By the end of 2008, the unemployment rate in the United States rose to over seven percent, with almost two million jobs lost in the last four months of the year alone. The way the economy is going there seems little hope for those numbers to immediately reverse themselves in 2009, with most economists forecasting it will take until 2011 for things to fully recover.
Which is why it is important we address this issue.
For individuals like ourselves looking to strike out on our own authentic life paths and find vocations that provide us with both meaning and success, such a down economic climate may put us off our guard and make us utter those horrible word, “well, maybe next year…”
Individuals who have been laid off, or on the brink of job cuts, may now feel like their Uncommon inclinations are exactly the last thing they want to pursue- what they really want is to keep their current secure job.
Believe me, I understand all of these feelings. I am out here myself, trying to make bills every month, afraid a revenue source may dry up, and once or twice, when the commentators on the new have got me particularly nervous, I have thought about going back, tails between my legs, to work 9-5 for a steady check.
But the truth is this: in this day and age, maybe there is no such thing a steady corporate check anymore. If there is no company loyalty and, even if there were, there is no economic promise of keeping your job, then what’s the sense of working at anything else that what you love?
If you thought living uncommonly was a risk before, it may surprise you to know that in many ways it is less of a risk now. Or, at least it is now on equal risk to doing exactly what you’re doing in your current 9-5. The major benefit is that you will be taking the risk living your life the way you want it to be, not waiting for the chance to live your life.
The same rules about preparing for your Uncommon vocation still apply - the idea isn’t to rashly walk into your manager’s office, give him the finger, and walk out proudly. It is to do your research, lay your foundation, and make a calculated and financially stable move toward authenticity. For the detailed run down of steps, be sure to check out The Life UncommoneBook, or if you have one of those fancy Kindles you can download the book from Amazon here.
Because there will always be a reason not to follow your passions: economic turmoil, big life changes, your company needs you, you have bills coming up, etc. The list will go on and on. It is always scary to do something different, to take a risk. But if you are taking the risk to be yourself and to better yourself, then I will guarantee you 99.9% of the time you will not fail.
Check back Sunday for an expose on the dawn of a new working era – there was first the self made man, then there was the corporate drone…but we are now entering into the era of the Uncommon Vocationalist…
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Nicely said. In particular, you are quite correct about there being no real security in the corporate world. Not now, not any more. A company can hire and fire at will these days.
Might as well do what you love doing. If that means striking out on your own, a down economy is actually a good time to do it. Companies are often looking to shed full-time roles and get consultants to fill in. You can be that fill-in.