There seems to be a new movement on the internet that focuses in on the nine to five being evil and something to shy away from, and entrepreneurship is being held on a pedestal.
In decades past, our parents were happy to work 9-5 jobs. In fact, they would hold on to one 9-5 for their entire careers. It was common to see somebody graduate from high school, get a job with a local company, and stay there until retirement. When they retired, they’d have a cushy company pension and would be making the maximum amount in their salary range.
Whether or not they were content or just stagnant is up for debate, but the nine to five was a societal norm; part of the North American dream, along with white picket fences and 2.5 children. Entrepreneurship had no place in the North American dream.
Times are changing, and entrepreneurship is now the American dream. Society has shifted views, and while the 2.5 children and white picket fence is still an ideal, the parents of those 2.5 children dream of working at home in their pajamas.
There is still something to be said for the nine to five, though.
Nine to Fivers Can Leave Work at Work
I hold down a day job, in an office. I am also a side entrepreneur.
If I start a project on my own, I have a hard time letting it go. I live and breath the project. This is true even for this blog; when I decided to start getting serious about developing it, I could never mentally shut my brain off. I come home and work on the blog, or blog related activities, until something pulls me away.
There is something to be said for being able to log off your office computer, ride the elevator downstairs, and forget about the papers that are piled up on your desk until Monday when you have to face them again.
A common complaint of entrepreneurs is the sheer volume of work that they do. When you are in it for yourself, you are much more consumed by the work.
Vacation Time
Desk jockeys have one huge advantage over people who work for themselves: they get paid vacation time. Even on vacation, entrepreneurs will often work (I know I do). Having stress free vacation time when you don’t have to worry about any work at all is a benefit that not many people who work for themselves can enjoy.
My dad has owned his own company for my whole life, and we were never able to take a true vacation. Even when we’d go away, he would always have to answer his phone when it rang because it could be a potential client. He couldn’t just log off his email, because what if somebody needed to contact him?
Working With People
Working with people is, frankly, impossible to avoid, even if you work for yourself.
However, working with co-workers and being part of a team is another benefit of the company workers.Building relationships with a set of humans that you likely would never have gotten to know had it not been for your workplace is powerful.
Working in a company can (if you work for the right company) foster a sense of community and a feeling that you are part of something.
Stability (of course)
Nothing is ever guaranteed, and any one of us could lose our jobs tomorrow. It is great to have the stability of a regular job, however. Every two weeks, the paycheck is deposited in the account, CPP already deducted off of the total; the Employment Insurance as a backup that we’re so lucky to have in North America.
This isn’t a reality for many people starting their own companies, at least at first. After awhile, when it has grown and had a chance to be built up, there may be more stability.
Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and not everyone who wants to venture out on their own is going to be successful at it. It takes a certain amount of grit, determination, and the ability to form habits that propel you in the right direction to become a successful entrepreneur. It’s rewarding as heck if you can swing it.
I’m a terrible example, because I do both. I have side businesses and I freelance, but I am also a desk jockey during the day.
If you are miserable in your nine to five and desperate to get out? Make a change. Start a side business. Start building it up before you give your notice.
Are you burning to start working for yourself? Or are you content with your employment?
I totally agree with you! I don’t think working for myself is very compatible with my personality, and I like doing science a lot of days. I think I’d rather have a main work-for-someone-else job and freelance/have side projects as I have interest.
Exactly how I feel. My projects are very important to me, and right now they don’t feel like work – they definitely would if they were my main source of income!
I agree with you too! I have no interest whatsoever in becoming self-employed!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I felt like I was for awhile 🙂
Very good points, Daisy.
The best part about working on a team, is that others can cover for me when I go on PTO, or even on nights and weekends.
When you are on your own.. Its up to you.
So true. Plus just the feeling of being on a team is great.
I’m the total opposite… I hate working for “the man/woman”. I tried it once and it was absolutely the worst 2.5 years of my life. It nearly killed me.
The freedom I enjoy from the 44 hours a week (plus commuting time) is something that I cherish… Perhaps I’m in a unique situation thanks to years of personal austerity and forced minimalism.
Sure, some weeks (or months) are rough when there is no work but I have quite a cushion thanks to my investments (and the monthly yield they pump out) and I do suffer from the occasional freak-out when it’s been 3 months without anything.
Also my type of work is very different. There isn’t any great length of time for me to fall in love with any one project. I prep, I do the work, I come home, it’s done and the cheque is in the mail.
I don’t think I could ever handle surrendering that many hours of my life to anybody ever again.
Do you mind if I ask what you do? Sounds interesting.
I can relate to a lot of this stuff Daisy. I would still prefer to be my own boss though. It’s not that I hate my daytime job work, but I find it extremely satisfying to be able to provide for yourself without needing an actual job.
I can definitely see why. I think you’re providing for yourself if you have a job, too, because you are still sacrificing time! But i can see why people want to work for themselves.
I think this is a great way to look at work. I’m very happy in my current job because it’s taught me so much and every day has been a new adventure. Sure, it gets boring sometimes, but I like what I do the majority of the time and I know that makes me lucky. I’ve had plenty of jobs I’ve hated! I don’t necessarily want to be self-employed, but I definitely want to be a business owner. I have two very small (and I mean really small) businesses at the moment and I like the responsibility. I think it would be a privilege to have employees and one that I wouldn’t take lightly. To be responsible for someone else’s paycheck, to know that you provide work for someone else so they can take care of themselves and their family is pretty cool. But for the same reasons you listed above, I like having a “normal” job.
That’s awesome! I saw my dad go through so much stress with owning a business so my view is jaded. I know it works sometimes. I think it’s so cool that you have businesses!
I know exactly what you mean! I love that my job is stable and that after 5pm, I can leave it.
I think that’s my main reason for liking working for somebody else; being able to leave work at work.
Sometimes being a student feels like being self-employed, because it’s really difficult to set boundaries between school work and everything else. I can’t wait to get into a 9-5 job… I would *love* to be able to leave work at work!
Haha, yeah, I’m a student too. I know how you feel. I work AND go to school, so it’s a little overwhelming!
I feel like ultimately I’d want to work for myself, but at the same time not go full blown out work for myself. It would have to be something not too stressful, but even if it wasn’t stressful I’d probably make it that way.
I prefer to work for a company too. Stability, and hate to say it but these issues are not my personal problem so I don’t have liability over others’ mistakes. I don’t want to be responsible for things I can’t control.
SO TRUE. That’s a great point. I hadn’t thought of it that way and it just adds to my list of reasons, haha.
Heck no, you’re not an outlier! I have no interest in working for myself. Peanut tried it and didn’t like it, even though he made a lot of money. I think the entrepreneurs are the loud bunch, but that doesn’t make them right. 😆
Very true! It’s interesting because usually the stories are that the person goes and works for themselves and never turns back. It’s nice to hear a little of the other side, too!
Great post, especially since I’ve been reading so many other blog posts about the upside of working for yourself at home, so it’s nice to read about the flip side, the upside of not working for yourself. I agree, maybe one day I’ll be able to freelance but at this stage in my life, I really do like the security of knowing how much I’m gonna get paid next week.
I think I can do both – freelance and work – but yeah, security is key!
Nice list – think you covered all the bases.
I’ll admit every so often I get a bit swept away in the dream – so many bloggers already live it.
But I just do not have any of the traits that go with entrepreneurship and it’s not a lifestyle I want.
Nor do I aspire to management (http://eemusings.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/five-reasons-why-i-have-no-management-aspirations/)
Ohhh management. I don’t know if I aspire for management yet because I haven’t even officially entered my field, but god.. that would be a lot of responsibility!
I’ve gone back and forth on this one. There have been times I’ve wanted nothing else than to work for myself, and other times I enjoy the perks of a steady paycheck and little stress about where the money will come from month to month.
As long as you don’t hate your day job, and have another outlet for creativity (if it’s not built into your job already), working for The Man is not so bad.
I think that my outlet is my blog. I spend quite a bit of time on it and I think blogging is a great outlet. I’m sure I’d pick up other projects if I didn’t have the blog, but you’re right, there needs to be an outlet.
I am the boss applesauce! Well, I’m the boss OF applesauce, rather. Working for myself terrifies me! I don’t even work for myself when I stay home with my 8-month-old. She’s my boss…and she’s a tyrant! No vacations, no breaks, no PTO…sigh.
Hahahah! Oh, children. Ever entertaining.
I’m with you on this. One more thing to add: working for a rather large company, I get to work on project that I could never EVER do on my own. Really never. And I love that!
There are trade-offs, but the “career” lifestyle is a really good fit for me. freelancing/self-employed… not for me. Maybe some day I’ll change my mind, but I doubt it.
So true! Projects help me learn a lot too, which is super important to me. There are certainly trade-offs, though. Maybe when I’m older and closer to retirement I’ll also change my mind.
I think if I could support myself from just writing (fiction hopefully) I would totally would go for it. However, I do like vacations and I do like working with people. I also enjoy dressing up, wearing heels and makeup. I don’t think I can do it by working from home. Great post!
That would be a lot of fun – writing fiction – I LOVE dressing up for work. Suits, heals, jewelry – when I’m at home all day, I’m a slob!
I agree! I am a Type A creature of habit. I NEED my routine and I like having a 9-5 for all the reasons you listed above too. Plus, benefits (I know you can get them while you’re self-employed, but it’s harder), and almost the exact same amount deposited into my chequing account every two weeks.
I’m really afraid of taking on a huge debtload for something that may or may not pan out. Sometimes I bring my work home, but you’re right, if you’re dependent on your business so you can eat, there’s a ton more pressure to succeed.
My boyfriend is self employed and has a hard time with benefits. Luckily, he is just a contract worker so has steady work but if he ever didn’t have work he wouldn’t have employment insurance to rely on!
🙂 I think I might be too controlling to always work for someone else. Right now, I have a lot to learn, and I love working with people who I’m learning from, but I worry that I’m too bossy to do it forever. Half the time, I’m like: “I think you should do it this way.” I don’t know how long you can have that attitude before striking out.
Ha! I love that. THere are some personalities that are just better for self employment!
I’m actually with you on all these points! I love my career, it makes me happy. And luckily, it is reasonably stable, and if something bad were to happen at my current job, it wouldn’t be too hard to find another one.
As for working for myself – I’m terrible at self promotion! Finding clients would make me crazy.
And my debt? I’m working on it… but at my pace. I can live with it, because I’m not ready to sacrifice everything just to get rid of it.
Oh, yeah. Self promotion. That’s a problem too.. especially face-to-face. I can self promote on my blog like a pro (btw, are you following me on Twitter? Subscribed to my feed? Ha!) but not in person.
I work a 9-5 right now and I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it. I don’t mind working a 9-5 and maybe eventually I will find a job that I love. But right now I think I would like to work for myself in the future.
I think it’s hard to not dream about it if you dont’ love your job. I really do love my job, but I still even dream about self employment! It’s right for some people 🙂
I’m with you with the caveat that I’m exploring the idea of something of my own on the side. I don’t love my job, but I’m getting to a place where I can take it because the benefits (financial, mental etc) definitely outweigh the drawbacks.
I would definitely do something for myself on the side – I sort of do with this blog. I guess my main qualm is relying on it for my whole livelihood.
I also like being able to leave work at work and get out of there after 5pm (when possible). I would love to have more flexibility regarding time off and being able to spend more time with my family if and when I have kids. Seeing my co-workers juggling being a mom and a professional is kinda scary.
I feel ya! I have coworkers that are dying for more flexibility, so much so that they’re willing to go part time. I think I’ll think differently when I have children.
I am with you too. I am a creature of habit, so the weekday routine doesn’t bother me a bit. I love that my evenings and weekends are my own and that a steady paycheque comes my way. I’ll admit, sometimes i think it would be great to work at home at my own pace, but I couldn’t ever imagine quitting and being my own boss.
It would be, wouldn’t it? I agree there. But then I think that I’ll just have to try hard to find a flexible, relaxed job! Haha (yeah right)
I agree with you – I’m a 9-5 job person. I just don’t think the entrepreneurial world is for me. I have huge respect for anyone able to do it but I like the habit of work, the people I deal with, the ever changing environment, etc. It’s not for everyone but it’s definitely for me. 😛
I’m with you on that one – I think those people who can handle it are brave! But I love the habit of work as well.
I always respected the heck out of people who ran their own companies but I never had that burning desire to do so.