’d come to believe that true, honest to goodness safety and security were found when I held the keys to my future, not some boss; that freedom, even without a net, would be a more pleasurable existence than manufactured security.
Unfortunately I knew deep down that, even if I could convince my wife leaving the only job she’d ever known me to have was a good decision, I still might not have the courage to quit when the time came.
But that’s when the irony of all ironies stepped in.
HAPPINESS IS A GENEROUS SEVERANCE PACKAGE
Through no fault of my own yet another job – one that had lasted 14 years – had come to an end. Once again, the whims of one person decided I would no longer be eligible for a steady paycheck and all the things that went with it.
But this time, it was different. This time, I didn’t freak out. In fact, I didn’t even cry uncontrollably in the HR Director’s office (this actually happened once in 1997.)
But mostly, I treat my solo career the same way I always approached my traditional jobs: with consistent dedication and intentionality.
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I was completely calm and at peace. Why? Because immediately I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders…and it felt wonderful! I had no idea what was next, mind you, but all I could think about was all the things I no longer had to do.
- Attend more meetings? NO!
- Drive to work? NO!
- Drive home from work? NO!
I’ll admit that having two other colleagues suffer the same fate that day helped my ego to feel a little less bruised. But the important thing was my schedule was mine to do what I wanted. You know, like go to a movie in the middle of the afternoon (severance packages can be a blessing and a curse.)
STILL JOBLESS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Fast forward 30 months and I still don’t have a job. Not because I can’t find one but because I’ve yet to look for one. I simply haven’t desired or needed to.
Yes, sometimes I feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Indy: I’m going after that truck.
Sallah: How?
Indy: I don’t know. I’m making this up as I go.
But mostly, I treat my solo career the same way I always approached my traditional jobs: with consistent dedication and intentionality. Sure, it’s a little unpredictable sometimes, but I’ve come to realize the pros far outweigh the cons.
In fact, the last two and a half years have been the most enjoyable and rewarding of my entire 28-year career (I now spend my days as a full-time coach, speaker, podcaster and writer, all of which I love.)
So the next time you’re shown the door, don’t freak out (okay, freak out just a little.) But then realize that it just might be a blessing in disguise.
Yes, it might actually be the sign you’ve been waiting for to leap out in faith and live the life you were meant to live all along. No matter how old you are (I’ll be 50 next month), it’s not too late.
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Photo: Getty Images
Jeff, Reminds me of the saying that “we never change until the pain of the same outweighs the pain of the same.” One of the worst things that can happen to us is to have a job that’s “good enough”. Or for that matter anything in our life that is just Good Enough. We need to learn to excel by seeking out the great. Too often Good is the enemy of Great. We settle. We are content to just survive instead of live. Yes loss is hard. But so is mediocrity. Taking the dedication to realize this and blaze your… Read more »
Indeed Scott. As it has happened to me more than once, I can honestly say the opportunities that resulted were better than what I left more often than not. Thanks for chiming in.
Boy, can I relate to this story! To anyone on the fence or thinking about taking the leap towards freedom and self-employment — in order to “make it,” know this: 1.) You will be stressed 2.) You will work hard 3.) Your friends and family will think you’re nuts 4.) You will receive “advice” to just go get another job 5.) You will experience envy from others and quite possibly lose friends who you once thought were close 6.) You will experience doubt, fear and uncertainty for some time But most importantly, 7.) You will gain freedom in ways you’ve… Read more »
Totally agree John! Thanks for commenting.
Great article Jeff. This is a topic few people are willing to discuss. I was laid off in a company wide layoff that spanned thousands of employees in the late 90s. It was a GREAT forced new path that at the time was scary but being open to the idea that it was a door closing so that a better one could open really gave me the momentum to move forward. Glad to see that your door closed, making way for a better one to walk through. ;o)
Thank you Jaree. Self employment is not the path for everyone for sure. It was, however, the right one for me. It just took several firings along the way for me to realize it. 😉
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head when you said you treat your solo career with consistent dedication and intentionality, just like you did with your traditional job. Consistency is one of the biggest challenges of entrepreneurship for many, and it sounds like you slid into your solo career fairly smoothly. Thanks for the inspiring article. All the best to you as you continue to build your future.
Thank you Bruce. That means a lot.
This is an excellent post, Jeff. Look at you go! 2 for 2!!! But seriously, you spoke the complete truth. I’ve lost my position twice now in 40 year of a career. Been threatened with it maybe 3 or 4 more. The first one was weird and I was still in the mindset of the culture of company employ. But this is also understandable because of the times 35 years ago. I was also a slow learner that THEY can do this to you anytime they want, but that you determine how you will react. It taught me to deal… Read more »
Wow, Mark. Thank you!
Well to be fair jeff your article was a real wow. Unless of course you’re saying wow, Mark your comment is so weird I don’t even know how to respond to this. Lol.
Great article. Especially like the part you said “I treat my solo career the same way I always approached my traditional jobs: with consistent dedication and intentionality.” That’s obviously been key to your success.
You are very kind Joe. I really appreciate you stopping by and giving it a read.
I can relate, Jeff! It’s been 25 years since I lost my job – and thankful I did!
Also – love this –> “it might actually be the sign you’ve been waiting for to leap out in faith and live the life you were meant to live”
Fist-bumping you over the internets Mike! Thanks for your comment.
Thank you for this post Jeff! It’s very encouaging.
So glad to hear that Troy. Thank you for commenting. You’re my first commenter on my first ever GMP article. 🙂