I’ve heard many times that a regular pay check is security. Actually, it’s regularity. You know to the penny how much you’ll earn every week or twice a month. But it can be cut off on any day in between–making the next regular pay check your last–for reasons having much or nothing to do with you or your performance. That’s not security.
Knowing when your business is facing trouble and taking action to forestall it creates security. The person who works in their own business is responsible for their own future. The person who works for someone else puts their future in someone else’s hands. Perhaps that person is capable, but is their boss? Their boss’s boss? The board, which may be a bunch of strangers? All that uncertainty creates job and career insecurity.
Some people cannot make a move to go out on their own because of real or perceived obstacles. If the obstacles are real, I understand, truly. And we’re in a recession. Though one interested source thinks recession is a good time to start a business. And everyone doesn’t have the personality to work for themselves. Consultant Hank Goldstein and I talked about that on my show, in a segment called, “So You Want To Be A Consultant.”
I know self employment is not for everyone, and everyone who wants it can’t get to it.
Yet, I think it’s the only way to find true job and career security.
I absolutely agree, Tony. I’ve been a freelancer for 25+ years and the best part, by far, is the security of having multiple income streams. When one project ends or a contract isn’t renewed, it’s not the end of the world because there are always other projects and other clients. Of course, you have to put yourself out there and hustle to keep the pipeline full but that’s all part of working for yourself.
I would like to add that the only true job security is when your services are needed. It doesn’t matter whether you own your own business or work for someone else.
Thanks for your question, Jeff. The number of likes (17, to date) is the largest I’ve gotten in many, many months. So not only do readers not object, they substantially like the post. Not all my readers are salaried fundraisers. The 3 comments so far are from self-employed consultants. Finally, why wouldn’t salaried folks like to hear the suggestion that there’s a more secure professional life available to them?
I could not agree with you more, Tony. An additional piece of advice for those intending to becoming
self-employed: Get a part-time job to buttress what might be sporadic income from running your own business.
Tony, as a serial entrepreneur myself, I am in full agreement with your opinion, but why advocate (or opine on) this to an audience of salaried fundraisers?
This brings to mind George Bernard Shaw’s “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” It’s true that not everyone is cut out to be a business owner – doing so requires courage, commitment and dedication. But it can also be a confidence-builder because as long as you’re working for someone else, you’ll never really know the extent of your true potential or the impact you might have on others. The wisdom would be in the preparation and form of business that one starts – for instance, one might take on a partner to complement their strengths and/or weaknesses. Really looking forward to this conversation. Sounds like a great one!