People have lately been asking me, “What’s it like going from being self-employed to now working for someone?” They’re really trying to figure out why I would give up the liberty to work all day in my pajamas and hang out at Starbucks all day.
So far I really love my job. I’m not sure I was ever one of those people that had a problem with authority or working with a team. Even if I was, though, I think my new working environment would be great. So those things aren’t big issues for me. There is the element of pressure, though.
As a self-employed guy, I was completely depending on my ability to drum up clients and advertisers. If I didn’t do my best one month, that meant I made less money. If one of my bigger advertisers decided not to renew, that might mean hundreds our thousands of dollars I don’t make. That was a ton of pressure. I hated that. And that pressure has really been relieved. I get two paychecks each month, and I know what that dollar amount will be.
But while the financial pressure has been eased, I’ve actually noticed more pressure elsewhere. As a self-employed nobody, I only had to be successful for myself. If I failed or didn’t deliver, I was the only person that affected. But now I work with a team. I no longer just have to worry about making myself look good. I have to do my best to make the whole team look good. It’s a fascinating shift.
So here’s what I’ve learned – you will always face pressure in life. Whether you’re punching your time clock in a job you hate, being self employed, or in your dream job, you will face pressure. There’s no escaping that.
But we each thrive best under different types of pressure. For me, this move has brought the right kind of pressure. And embracing that pressure will bring out the best in me.
Let me ask you: is the pressure you’re under bringing out the best in you? Maybe you need to make a change. Or maybe you need to embrace the pressure you’re under and let it fuel you forward.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been a creative freelancer for the past year or so and while the freedom is awesome, the pressure of instable income just isn’t worth it in my opinion. That’s especially so when you have the opportunity to work for an awesome company doing what you love to do anyway. I’m starting a full-time job next month at a company I’m truly excited to work for and couldn’t be happier! Best of luck, dude.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been a creative freelancer for the past year or so and while the freedom is awesome, the pressure of instable income just isn’t worth it in my opinion. That’s especially so when you have the opportunity to work for an awesome company doing what you love to do anyway. I’m starting a full-time job next month at a company I’m truly excited to work for and couldn’t be happier! Best of luck, dude.
Excellent perspective, Jonathan.
Excellent perspective, Jonathan.
I’ve been solo for over 12 years now so I couldn’t conceive being employed. But the pressure issue makes a lot of sense…
However, I think you can put things in place to make it more stable even as a freelancer.
I’ve been solo for over 12 years now so I couldn’t conceive being employed. But the pressure issue makes a lot of sense…
However, I think you can put things in place to make it more stable even as a freelancer.