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23 “9 to 5” ain’t all bad
Cranking up this blog
involved countless lessons in solopreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is assumed to be a livelihood; blogging is
not. After I get my book-in-progress together, time will
tell whether there is enough participation here to sell enough
books to keep the blog free. It is an inviting
prospect. Readers recognize that one way or another they
must keep me alive.
The lively world of
be-your-own boss offers a reward of quitting your 9 to 5.
Until then, if you can’t afford a $300 investment in business
tools, you are advised to keep your day job a little
longer. The world breaks down into two groups: (a) those
who decide moment to moment what they will do (entrepreneurs) and
(b) those who work for somebody else (employees).
A politician complained
bitterly that Americans need a side hustle to stay
alive. A huge body of people like me are not complaining;
we are eager. For us the side hustle is the exciting start
on the road to entrepreneurship. Some seek to employ
others; some like me want only solopreneurship. In
fairness I should disclose that I have gratefully enjoyed a
variety of traditional full-time jobs. Nevertheless, what I
understand, and where I thrive, is self-employment. It is
“the only way to go.”
All these statements
paint in very broad, categorical brush strokes. That
picture is emotional, not clearly defined. Success requires
more sophisticated goal setting. “I want to earn a million
dollars” is fantasy. “I could never do that” is a
self-limiting belief. Between the extremes lies very
fertile territory, ready for careful examination, ready to yield
surprising results.
I am writing this while the whole world
is self-isolating to stop a virus pandemic. As we are held
back from our normal activities, I am speeding up my new writing
occupation because everything else has shut down. Most of
us are sensing new appreciation for whatever occupations
we have had. This change of pace suggests a concluding
thought that I penned over three years ago, expressing awareness
and sincere gratitude:
I do not have a job; I have a
rare privilege. I spend my day in reverent awe that
industry, commerce and human intelligence have combined to
produce this miracle for expressing my human emotions.
Being For Others Blog copyright © 2020 Kent Busse
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