What Does “Earning A Living” Really Mean?
What comes to mind when you hear someone say, “I’m earning a living?” A job? Their nose to the grindstone? A burden? An obligation? Is that what “earning a living” means to you? Is that what you really want from a job? Maybe it’s time you stopped trying to “earn a living” and admit you deserve better.
Maybe it’s time to diversify your income and cultivate your own garden of money trees.
You know that old saying “you'll never get rich working for someone else”...well, to a large extent it’s true... although not entirely. If you have a high paying job bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, then yes, there’s a good chance you’ll become rich.... but at what cost?
Despite what many people on low incomes may think; most high paying jobs require incredible personal input, commitment and sacrifice...from not only the individual concerned, but also their family.
Take politicians as an example. We love to hate them. Some would say they are under-worked and over-paid, but I’m not so sure about that. Regardless of their politics, I believe that most of them try very hard and work longer than average hours. Most politicians are fully committed to what they do... even if what they are doing... stuffing the country and costing the taxpayer a fortune in the process. You see; regardless of whether a politician’s job is worthwhile - their job is, most probably, a fulltime commitment. Love’em or hate’em, I’m sure most politicians think they work very hard for their taxpayer paid income. But, I digress... the fact is; you don’t have to earn a living! Why? Because you already earned the right to live when you were born.
Let me explain before you call on those guys in white coats believing I’ve finally flipped...Is he saying he wants us all to go on welfare and to be paid by taxpayers (just like those politicians)? ”No! No! That’s not what I’m advocating. After all, earning a living can be extremely satisfying and is more often than not, a good source of steady cash flow. Notice I chose the word “steady” cash flow, instead of “reliable” cash flow. Is any job 100% “reliable” these days...and for how long?
Our elected politicians know all about that. For some people (maybe most), employment is the logical option even if it is a burden or unwanted obligation. Will a job make you rich, or guarantee you income security? Probably not!
To a large extent job security has gone out the window, due mainly to rapid technological advances (big words eh?). The reason; it’s now easier, quicker and less costly than ever before, for a company to automate, restructure or centralize its operations.
Think about this too. Will you (or someone else), be doing the job you are currently doing.. in the exact same way you are doing it now...in 5, 10 or 20 years time? Will your job still exist? Will what you are selling still be in demand in its present form? Or will you..the organization you work for.. the product or services you offer.. have been superseded?
Forgive me, I don’t mean to sound negative or to stress you out. I merely want to get you thinking about potential problems and offer some solutions.
Yes, it’s true! We like to think that life, as we know it, will go on forever. No such luck! A few years ago, who would have thought that some of our biggest companies would have ceased to exist or relocated their entire operations to another city or country? Times are changing, and more than ever we are part of this fast moving global economy we hear so much about.. and there are some important lessons to gain from all this.
Let’s not kid ourselves.. here will always be change. We need to adapt and learn new skills.. because, here’s the crunch.. we can no longer rely on others to look after us or provide ongoing employment.. not even a big multi-national company or the government.
The 'baby boomer' generation is aging - so in 5, 10, 20 years, will there be enough taxpayers to pay at the current level of benefits, pensions etc? That’s debatable. Will your job (or business) still exist in its present form? Possibly not?
The reality is; you have to be hard-nosed about what you are doing with your life. Can you really rely on a job, or the government, to provide you with income security in 5, 10 or 20 years from now? Can you?
© Noel Peebles, Author 'Home Biz Ideas Goldmine'
Here's how you can quickly and easily earn extra money from your home ... without having to QUIT your day job!
Posted in: on Saturday 19 April 2008 at at 10:56
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