Why do you want a job so bad?

“You know… Security.”

What kind of security are you talking about? Putting your financial fate in someone else’s hands feels safe to you?

This rant is aimed at entrepreneurial types, as well as people who want the security of a steady job. I believe both should be mindful of the risks of NOT investing in yourself.

The False of a Job Security

A friend told me a story about his boss. Another co-worker has left the company for a competing company, and that boss has threatened them that if they remained in contact with that guy “there will be consequences”.

This friend sat all through lunch with me in agony trying to decide if he should meet this friend over the weekend, since they made plans to meet.

I asked him – why do you stay there? And he replied – security.

Now, I know this is an extreme example, and most jobs and bosses are not that bad. But the fact still remains – when you are in a “job” you place your financial eggs in someone else’s basket. It doesn’t have to be a horrible boss that fired you, it could be that the company went bankrupt. They’re making cuts. Your department is being canceled. Whatever the reason may be – you have no control of it.

I’m not trying to convince you to quit your job, or feel bad for wanting a good job. Jobs could be great. I am saying, however, that you must do whatever you can to have more control over your financial fate, and the best investment you can make is in yourself.

You will never fire yourself.

Investing in Yourself

The best long term thing you can do is invest in yourself. That could (and should) be done WHILE still having a job. I used to work at many different studios as a freelance animator, and while it wasn’t a full-time job, it was still working for someone else. During those times, I constantly invested in myself. I worked on my animation website/YouTube channel for years, slowly growing its income. At first it wasn’t enough to live off of, but it slowly got there.

When the studios didn’t call for weeks, or even months, I had some income to fall back on. Eventually, freelancing became purely optional.

Now THAT’S security.

Do your work. Get a job. Just don’t forget to keep investing in your own project/business/blog/etsy shop/podcast/YouTube channel or whatever works for you.

A job is always temporary. Always be mindful of working on your safety nets and future prospects.