Why unquestioned career ideas may work against us today
This page is about career ideas. The beliefs we have about work. Why we need to ask if these beliefs are still true and relevant today.
Let's start by challenging the biggest belief about work that most of us unquestioningly accept.
A job is THE only way to make a living.
When I first set my mind to considering the alternative, I was astonished by the implications. I wondered why no one had mentioned it to me before. Throughout university and into my first years in the workforce, I never heard anyone suggest that there might be another way of looking at the issue of jobs and employment. The rare individuals who chose a different path were always portrayed as risk takers, as though that meant they were somehow less responsible or diligent than the majority.
I must caution that challenging this most fundamental of career ideas could, if you allow it, completely upset your way of thinking. Your first reaction may even be to reject it outright because it is so foreign to your thinking.
Ready?
A job is NOT the only way to make a living.
There. I've said it. Did that shock you?
What They Forgot To Tell Us Before We Left School
Most of us have been conditioned to believe that a job is the solution to financial security. It is the way of life for our parents, our teachers, our peers. Society reinforces it by hinting that the unemployed and people who for various reasons are not in full time employment as somehow of less value than others.
But how secure are you really when you work for someone else?
The Trouble With Being An Employee
In 2009, Ford Australia laid off 600 jobs. This was followed by a second-round cut of 350 jobs. Nearly one thousand workers and their families had their livelihoods and lifestyles suddenly disrupted because of economic recession, an event completely outside their control.
Same goes for Yahoo.
Watch this video and replace "Yahoo" in your mind with the name of any other company you can think of. Because this could happen to anyone.
If these laid-off workers receive job offers soon after, good for them. What happens if they don't?
What happens if their rainy day reserves run out before a job offer comes along?
What if they are families living on one income?
What if there's a work accident that makes it impossible for the employee to work, and the insurance company (or TAC) takes a year to pay out?
These are scenarios no one likes to think about. We hope we can be exempted from what happens to other people. But life can change so quickly and events happen that can create added stress in our lives. The global financial crisis is a prime example.
Studies have shown that money worries are the main cause of domestic disputes. If the sole source of income dries up, how do you maintain your current lifestyle? The prospect is too depressing, so most of us avoid going there. But this is exactly why we need to anticipate, plan and get organized - so that we can minimize the risk of something we don't wish to happen.
When Should You Think About Plan B?
The time to think of
ways to buffer your source of income,
particularly if your family is living on one income, is when you are NOT facing a financial crisis.
It's one of the ironies of life that banks are happy to lend you money when you don't need it. When you've actually lost your job and you can't service your mortgage, you may find your bank suddenly becomes very practical and legalistic.
Fear and desperation have a way of making us vulnerable to work from scams and other make-quick-money-online schemes.
If you can get used to this revolutionary career idea - that a job is not the only way to make money - you're more aware and empowered than most workers.
Career Builders
Making decisions about your career can be complex and stressful. What if a career change idea leads you down an unknown path? That's why we've created a page on powerful and effective tips, tools and techniques that can help take some of the stress and anxiety out of decision making.
Jot it down right away! You can always go back to it again later. But if you don't write it down immediately, you can be pretty sure it won't be there for you to "go back to" when you need it.
The most frustrating thing in the world is having a once-in-a-lifetime flash of inspiration... and then losing it because you were lazy or complacent.
I can't tell you how many times I've lost perfect lines and ideas (that could have translated into a fortune, who knows?) because I thought I could attend to them later. Don't be like me.
