The other day, I was going through some papers and came across a question I’d written down. It said, “Why settle for false security when you can have the real thing?”<\/p>\n
Apparently, I’m not the only one challenging the conventional notion about what constitutes security.<\/p>\n
When I saw this piece from Christine Kane, I thought it was the perfect way to end Got Options? month here at Buon Viaggio<\/em>. Obviously, she has given much thought to what constitutes genuine security.<\/p>\n \u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0<\/p>\n One of the scariest things I ever did was quit my first (and only) \u201creal\u201d job so I could begin my own brand of\u00a0creative work<\/strong> in the world.<\/p>\n I became \u2013 gasp! \u2013 self-employed.<\/p>\n I was warned of the risks. I was told I\u2019d lose my benefits and security. I was told it\u2019s \u201chard out there\u201d working for yourself.<\/p>\n The\u00a0assumption<\/strong> so many people base one of their biggest life choices on is that working for yourself is risky.\u00a0 After 16 years of making a living on my own terms \u2013 I believe the exact opposite!<\/p>\n So, here are seven new perspectives on the well-worn idea of \u201cJob Security.\u201d (My reasons why NOT to have a job.)<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0Having a job is risky.<\/strong><\/p>\n When you have a job, someone can take away your income in two words: \u201cYou\u2019re fired.\u201d\u00a0 This is happening more and more as companies crumble in the face of\u00a0global changes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you ask me, there\u2019s nothing secure about that.<\/p>\n In your own business, when a client or customer moves on \u2013 then guess what?\u00a0 You get to say, \u201cNext!\u201d<\/p>\n 2. No Bonus Pay for Messing Up.<\/strong><\/p>\n When you mess up at your job, you get punished, maybe even a pay-cut. Then you have to run around \u201cmaking nice\u201d to the people who might lay you off or promote someone else who\u2019s younger and \u201chungry.\u201d (Hungry for what? More time at the office?)<\/p>\n When one of my clients faces challenges in her business, I remind her to be excited. She\u2019s getting\u00a0paid to learn<\/strong>!\u00a0 Every mistake teaches her more about\u00a0how to succeed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Instead of getting an MBA \u2013 she\u2019s getting a TBF. (Trial by Fire!)\u00a0 TBF\u2019s yield a high ROI!<\/p>\n 3. Your Ceiling isn\u2019t Adjustable When you Have a Job.<\/strong><\/p>\n Often, I show clients multiple places they can\u00a0generate income<\/strong> in their business within the next few months.\u00a0 Their eyes light up as they realize that the possibilities are endless.\u00a0 They stop thinking in terms of \u201chours for dollars,\u201d and start thinking of\u00a0passive income<\/strong>.\u00a0 (Hey, why not get paid while you sleep?)<\/p>\n In a job, you can\u2019t adjust your income based on the value you provide. Instead you have to ask for a raise.\u00a0 Not fun.<\/p>\n 4. Pantyhose.<\/strong><\/p>\n As I write this, I\u2019m working.<\/p>\n I\u2019m wearing a Tarheels baseball cap, a\u00a0t-shirt, and jeans<\/strong>. I\u2019ve got my feet propped up on the deck railing as birds sing at the feeder.<\/p>\n When I had a job, there was a dress code. And rules about what you could have on your desk. There was limited time for lunch, and no time for\u00a0creativity<\/strong>.\u00a0 And don\u2019t even get me started on pantyhose!<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Your money doesn\u2019t go as far.<\/strong><\/p>\n Did you know that employee income is the most heavily taxed income in the U.S.? \u00a0\u00a0As an employee, almost half your salary will go to taxes.\u00a0 You get to spend what\u2019s left on living expenses.<\/p>\n One of my first self-employed discoveries was that my money went MUCH further \u2013 because I could\u00a0invest in myself<\/strong> with pre-tax income.\u00a0 Any good accountant will help you make your dollars expand in your own business.<\/p>\n 6. Focusing on your Weaknesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n Have you ever heard of a \u201c360?\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s when your co-workers and supervisors (and anyone else who wants to chip in) analyze your job performance. You learn all about your weaknesses \u2013 and you get a review outlining the ways you need to work on them. Often, people leave these \u201c360\u201d reviews in tears.<\/p>\n In the world of the solo-preneur, we don\u2019t mess with our weaknesses. The motto is\u00a0Strengthen your Strengths. Hire your Weaknesses<\/strong>. In other words, as you become aware of your weaknesses, you don\u2019t waste your precious energy fixing them.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0Negative Environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n Many office environments don\u2019t encourage\u00a0creative thinking<\/strong> or positive focus. Instead, there\u2019s lots of negativity among employees who feel powerless.<\/p>\n In your own business, you set the tone, and you choose who enters your environment. You become\u00a0personally responsible<\/strong> for every aspect of your life.<\/p>\n This is often more uncomfortable than sitting back and blaming \u201cThe Man,\u201d but it will absolutely free you.<\/p>\n \u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0\u00b0<\/p>\n Christine Kane is the Mentor to People Who are Changing the World. She helps women and men Uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly Uplevel You eZine goes out to over 20,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at\u00a0http:\/\/christinekane.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n