Employed? Be insecure...

Bob Dylan’s “the times they are a changing” was written in 1964. They could have  been  written  yesterday.

Never has there been more volatility in the world. Here today…gone tomorrow. Acquired today…sold off tomorrow. Hired today…redundant tomorrow.

The time of the entrepreneur or sole proprietor has never been more relevant. Following your passion may yet make you a perceived expert or professional. That being said, bolt on a marketing / business brain and this may lead to people and other companies contracting in your skills and services! I did say MAY didn’t I?

Being an employee and one paycheck away from standing on the street with a cup in your hand makes many feel rather jittery and insecure. Likewise if you were in the back of an UN-licensed and UN-roadworthy  taxi thundering down the road at 120 kph+ you’d feel pretty nervous! There’s not much difference, and sadly you see so many people getting the life sucked out of them by organizations or autocratic leaders every day. Why suck it up? Well, those private schools and rising electricity bills for one!

But it takes big brass ones to up-and-leave and start your own thing! Yip, that’s true…and the stats of keeping your doors open 6 months down the line are sadly very real…..

HOWEVER….what’s the price of selling out and prostituting yourself like a Seapoint corner-girl? Putting on a brave face and talking the company “talk” to show you’re a “company man” is a far bigger sell-out. Al Pacino said it well in Scent of a Woman:

“Mr. Sims doesn’t want it. He doesn’t need to labeled: “Still worthy of being a ‘Baird Man.’” What the hell is that? What is your motto here? “Boys, inform on your classmates, save your hide” – anything short of that we’re gonna burn you at the stake? Well, gentlemen, when the shit hits the fan some guys run and some guys stay. Here’s Charlie facing the fire; and there’s George hidin’ in big Daddy’s pocket. And what are you doin’? You’re gonna reward George and destroy Charlie.”

Although the context is slightly different and Charlie doesn’t want snitch on George, it’s effectively speaks to character and selling out.

Smarten up people…do whatever it takes to do your own thing. The rewards will make you proud!