There must be something wrong with me. I just don’t get it – there are people who don’t have a problem with 9-5 cubicle life. They don’t seem to mind the un-inspiring blah-gray, carpeted walls, the repetive sounds of typing, papers printing, desk drawers opening and closing, phones ringing and the ocassional sudden sneeze that breaks the silence so suddenly that it threatens to give even healthy workers a major heart attack.
They don’t seem to mind working the best hours of every day – those hours when the air is the freshest, the sun shines the brightest, the hours when fish are most easily confused into biting a hook, the hours when the park has the most life, when ice cream is the coldest and tastes the sweetest, those hours when if you get on the highway and just drive until you find some place fun to have a mini-adverture, you’ll still be able to turn around and make it home before dark. In other words, they don’t mind giving the best gift that God has given us all – an unpredictable amount of time.
Time is the most precious resource because it can never be renewed. No amount of money can by it back. Once your youthful days are gone, no amount of surgery; no creams, no lotions can accurately replicate the glow of 21 year-oldskin, 16 year-old excitement, or 7 year-old innocence.
So why do people eagerly sign away 30 years of their life with no guarantee that they’ll even live long enjoy the long awaited reward of retirement?
I don’t know why and I don’t understand who thought this was a good idea to begin with.
Children shouldn’t have to wait hours for their parents to come home from work just so they can spend two minutes at the playground together – should they?
That’s why it’s so important to make use of the time you have now to do what you need to do to gain your financial independence. Yes, work is still required, but there’s something liberating about work that profits you and your family directly and not some unknown bigshot who probably doesn’t even lift his own fork to feed himself.
There’s something liberating about having your own business. I’ve seen people happily serve customers for 12 hours straight without tiring – because they had the freedom to work side-by-side with family if they wanted. They also had the freedom to let someone else take over while they took their family on vacation.
With financial independence, you can travel to those places you thought you would’ve seen by now, accomplish those goals you just knew would be finished by now, be a greater help to those you love but haven’t seen in a while because you’ve been working such long hours. You’ll be able to give aid and serve others without groveling and complaining about being tired or not having enough money.
Stop giving your life to that company and start living it for yourself.
Stop making other people rich. If you put the same amount of time and effort into working towards your buried goals, you’ll soon discover that what you thought were gold coins were really just peanuts in comparison.
Am I the crazy one for wanting to live the best years of my life? What do you think? What have you been putting off that you need to start doing today, right now, this second?
There’s something wrong with me too, Kiesha. I’m pretty much ruined for ever going back to a “normal” job after working from home these last few years. Actually the thing I need to do right now, this second, is go to bed because I’ve been up til the wee hours reading Jame’s workbook
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..7 Steps to Banish the Blogging Blues =-.
Hi Jean!
Sounds like you’re working on your freedom right now – wonderful!
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
Love your article Kiesha, but I really wanted you to go on and tell me how to do it! I am so fed up with having to have my bum on my seat by 9am, whether I’m busy or not, just because I have to be seen to be there! But I can’t find a way out of it, any advice??
Hi Miss Bouquet -
The only way out is by taking a look at your gifts and talents and create your own business based on that. My gift is writing, so I’m working hard to turn blogging into a full-time thing that can support my family.
I’m not there yet – it’s a work in progress. But the key is to start making progress, right now.
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..Enter to win a Copy of Purpose Driven Life & Join me for the 6th Annual Reading =-.
Nothing’s wrong Kiesha, it’s evolution
I think the world crisis was a perfect example of a major shift that’s going on now – people pissed off from being laid off, doing mundane robotic work and starting to establish their own (tiny) small business, mostly with the help of the web. It’s a current trend that’s happening here in Europe as well, and I think it’s a blessing.
People now tend to work for themselves, living a more minimalistic lifestyle, that’s less focused on money and materialism and more on relationships and freedom.
Well, that’s my two cents.
Genuine article, Kiesha !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..How to Rock your Audience (and create an electric emotional connection) =-.
I guess one thing that prevents people from working for themselves, following their dreams, becoming free to fish and eat ice-cream, is the security of a steady job, pension, and so on. Sometimes the fear is that by cutting yourself loose you’ll lose what you currently have. But a stirring call to re-evaluate, thanks Kiesha.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..I’ve never seen a badger move so fast =-.
Hi Mo,
I’ve seen many people work so hard for that so-called “stable” job only to be laid off suddenly with no warning and with the “Oh-by-the-way You have no pension ’cause we’re bankrupt” letter sent the very next day. Security is an illusion – so we might as well enjoy this short time we have.
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
Wow Kiesha – I have been thinking about exactly that lately. Very good point.
“Security is an illusion – so we might as well enjoy this short time we have.”
.-= mark´s last blog ..When Is Doing Something Well Not Enough? Now. =-.
Hi Mars!
So, I’m not crazy! Yay!
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
I’m with you Kiesha!
I think we should find our talents and work hard to make those work for us instead of working some place just to get by. I also think more people should start getting ahead in life and realise there’s no time like the present.
Very inspiring article here, love it!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Twitter Is Powerful When Used Correctly =-.
Hi Eric,
Yes, people truly do underestimate the power of “NOW” – you’d be surprised how much you could get done, if you’d just do it NOW!
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
Kiesha,
I love your passion and I understand what you are getting at in this article… Take the Bull by Horns… Blaze Your Own Trail… Road Less Traveled…
The reason that more people don’t leave corporate life to be an Entrepreneur is they’re scaried… Not motivated… Not creative… Not driven… and Comfortable…
Being an Entrepreneur is Getting punched in the head every day and Liking it… You have to have balls (metaphoric balls nothing sexist), and passion, and vision…
Lets face it, most people are not up for that… They live for comfort and what I agree is perceived security…
That’s the way the world has always been…
Thanks for the great article.
RyanH., http://www.RyanHanley.com
Hi Ryan,
You’re people are scared and it’s difficult to motivate yourself when you’re already tired and bogged down with a ton of responsibilities. The key is pressing on, despite how you feel.
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..Enter to win a Copy of Purpose Driven Life & Join me for the 6th Annual Reading =-.
I am 100% behind this post and what it stands for….taking steps to be ones own boss should be the goal of every working stiff. The philosophy and practice of trading ones valuable time for a price another person determines it’s worth has proven to be an antiquated and foolish lifestyle.
My only wish is that I had a little more time to build a stronger financial buffer before I started working it on my own, but from lemons I am making lemonade…;)
.-= Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur´s last blog ..Market your product for free =-.
Hey there Ms. Freeman – I see you working hard, and it is very impressive. That seems like a clear sign that you will find a way to make it all work. I wish you the best of luck!
.-= mark´s last blog ..This Week on The Web – 30th of April, 2010 =-.
Hi Ms. Freeman,
I know what you mean! But as Tim Ferriss has told us – no time is ever going to be exactly the right time. So while you’re at it,
here’s some other great uses for lemons:
-Household cleaning
-Removes the onion smell from cutting board and your hands
-Great in sauces
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
Hi, Kiesha. I’m an English teacher, and my cubicle is a classroom. On a typical day, I have 25 teenagers in my cubicle with me. It can get pretty crazy in here, and sometimes I wish I had my own little cubicle.
On beautiful days, I wonder why we have all these young, vibrant people bottled up in brick walls beneath fluorescent lights. I think we should take them outside and let them write about the world they see, or build something, or clean up a stream. They would learn some invaluable lessons.
But I’m just a dreamer, and cleaning up a stream will not be on the end of term exam. Besides, if we don’t teach them how to stay inside 8 hours a day, they won’t know what to do when it’s their turn to occupy those cubicles.
Hi Russell!
I feel for you! I’ve also been a middle, high school and college level English Teacher. I loved teaching college because we had so much more freedom to go out and explore, but you’re right, it doesn’t prepare them for the cubicles – but that’s the point!
used to work for a bank in Nigeria but quit on the last day of 2008. since then it’s been entrepreneurship and all its consequences.
No regrets though. In fact I love it.
Great post, so true too.
Doubt things will ever change completely, with the “system” set this way to brainwash everyone that this is the way to live.
It starts from a young age too, the kids waiting for the parents to come home grow to up thinking they have to also “conform” to this way of life, sadly.
Though, with more and more people actually working from home it is changing slowly.
Thankfully those of us that “wake” up blaze own out trial, and we owe it to our own kids to also get them thinking about it, thinking about not giving themselves away so easy, not owing anyone else anything, no-one forces anyone into a “job”.
Great post… should be essential reading for everyone!
.-= rob sellen´s last blog ..Adsense, beginning of the end or time to adapt =-.
Hi Rob,
Yes, many people are still sleeping in the “matrix”
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..Enter to win a Copy of Purpose Driven Life & Join me for the 6th Annual Reading =-.
Very well done.
I think it depends on whether you want to security or the satisfaction.
And both are very valid, especially if you have kids.
But the way I looked it, why making $30 an hour if the company makes three figures an hour on me? And when it comes to down-sizing or for cheaper laber, I’m out after putting years and years into their well-being.
So, I just decided I could run the show, too.
Yes, sometimes I work 14 hours a day. But when the kid calls, I’m right there, and we can play for a half hour.
And if I decide to take a vacation, it is all fine, as long as I spend two hours a day on making sure that all issues are addressed, I have time.
Ten years ago I started with 12 days of vacation, which was pretty good in the industry. Last year, working for myself, I had a total of 50 for ourselves as long as I put the two hours into checking mail and voice mail. This year we have another baby. I’ll shoot for 60 days.
.-= Tom´s last blog ..Rosa Parks Is Not Done Teaching Us =-.
Hey Tom,
Yes, go for it, why not make it a cool 70?
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..Enter to win a Copy of Purpose Driven Life & Join me for the 6th Annual Reading =-.
Hey Kiesha –
This is a thoughtful post! I think that there are many reasons that people prefer to take and keep jobs in large companies. For one thing, it is relatively easy to get a low level job that does not pay well, but does allow you to avoid taking much responsibility. Some people do not like having to be responsible and would prefer to do the same thing every day. There is nothing wrong with that. There is also a social aspect to working in a large company that some people like.
Some people are leaders, but most are followers – why? Because NOT making decisions and NOT taking responsibility is easier. The funny thing is that in larger companies, the leaders at each level tend to act as entrepreneurs because they have to. If their department underperforms, then their department could be closed. Their staff can just follow directions, which is all that they were hired to do.
But really, it is like many things in life. If my father had been a coal miner, I wonder if I would have followed that path as well. The choice between the corporate life and going out on your own is one that everyone has to make, and it is one that effects the rest of your life. That fact alone probably prevents most people from taking the more risky path.
But that risk has more to do with whether you want to be a leader or a follower than it does who you will work for.
I gather from the comments here that most of us want to be leaders. That is why I am here to be sure.
So how do you become a leader? You must have vision, an idea, a reason that others would view you as a leader. There is no class, and no easy route, no way to avoid risk. You have to break new ground, or find a way to make others think you have (I am against that last part, BTW).
The hard road is always the path less chosen. I wish everyone here the best of luck with this.
Have a good day!
.-= mark´s last blog ..When Is Doing Something Well Not Enough? Now. =-.
Hi Keisha,
Love the article and the motivation to work for ourselves, rather than The Man.
But, I think Mark brings up some great points as well. If your parents weren’t business owners, you may not be exposed to the mindset of entrepreneurship or even believe that you can do it. Taking the path of least resistence and following in your parents footsteps is very tempting and many people succumb to that.
I also agree with Mark in that risk plays a major part in the decision-making process of going into corporate life or becoming self-employed. If stability is your #1 priority in life, you’ll do anything to meet that need. It may be a fallacy that corporate life will give you stability, but when we’re young and make these initial decisions, you can get stuck on that mindset.
As with anything in life, we have choices. We owe it to ourselves to become self-aware and know whether self-employment or corporate life is the right decision FOR us. Also, I guess it’s not really an OR choice as we can evolve into either choice.
Great article and one that really resonates with me.
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Major Benchmark Today – My 100th Post =-.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mark. You really just explained it for me! You’re right, leading is not for everyone. That’s how they are able to maintain their sanity while I’m having a mental meltdown about not being able to go outside
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
Ha – right. Its not always a fun club to be in, but those of us who want more tend to have a meltdown now and again – does not make us bad people, right?
.-= mark´s last blog ..5 Steps to New Motivation and Productivity =-.
I only have 2 thoughts:
1) MANY people love security over freedom. They will never get it. Some do, MOST don’t…though many will strive to attain.
2) And this is the MOST important, read this twice:
“YOU ARE EITHER LIVING YOUR OWN DREAMS,
OR SOMEBODY ELSES”.
I don’t know where that saying came from, but it is soooooo, soooo true.
BrandonBurgh
.-= BrandonBurgh´s last blog ..Email Marketing Servants – Do You Add Value? =-.
Hi Brandon!
I’ve heard those quotes before, too – and they are true. All the hard work that most of us put in really ends up benefiting someone else. It’s a shame, really.
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..Enter to win a Copy of Purpose Driven Life & Join me for the 6th Annual Reading =-.
Completely agree, you have to do what you love and the money will follow (somehow!).
.-= Jorgen Sundberg´s last blog ..7 Benefits of Personal Branding for Solopreneurs and the Self-Employed =-.
Hi Jorgen!
Yes, but it’s that “somehow” part that get us
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
I would much prefer to work for myself – but most people are trained another way. It is social conditioning.
.-= JadeDragon@innovativepassiveincome´s last blog ..Blog Contest and Updates =-.
Hi Jade,
Yeah, it is social conditioning to accept the myth that if you just work hard enough, it’ll pay off…someday
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The 1 Thing You Must Internalize to Succeed as a Blogger =-.
Hi Kiesha,
No, you’re definitely not crazy. I’m one of those who have stuck with the 9-5 grind but it’s more like 6-6. I was prepared to give up my dreams in the hope that I could help my children have theirs.
But, it’s not working. I’m just working longer and longer hours and seeing less and less of them. It took a while for me to realize that I was wrong.
Now, I’m going after what I want and trying to show my children that it’s more important to follow your dreams than it is to live a ‘safe’ life.
Thanks for a great article.
Hi Jazz,
I feel you, I’ve spent entirely too much time away from my children and I’m doing my best to bring that to an end. I wish you and your family the best
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..Enter to win a Copy of Purpose Driven Life & Join me for the 6th Annual Reading =-.
I just found your website and began reading everyones comments. Thanks it’s been an inspiring read. I have a job in the medic al field that drains me everyday. I am a receptionist for 5 dr’s. The drama everyday of hateful co-workers. There is no security in the in 8 to 5. I have been praying Lord help me get out of this horible rut. I know I was created for something better than what I I have been living. I just need some direction. I have great people skills that why I am excellent at my job. If I would work on my own dreams as hard as I work at my job I know with God’s help I can make it happen. Financially they pay me hardly nothing.people always asSume I own my own bussiness, I am definatley not living to my full potential. Have any advise?
Susan,
follow your passions and know you are doing good with them and God will sort out the rest.
Brandon