"When are you going to get a “real” Job?"
Hmmm… Where might I be if I had?
Over the
years I have heard that question countless times from well meaning friends and
family.Of course, they thought they were
looking out for my best interest. When are you gonna get a real job? For those
reading this who know me, you can only imagine how that fueled my doing the
exact opposite! Though I must admit, over the years, when times were their most
challenging, I did second guess myself more than a few times but the horrid
thought of having someone else in control of my time and my future was always
too much to bear.
So, recently
I was talking to a very dear friend about his job woes. Like so he was used to
having a pretty good life courtesy of a pretty great “job” but now finds
himself living a pretty scary life thankful to have even a mediocre job. He was
one of the masses of laid off (after 21years)and now working in a job doing
more than twice the work and getting half the pay, reminding himself how lucky
he is to have one at all (He was jobless
for 19 months). I bet you know someone like that too…maybe, forced into early
retirement with next to no retirement funds or far worse? Sadly, I know too
many men and women like this. For some staggering figures click here,
So, talking got me to thinking about
where I might be if I had listened…If I hadn’t ventured into the scary and
exciting world of being an entrepreneur.…I believe my story might be something
like this…
I might not
have cultivated my strong communication skills or expanded my comfort zone so
exponentially to gain the true inner confidence to know that no matter what
life throws me, I am strong and can handle it. I certainly would not be able to
adjust my own schedule as I see fit to be with my daughter when I choose. The
thought of having to ask permission to take a day off or be sick makes my
stomach turn. Having to work the things that are most important to me around my
work schedule vs. my work schedule accommodating my life would probably leave
me bitter and perhaps make me feel angry and trapped.
My daughter,
wouldn’t have the strong work ethic, people skills and pride in our businesses
she already has if she never saw what Mommy really does. She would likely be in
before and/or after care at school, leaving me maybe an hour of time with her
each night after dinner, baths and activities instead of our normal morning
snuggles, our random chats and excursions, our multiple outbursts of song or
accented conversations. We might be fighting over homework and rushing every
second of every day instead of having lazy mommy and me time as well as ice
skating, theatre, choir, music, soccer, virtual charter school and more. She
might not be a whole grade level ahead because I wouldn’t have had the ability
to spend so much time with her, teaching her from the time she arrived in this
world. And again, I wouldn’t be spending
my time working my “job” AROUND my LIFE.
Certainly I would not have been able to spend every
necessary minute or hour needed making sure my mom was cared for properly in
her final years and all without worry of losing my job. Being with her as she passed
was priceless.
Don’t get me wrong. The path of an Entrepreneur isn’t always
easy. It isn’t always simple but it is always equal to your level of belief and
commitment to yourself, your ability to
adapt and sheer determination.Don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't work as hard. I often work harder but it is always because it is my choice.
Sure, I might have a pension or maybe not. I might have a
few weeks paid vacation and paid benefits or maybe not…I probably wouldn’t get
a gold watch or party when I retire. Who gets that anymore? I’d likely have
more headaches, back or neck aches, digestive or mental ailments from all the
stress of not having control of my future. Fear of job loss, a decrease in pay
or benefits would be a normal everyday way of life.
Of course, I could blame my company or coworkers or even my
field if I didn’t wind up as successful as I wanted to be. Being an entrepreneur,
the only person I can truly blame is me. Some might see that as a drawback. I
see it as an opportunity to be responsible and true to myself, my family, my
future...
How would you see it?
