10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job (Blog)

[qed]

This is a rather provocative piece and it does have some interesting points. But it is very heavily biased!! Take its advice only after you consider BOTH sides of the equation and seeing its ramifications on what you can do once you cross over to the self-employment/business ownership side!

Having a job is NOT what Steve makes it look like unless you have a minimum wage job or you are completely miserable where you currently work. Companies, managers, groups of people are all necessary to create valuable products. People come together to unite their talent and productive abilities. If you ever jump over to the self-employment or business ownership side of the fence, you quickly realize this.

Don't believe me? Make a list of everything you need to start a business.. But don't cheat if you are going to start a blog and talk about personal development! You are not a one-man show at all! Who wrote all those books you devoured over the years to inspire your writing? Who funded all that research? Who is hosting your website? Who wrote that blogging software you are about to use?

Getting a job looks bad when people forget why they decided to work together and what it is they are trying to achieve. I think this piece would have been a lot better if it reminded its readers about this point.

In short, getting a job is NOT throwing in the towel at all so long as you are making a conscious choice. In fact, almost everything Steve talks about has been discovered by people who had jobs as researchers, scientists, engineers, etc.. If he is able to see far, it is because he is standing on the shoulders of countless hours of work performed by employees whose contributions to society happened within the resourceful environment provided by a company or a research institution.

Before you quit, reconsider your own knowledge, skills, talents and passions... And decide what you can do on your own alone.. How will you find others to join forces? And once you find them, won't your new work place look like a company? Can you find an already existing company which you can join? Do you have to create one from scratch? Do you create everything from scratch when you need something?

Think!

[Steve Pavlina]

Then again... you could start an online business for $8 when you're 14 years old and be making $1 million a year by the time you're 17, just like Ashely Qualls did with WhateverLife.com.

Getting a job is just too risky these days.

[4Mind4Life]

There's nothing wrong with getting a job or being self-employed. Just do what you truly desire. Being self-employed probably isn't as difficult as most people think.....especially if you a smart person.

[qed]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Then again... you could start an online business for $8 when you're 14 years old and be making $1 million a year by the time you're 17, just like Ashely Qualls did with WhateverLife.com.

Getting a job is just too risky these days.

So is differentiating yourself from others who have access to the same technology and similar non-differentiable skills and knowledge.

For Ashley's full story, check this out:

Girl Power - Whateverlife.com - Ashley Qualls - Nabbr

It doesn't look like smooth-sailing to me and that's the point.

Don't do anything because it is "less risky".. The risk is doing something because "there is a lot of money in it". Just be the best you can be doing what others want, need and value, and money will not be an issue.

[qed]

Originally Posted by 4Mind4Life

Being self-employed probably isn't as difficult as most people think.....especially if you a smart person.

Probably is the keyword my friend. Everything looks easy from an abstract, top-down view... until you attempt it yourself and try to figure out all the details that go into making it happen.

[qed]

If you have something remarkable, go for it! Don't wait!

If not, then try reading this:

Seth's Blog: Thinking outside the (eBay) search box

Online or offline, there are no shortcuts. If you don't have the intangibles (knowledge, skill, interest, insight, etc), an $8 website won't make you millions. Neither will self-employment.

[Steve Pavlina]

Smooth sailing is for dead people. Navigating the rapids is much more fun, fulfilling, and growth-generating.

The greatest risk is that of dying while still alive.

[cdn2wheeler]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Smooth sailing is for dead people. Navigating the rapids is much more fun, fulfilling, and growth-generating.

Steve, you're right, there's no question about that. (What's that line? A ship in the harbour is safe and secure, but ships aren't made for harbours... something like that...)

But there's a fundamental reality that also needs to be addressed.

I know, personally, of two people who have set extraordinarily lofty goals for themselves, followed their dreams and ended up with dramatically different results.

Fellow #1 was determined to be a musician. Quit school, practiced-practiced-practiced, toured and toured and toured... and now he's living the dream life with a dream wife in a dream house on the California coast enjoying the fruits of his labours.

Fellow #2 set a goal of being a race driver. Put 100% of himself into it. Practiced-practiced-practiced, did all the right things, made the connections, spent scads of money on cars and training. It ruined 2 marriages, he's declared bankruptcy once and is close to going through it again. And he has yet to set wheels onto a track in a race.

Point is that there may be a time when one has to realize that, for whatever reason, the goal simply won't work, and driving further into it ceases to be positive. Not everyone can be an astronaut.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

Fellow #1 was determined to be a musician. Quit school, practiced-practiced-practiced, toured and toured and toured... and now he's living the dream life with a dream wife in a dream house on the California coast enjoying the fruits of his labours.

Fellow #2 set a goal of being a race driver. Put 100% of himself into it. Practiced-practiced-practiced, did all the right things, made the connections, spent scads of money on cars and training. It ruined 2 marriages, he's declared bankruptcy once and is close to going through it again. And he has yet to set wheels onto a track in a race.

Both options seem fabulous to me. You imply that #1 is better than #2, but that doesn't ring true for me. Life just doesn't work that way.

I did the sink-into-debt-pursuing-your-passion-and-go-bankrupt thing, and I also went through the get-convicted-of-a-few-crimes script. Now I seem to be doing the wealth-and-abundance thing. These have all been wonderful and amazing experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I remember when I was arrested for grand theft sitting in the back of the police car, handcuffed, about to be taken to jail. I actually laughed out loud. The officer in the front seat gave me a look like I was nuts. But I thought to myself, "In this moment I am fully alive." On an ego level, getting arrested sucked. But on a soul level, I knew it would be an amazing growth experience.

The real risk is getting stuck with option 3:

Fellow #3 never got clear about what he wanted. So he just drifted through life in a fog. He played it safe instead of taking big risks. He earned a modest living, paid his bills on time, had an OK marriage, and played by the rules. But with each passing year, the feeling he was missing something grew louder and louder, but he drowned that voice with distractions: a job he didn't care for, watching TV, and idle conversation with people who didn't challenge him. He couldn't muster the courage to look deep inside that background feeling of dread. The closer he got to death, the more he feared he'd made a really big mistake.

I'd pick #2 over #3 any day. #2 may look scary, but it's an awesome ride if you don't fight it.

Also, if I had the choice of spending a day with fellow #1 or #2, I'd pick #2. That guy sounds like he has some serious tenacity and won't let a minor problem like money stop him. He must really love racing. He's a really lucky guy to be so clear about what he wants. He's already a massive success, despite what the external world has to say about it.

It's far better to lose all your stuff, go bankrupt, and bust a few marriages than to lose the inner connection to who you really are.

Option #1 may seem like the best outcome, but really option #1 and #2 are about the same in terms of their potential for growth. If anything #2 is a little better in that department. But option #3 trails so far behind, there's just no comparison, since option #3 is basically choosing a slow death.

[cdn2wheeler]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Both options seem fabulous to me. You imply that #1 is better than #2, but that doesn't ring true for me. Life just doesn't work that way.

I did the sink-into-debt-pursuing-your-passion-and-go-bankrupt thing, and I also went through the get-convicted-of-a-few-crimes script. Now I seem to be doing the wealth-and-abundance thing. These have all been wonderful and amazing experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I remember when I was arrested for grand theft sitting in the back of the police car, handcuffed, about to be taken to jail. I actually laughed out loud. The officer in the front seat gave me a look like I was nuts. But I thought to myself, "In this moment I am fully alive." On an ego level, getting arrested sucked. But on a soul level, I knew it would be an amazing growth experience.

The real risk is getting stuck with option 3:

Fellow #3 never got clear about what he wanted. So he just drifted through life in a fog. He played it safe instead of taking big risks. He earned a modest living, paid his bills on time, had an OK marriage, and played by the rules. But with each passing year, the feeling he was missing something grew louder and louder, but he drowned that voice with distractions: a job he didn't care for, watching TV, and idle conversation with people who didn't challenge him. He couldn't muster the courage to look deep inside that background feeling of dread. The closer he got to death, the more he feared he'd made a really big mistake.

I'd pick #2 over #3 any day. #2 may look scary, but it's an awesome ride if you don't fight it.

Also, if I had the choice of spending a day with fellow #1 or #2, I'd pick #2. That guy sounds like he has some serious tenacity and won't let a minor problem like money stop him. He must really love racing. He's a really lucky guy to be so clear about what he wants. He's already a massive success, despite what the external world has to say about it.

It's far better to lose all your stuff, go bankrupt, and bust a few marriages than to lose the inner connection to who you really are.

Option #1 may seem like the best outcome, but really option #1 and #2 are about the same in terms of their potential for growth. If anything #2 is a little better in that department. But option #3 trails so far behind, there's just no comparison, since option #3 is basically choosing a slow death.

Wise words here. Thank you for your insights.

Still not sure, though, about my buddy's choices which have led him into busted marriages and bankruptcy. If it was just him and his choices weren't impacting other people, then that's one thing. But he's got responsibilities to his kids, his exes have been damaged emotionally and financially, and they're all being impacted by those same choices.

I suppose it's somehow a matter of balancing the responsibilities that one has with others as well as the responsibility that one has for one's self. I dunno... I'm just talking here...

[Dive Bomb]

Maybe buddy #2 was sidetracted by a bad habit or something of that sort? According to logic here, 100% committment is fool-proof. I do believe we need to choose our goals wisely, based on our talents.

I don't think getting a job is bad if you like it and are living in a state of joy by doing it. I guess Steve post is referring to those who want to venture out on thier own in the world of business. They are the ones who are probably reading the article in the majority I assume.

[Brutha]

So I am warning you! It is NOT what it looks like. This single article, in isolation, is NOT the answer.

No, it isn't an answer but rather a question.
In the end everybody has to decide for himself what he wants to do with his life.
It's about making a conscious choice where a lot of people choose on default to take a job that they don't like, because "it's life" and "It wouldn't be called work if it would be fun".
It' about making conscious choices and taking the responsiblity instead of making your decisions on default and blaming the world around you.
[quote]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Getting a job is just too risky these days.

Maybe, you should take a few more risks, by getting a job? :P

[qed]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Smooth sailing is for dead people. Navigating the rapids is much more fun, fulfilling, and growth-generating.

Like I said, if you have something remarkable, or even unremarkable, go try it out. Noone is stopping you. The internet and other forces did indeed make many aspects of starting a business very cheap and easy.

However, don't expect the internet or technology to be a magic pill that will make all your problems disappear. You still need to know stuff, learn stuff and understand stuff and provide value (as seen by customers, not what you think is valuable)!!

Furthermore, don't block off potential opportunities within existing companies by thinking "no external entity could possibly be good for me. I have to start one from scratch on my own".

[tekomino]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

Fellow #2 set a goal of being a race driver. Put 100% of himself into it. Practiced-practiced-practiced, did all the right things, made the connections, spent scads of money on cars and training. It ruined 2 marriages, he's declared bankruptcy once and is close to going through it again. And he has yet to set wheels onto a track in a race.

Part of every achievement is being able to adapt. Being able to see what is working and what is not working and change your approach.

One of definitions of insanity is doing exactly the same thing and expecting different result. It ain't gonna happen.

I can't claim to know what Fellow#2 problem is, but it does seem like he did not adapt. Yeah he is probably not made for race car driver, but if looked deep enough at why he liked that, I bet he would've found that there are probably lots of other ways to satisfy that need, still be in racing circles, and be successful.

Familiarity breads contempt whether it is familiarity with success or failure. Trickiest part is actually changing when things do not go as you've planned.

[Revanto]

The thing about work is that there are two kinds of people: some that are happy to work by themselves and some that are happy to work for other people.

I'm a person that likes to work for himself but sometimes I like doing stuff for other people as well.

It's a good article but one targetted to people who like to work for themselves. Sometimes people don't realise their work options straight away, though. My first encounter with Steve Pavlina.com are with his two work-related podcasts. Before, I used to think that, in order to work, that you need to work for somebody. Steve changed my way of thinking and, in a way, it set me free. Even though I am still not successfully making a decent income for myself, Steve has made a positive impact on my life.

Revanto

[mlc82]

Originally Posted by Revanto

The thing about work is that there are two kinds of people: some that are happy to work by themselves and some that are happy to work for other people.

I'm a person that likes to work for himself but sometimes I like doing stuff for other people as well.

It's a good article but one targetted to people who like to work for themselves. Sometimes people don't realise their work options straight away, though. My first encounter with Steve Pavlina.com are with his two work-related podcasts. Before, I used to think that, in order to work, that you need to work for somebody. Steve changed my way of thinking and, in a way, it set me free. Even though I am still not successfully making a decent income for myself, Steve has made a positive impact on my life.

Revanto

Same here, I'm working at making it all on my own now- Steve's "How to make Money without a Job" podcast was the first I ever heard of him. Steve Pavlina has possibly been THE most influential person to date in my life overall, and I've only been aware of him existing for about a year

[qed]

Originally Posted by mlc82

Steve Pavlina has possibly been THE most influential person to date in my life overall, and I've only been aware of him existing for about a year

You don't want to turn into a lemming though!

Going out on your very own works for very specific cases. The requirements are:
1) Information product (i.e. easily digitizable)
2) Create once, sell infinitely many times (no service; product must be digital)
2) Very little to no customer support
3) No inventory
4) Fast, easy and cheap distribution (the internet)
5) Low startup costs

The following businesses fit nicely with this model:
1) Software
2) Writing (books, blogs, e-books)
3) Music

However, note that working in the digital medium is not enough. For example, web development or any other "custom job" type of businesses aren't ideal because you can't create them once and sell infinitely. For each, you start from scratch (unless you can sell the templates maybe)

And even software isn't ideal because:
1) It is rather complex to create (especially on your own) and hard to manage this complexity
2) Customer support takes a significant amount of time

Even if you don't have all the requirements, you can probably still do very well for yourself. You just have to factor in what "value" is for customers (ie what people want/need), who is already out there serving this value, how are they doing it, for what price, how effectively, etc..

Originally Posted by Revanto

The thing about work is that there are two kinds of people: some that are happy to work by themselves and some that are happy to work for other people.

And herein lies your issue. You need to change this perspective.

It is not a choice between working for yourself vs working for others... It is between working alone and working with others! You always have to work with others... In the most simple case, you have to work with customers if you want to earn money.

If you ever do go out on your own though, sooner or later you'll realize that a single person can do only so much within the time available to him (even with polyphasic sleep) and see that joining forces with others is a better alternative (as long as you get along and your goals are aligned).

As I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread, Steve is looking to expand his business too (because a single person can do only so much) and he will be working with others. I guess his staff won't have read his articles because I am sure they will be salaried and they will be exchanging their time for money.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I did the sink-into-debt-pursuing-your-passion-and-go-bankrupt thing

How did it feel when you went through that period?

When I graduated from college seven years ago with my bachelor, instead of choosing one of the several job offers I had, I moved to a different state and went for what I truly wanted to do in life. However, I failed at it - and I started into a decline where I ended up homeless for a little while, working jobs I hated in retail for years under big financial debt just to stay alive, feeling miserable and depressed for several years and even sucidal for a while. For years, I was left a shadow of my former self in all manners of measuring it. I highly doubt anyone would find me interesting in this circumstance, in fact, I lost my friends and didn't gain any for years.

So, when you say that people would find someone in #2 more interesting, I guess that comes with the caveat that the mental attitude of that person is hugely important. If someone with little emotional understanding and emotional fortitude takes the route of #2, and then ends up in dispair over it for years like I did, then it's worst for everyone, especially that person.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by seeker5

How did it feel when you went through that period?

It was exciting for one. But the best part is that it was a clarification process. The benefit of experiencing what you don't want for an extended period of time is that you become increasingly clear about exactly what it is you do what. That's extremely valuable. Most people never figure out what they really want.

I also learned to experience gratitude during those times. Even when I was deep in debt and not earning enough to pay the bills, I'd walk to the beach, look at the crashing waves, and say, "At least this is free." I learned to stay centered even when things weren't going well. I learned to be grateful that I have the opportunity to make mistakes, and I recognized that the freedom to fail is one of life's most precious gifts... because that's where growth is found.

Failure teaches us so many valuable lessons. It's really not something we need to be afraid of, since the value of those lessons more than compensates for any loss in financial or social position.

[Rose of Cairo]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

The greatest risk is that of dying while still alive.

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

It's far better to lose all your stuff, go bankrupt, and bust a few marriages than to lose the inner connection to who you really are.

Steve, sometimes I really love you

Thank you for this kick in the ass, I needed it.