What if we didn’t need financial independence to fulfill our greatest need?
Most people are looking for freedom.
Actually, digging behind “freedom” what I often find is:
- I don’t want to be dependent on the goodwill of my boss anymore.
- Living on the defensive, afraid at all times of losing my job
Financial independence is a tool that provides a great sense of freedom…
But I have good news for you…
You don’t have to wait until you are financially independent to feel free.
You need to be able to connect what you love to do with the people who need it.
This is your greatest asset.
Kuru and Siya: the art of winning by yourself.
A little over a year ago, we got two adorable little kittens.
They have since grown and become very independent. Siya’s journey illustrates the concept of winning “on your own”.
Initially, his brother had a natural gift for hunting. His area of specialization, mice. Siya always seemed to come back with nothing.
But if we observe their routines. Siya spends hours practicing while playing. Kuru tends to limit his efforts.
After months of intense training, Siya has become a terrific hunter. Her specialty, birds. I wish I could warn them, “get out of here, you’re not safe.”
Siya doesn’t really need us to feed her anymore. Her skill as a hunter allows her to have meals whenever she wants.
She loves and appreciates us immensely (well I think😀) but she is no longer dependent on us.
Imagine having this feeling in your professional life.
The trigger: inside
You are in a job that you like: you give the maximum while being quite detached from the result. You dare to take more risks. It sets you apart and you progress faster. How to get promoted. What have I learned?
You are in a job you no longer like: no need to wait, frustrated, for years before making a decision. You dare to change quickly.
The trigger: the outside
- Economic layoff: your job is eliminated. (current topic)
- Relational dismissal: you no longer get along with your boss.
- Stock market crash: your capital has melted away over a short period of time.
Everything is falling apart, but your “earn by yourself” skill is still there.
But how do you develop the skill of “earning on your own”?
Invest in yourself by learning:
- To develop an expertise
- To sell it
I meet many people who have the first one.
1. A particular expertise.
If you dig a little deeper, everyone has something to help others.
Not you?
I like Mike Kim’s model in his book “You Are the Brand” for recognizing his expertise.
Excerpt from the book
“One day I jotted down a short list of things I did in these roles, which looked something like this:
- I taught high school students.
- I spoke at church.
- I wrote songs.
- I led meetings for music team volunteers.
- I marketed the albums we recorded.
- I hosted conferences for the church.
Then it hit me. All I had to do was cross out the end of each of those sentences:
- I taught
high school students. - I spoke
at church. - I wrote
songs. - I led meetings
for music team volunteers. - I marketed
the albums we recorded. - I hosted conferences
for the church.”
For so much of our lives, we see ourselves through the lens of a company, organization, or role rather than the skills we possess or who we inherently are. We fail to see our unique expertise.
2. On the other hand, people suffer from the second part: To sell it
- I am not a salesman.
- I never knew how to do it.
- I am afraid of being rejected.
And that’s terrible because, without the second one, everything you know has little value to a new client (entrepreneurship) or a new boss. (salaried employee)
Selling goes with a negative connotation. We immediately think of the
- Used car salesman
- To someone who will tell you anything to get their way….
But selling is much more than a technical skill.
It’s communicating, being interested in others, wanting to help, and using your creativity to connect with interesting people.
It’s a natural principle buried in all of us.
Why sales is a great job and a potential career accelerator.
And in your case, you are selling something you know well and believe in…
You 😀
You sell what you have developed, and worked on for years.
Your expertise.
Connecting your “know-how” with people who need it gives you a unique feeling of freedom.
You can start from scratch, anywhere, anytime.
A virtuous circle
Your solid options give you confidence. Know how to connect your expertise to people who need it.
This confidence allows you to dare in your current job (not afraid to lose it). You stand out and often get the fruits of your risk-taking (promotion and financial gains).
And if ever the economic (layoffs), relational (corridor politics), or market (crash) situation deteriorates…
You have your most important asset. Your ability to earn by yourself anywhere, anytime.
Don’t wait until you are financially independent to feel free, develop your ability to “earn by yourself” and feel free at all times.
I appreciate the metaphor but birds are suffering a catastrophic decline. Please put a bell around your cat’s neck to prevent her killing wildlife 🙂
Thank you Lil, I appreciate the suggestion. Have a great day.