Jul 31 2008
Seize the Freedom of Self-Employment
Fear around the lack of money keeps many stuck within the slavery of employment. I believe more would seize the freedom of self-employment if they truly understood the value of the freedoms they have willingly given up. Most seasoned self-employed individuals joyously place a higher value on their continued freedom and would not give it up even for much more money.
What do we, as free workers, know that employees do not? We intimately understand and are invigorated by the value of the freedoms that come from doing work that we love in our own way. We believe that it’s our sacred responsibility to safeguard this freedom.
I believe that we enjoy three essential freedoms that employees do not.
1). The freedom of autonomy is our independence. It’s our ability to exercise self-government. Answering to the whims and rules of another is akin to slavery.
2). The freedom of self-determination could also be called the freedom of unlimited decisiveness. By enjoying this freedom we get to decide and choose both our day-to-day work projects and over all strategies and objectives.
2). The freedom of self-expression is simply what we are able to say without hesitation or restriction. This freedom is at the core of our well-being and the freedom I want to discuss today.
The ability to speak our minds on any issue, in any setting, to anyone is invaluable because it’s directly tied to the magnificence of our own authentic identity. When you knowingly restrict your identity you have assumed an identity that is less than your core being. This pretense wounds you deeply at a soul level. Identity restriction is a slow deadening process where the individual hides his true feelings and ultimately settles for less of a life then he or she may have lived.
Many employees complain about their work but throw up the money or security excuse as reasons why their hands are tied. These employees know they have settled for something less than they could be enjoying but they have yet to find the courage to make their move.
How can we, the joyfully self-employed help them to seize their freedom? We can help by talking about how wonderful our freedom feels. We can help by replacing money with freedom as the new standard of success. We can encourage them to be bold and let their freedom ring as an example to their children.
If you are happily employed and can honestly accept the accompanying restrictions, please stay where you are. But if you are among the majority of unhappy employees, know this: the freedoms of self-employment can lead you into a life of unlimited prosperity.
Prosperity comes through enhanced awareness so we can see and seize the right opportunities at the right time.
By working on what you want to work on and dearly value you’ll end up producing work of higher value that will make you prosperous. Please trust that everyone wants to support individuals who put their heart and soul into their work. Trust your internal yearnings to be the man or woman you can here to be. Seize your freedom now!
If you are employed but want to seize your freedom - tell us how we can help.
If you are self-employed and would like to encourage others to make their move - please comment on how freeing self-employment feels to you.
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boy, did i need this reminder today! perfect timing! thanks tom!
all the best!
deb
debs last blog post..obama went somewhere? (a.k.a. slow news day)
Deb that’s cool. Now what can you say to encourage others? How does self-employment feel to you at it’s best?
Awesome post! I am newly self-employed and I couldn’t agree with you more. I found working where I had been I was being punished for working with the ethics and integrity that I value. Unfortunately my values didn’t match others who did things under the table. I was told I wasn’t a match for the job. When I think about that, it was really a compliment in disguise. My boss was more right than she’ll ever know.
Now I am my own boss and I don’t feel I have to compromise my values for anyone. I can be true to myself. I also find that my work is a better quality because I can hide behind no one but me. That being said, I have the freedom to use my creativity to its fullest stretching myself with new levels of excellence. But the best thing is seeing the truth in the statement “If you can dream it, you can do it!”
I usually tell people that in my last year in sales I made 4 x the money I made last year in coaching and I still wouldn’t go back.
They either think I’m mental or say something along the lines of Wow!
I’m still aiming at a lot more money, but it’s no longer the motivating factor. It’s a bye-product.
Tim Brownsons last blog post..How To Drive A Man Crazy
Thank you for the post — it sums up so much of what I’ve felt about full-time employment.
Today was my final day in my technical support job, and the final day I plan to ever work as a 9-5 employee in my life. I’m going to be doing my freelance writing and website creation (instead of squeezing it into the early mornings and weekends) — and I’m absolutely THRILLED to have the opportunity.
Every day in the office felt like I was becoming a “fake” Ali, a person who shut down her real thoughts, feelings, dreams, ambitions and passions to work at something she didn’t really have any heart for.
I’m the sort of person who can’t just go through the motions and do the bare minimum … I HATE to do less than my best … so it’s been quite a draining time.
If you’re stuck in a job which isn’t right for you, and which never will be, then figure out an escape plan. I saved up a third of my post-tax pay for eight months, and got up at 6am every weekday to do my freelancing (I’ve earned about $2000 since February from it). Yes, it’s tough, but believe me, that feeling on your last day in the corporate world is WAAAAAAAAYYYYY worth it!
:-)
I went self-employed about 4 months ago after seeing that my time and skills were being were being wasted in full-time employment. Though hard work and dedication, I have made an income of USD26,000 through my self-employment.
This will not be possible for many, but the money is purely an end-product. The feeling of success in my determination have been the biggest reward.
Now, after 4 months, I have a great portfolio and I can relax a bit. Where there is a will, there is a way.
As a born anarchist, I’ve been self-employed for half of my adult life. I’ve done a lot of things: from baking for my daily bread, owning a translation bureau and then a women’s magazine to freelance writing, creating websites and, in the last couple of years, designing jewellery.
Aside from the freedom of authority, one of the things I enjoy most about being self-employed, is that I am able to pursue new avenues of interest whenever I feel like it. Yeah, the money hasn’t always been great (and certainly far from secure), but I’ve been able to develop many sides of myself. And it’s always been fun.
I’ve done corporate life (my original background is business), but the main reason for quitting is that I was too bored.
I can definitely recommend self-employment for people with low boredom thresholds, a need for freedom and a desire to develop themselves.
Louise Pools last blog post..Are You a Natural Entrepreneur
i gotta go with louise on the boredom thing. no two days are the same anymore. and that rocks!
and i’m not stuck in an office.
one day, i might be out and about seeing clients and what-not. or i might be out shooting (photography). or i might be at home, writing or editing or marketing.
a big part for me is….i don’t have to waste time anymore. i don’t have to waste time on activities that really don’t have an effect on the business, but that some power-that-be decided would look good to THEIR boss….just to show they were ‘doing something’.
and i don’t have to waste time on office politics.
(that really is a big part of getting ahead in corporate life, whether people like it or not. and it’s silly.)
i also have the freedom TO waste time.
is there an event going on in the middle of the week i’d really like to go to? okay. so i can do that. (i might work on the weekend to catch up. or maybe i’ll work at night. i have deadlines and i have to work around client schedules. but most of the time, there is much more freedom in scheduling than when i ever worked for someone else.)
and the sense of accomplishment.
if you work harder, you see the rewards.
in corporate life, i could work harder/better/faster/accomplish more….and i’d still see the same 3% annual raise that everyone else got.
i’m making a lot less money right now.
but i’m completely okay with that. which is the other thing that surprised me. you really don’t need as much money as you think you do to be happy.
but mostly…..doing what you love. you really can’t put a price on doing what you love. i’ve had jobs i hated. i’ve had jobs that i hated so much that it had negative impacts on every other area in my life. the paycheck was good and there was security. but i was miserable (and so were the people around me). nothing is worth that.
hope this helps!
all the best!
deb
debs last blog post..scrabulous on facebook
Laurie damn right you are not a match for any JOB! You are much more than that - you’re an inspiration!
Tim I know exactly what you mean and if you’re mental then I’m right there with you.
All I want to be clear on this. Prosperity and self-employment are
not mutually exclusive. Often there is an adjustment period but that is temporary. Do not buy that you have to make less just because you’re self-employed. What happens sometimes though is that you’re so relived and happy you really don’t sweat the money thing as much.
Ripster thanks for making my point so well. It’s much easier to work hard when you are the boss and the one benefiting isn’t it? You have some wonderful momentum going.
Ali congratulations on the eve of your freedom. You heard it here folks. Ali says to go for it!
Louise I also work many streams of income and I love the complete freedom to just go where my energy sends me. Forget boredom, that just doesn’t happen in self-employment.
Deb thanks for the delicious snapshot of how you express your freedoms. I’m sure that you are encouraging many. I also just love doing things on a whim. Often mid-day I’ll play someonline poker just because I can.
Thanks Tom, I printed out your comment and stuck it on my bulletin board right in front of my computer (complete with your smiling face!). It’s nice to think I’m an inspiration! :O)
Yeah but it isn’t easy trying to be self employed. I’m an expert guitarist who can sweep arpeggios like Yngwie Malmsteen, I’m good looking and I flip my guitar around my back on stage and play almost every major guitar rock cover from Joe Satriani and Steve Vai to Jason Becker and Shawn Lane, and yet in 7 years I still cant manage to make more than $15,000 a year.
Self employment might as well be dead. You have to have a lot of good ole boy connections to be self employed.
Derick thanks for presenting the other side of the story. Much but not all you say is true. Just because you are a wonderful guitarist does not mean that it necessarily equates to increased income. You did not share what you liked about enjoying your freedom. To hang in there for 7 years tells me that you like a lot about it.
I strongly disagree that you must have connections to catch a break. Although I’m sure it can help in your highly competitive industry it is not the deciding factor. You didn’t ask for any advice but how can I remain silent?
I consider changing two things if I were you.
1). Your attitude needs to be one of possibility not resignation. It is up to you - who else could it possibly be?
2). Look to apply your considerable talents to something only you can play because it was created by you. Originality will increase the probability of success.
Be strong, be bold, be original and know that you can create your own breaks. It’s not always easy but it is worth it.
Do you know what really gets to me? Those scientists who work for research facilities and come up with these brilliant inventions but it belongs to their employer. I think the beauty of self-employment lies in the fact that you “get to keep” whatever you create. If you write a book your name goes on the front cover, if you create a corporation you can name yourself President/CEO or whatever you want and get full credit for anything your corporation accomplishes. I think it all boils down to ownership.
Marelisas last blog post..100 Tips to Simplify Your Life
I agree with you in that many people stay in a bad job simply because they need the money.
I’m all for saving up as much as you can and then making the leap to self employment. It’s a whole lot nicer than working for a dumb boss.
At least with self employment you can only complain about how dumb you are yourself.
Politics as Usuals last blog post..Barack Obama, “The One”
Marelisa I guess those scientist are well aware of the trade going in. They just want to research and they realize that they may not come up with anything. It appears nuts, I know but I’m betting that scientists are among that small group of happier employees out there. It’s interesting that you use the word ownership because that’s what many corporations try to instill i their workers a sense of ownership. Too bad the workers can’t just wise up and be their own boss, for that’s the only real ownership.
Politics as Usual I agree. We get to be our own best boss and our own worst boss. How sweet it is.
Overall, I couldnt agree with a first sentence more.
Thanks for an excellent post
Cheers,
Glen
Glen Allsopps last blog post..PluginID Update - 9 Days In
Greetings Glen stay awhile longer and comment a bit more on your next visit.
My partner and I were just discussing last night how we would be doing the same things as we are doing now if we had a lot more money.
I used this way of thinking even when I had very little money (we are comfortable now), which was for several years. I was not working, so my days were free, and I focused on how my activities were actually the things I wanted to be doing, however much money I had (they weren’t exactly, but were as close as I could get) - I think this was a big part of how I changed things around. (couldn’t resist my other comment just now!)
Robins last blog post..This Blogging Life!
Robin that’s beautiful to know. When we were kids we just did things for the joy of it. It seems as though you continued along this path and at the same time by not making money a big deal the comfort came. Good show. I admire you for choosing what you want.
Great article. I agree. For a long time the biggest fear was the money thing until I realized that my time is worth a lot more!!! I’m now doing freelance design and illustration from home and loving it.
Its great to run your own show! I am very happy I made the choice a few years to go on my own.
Hillels last blog post..Aug 10, For The Entrepreneur In Israel and Around The World
Chris welcome. There is no substitute for freedom. I’m please you have hit your stride.
Hillel welcome. Thanks for visiting. There are many of us who are very pleased with the decision to run our own shows. Congratulations!
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