According to a Forbes magazine article, “Cloud computing will potentially generate at least 14 million new jobs across the globe within the next three years.” While I readily admit that these numbers are impressive (albeit speculative), my question is, “Do you really want a job?”
Being an entrepreneur at heart, the thought of having to trust someone else for the direction of my life and the quality of that life, just doesn’t appeal to me. I would much rather test the waters myself and look for a self-reliant way of living out my life purpose than to trust the speculations of someone who might well let me go at any time for the benefit of a friend, relative, or someone the thinks might make him more money than I can.
I sat with a man one day last summer who was in just such a situation. He was, as I recall, either the number one or two salesman in his company. The owner came in one day and simply said, “we are cutting back and you are out.” The man I was having coffee with said he left that day with no job, and no paycheck. (By the way he had to call for a ride because the company took his company car keys as well!)
I have personally come to the conclusion that the kind of pressure that a job creates is way more damaging to me than that of creating a dream business that allows me to live out my life’s purpose every day.
What do you think? Is there a better option?
Well said Dave. While I know not everyone is wired to be in business for themselves, “job security” is a myth. The advantage of self-employment on that front is you cannot be blind sided. If the company is having challenges, you’re aware of it well in advance and can take action to do something about it. An employer is motivated to keep you completely in the dark until he absolutely needs to axe you.
So I’ll vote for self-employment and its challenges, for the opportunity to create my own security for the long run!
Me too Kel! I don’t want to ever be at the mercy of someone looking only at the bottom line.
Loving It!!! Diddo…
Thanks Victoria!!
I couldn’t agree more. Job security is going the way of the dinosaur. Employer loyalty is gone.
All of these stories you hear about baby boomers being out of work and not being able to find employment makes me think they need to be thinking differently.
In all of this, according to a recent survey, 84% of current job holders are looking for something different. Nobody is really satisfied.
Different people have different capacities. I, for one, would never have the psychological or intellectual wherewithal to start my own business. I would much rather work for someone else.
The things that I like to do, play music, read, write are not exactly things that the lay public is interested in purchasing from me. A good musician, which I truly believe I am, is still a quarter a dozen. The same thing applies to those who have some writing talent.
The only counter-argument I could direct to myself is, but Jeffrey, you have been unemployed for over three years! If no one out there is willing to take you on, you have nothing to lose by finding some kind of niche for yourself, right?
Jeffery – I think that there are quite a few ways for you to get your music and/or writing into the hands of the general public. Being currently unemployed you are in a perfect position to try a few things. You are right that there are lots of good writers and musicians, but that doesn’t mean what you can do is not marketable. However, like you said, a job might work best for you. But if you haven’t been able to find work for over three years, what makes you trust a job and an employer more than you do yourself?
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