The Hidden Truth Behind "JOB": Think About It

Job - in a simple definition, a paid position of regular employment.

This is the basic source of income for most people. And I want you to think a lot of things about your job (if you have one right now).

There are few questions I want you to ask yourselves and answer them, and after which I will answer them with my opinion.

·        Do you see your income from your job permanent?

·        If you are employed, it means you are working for someone. Who are you making wealthy, you or your employer?
·        Is your effort proportional with your income?

·        Have you ever seen, or even imagined your income curve? A graph of your income versus time?

·      And lastly, with regular working hours or even irregular, are you able to spend a lot of quality time with your family?

I have nothing against jobs. I am currently employed. But as early as my first job, I have realized a lot of things.

Your income from your job is temporary. Why?

There are only two things that could happen to you. It’s either; you will no longer like your job or the company will no longer like you.

If your boss right now is indeed, uhmm bossy, or you are dissatisfied with your salary, or you don’t understand the company’s system, or the top management doesn’t seem to be united then probably you would end up resigning and go looking for another job.

On the other hand, if the company sees you as a liability like they are paying you more than what you are contributing to them, then they will find a way to disappoint you, replace you, make you resign, make you suffer, torture you (I’m exaggerating, but maybe some can relate) and many more. Of course, the company will always find someone better than you, younger or cheaper.

I believe you wouldn’t want to work for the rest of your lives also, you have to retire. So in any situation, basically, you will be out of your job and so is your income.

There are stable companies, but not a stable job. 

Who is wealthier: you or your boss?

I bet you know.

I remember a funny story. A hotel manager was so proud of himself because his employer has given him an exclusive room in the hotel, complete with all the things he needed. One busy day, he met his friend, a businessman who happened to check in one of the rooms of the hotel.

“Where’s your boss?” his friend asked.

“He’s on a vacation” he replied.

“Wooo, so he’s enjoying while you are working the business he is meant to be doing.”

He was a bit stunned.

“Your boss is probably outside country now, drinking coffee perhaps and you are busy here with work.”

“I don’t mind. I am well compensated. He gave me a room in this hotel.” he defended.

His friend smiled and said, “He has given you that room because he wants you to be here 24 hours a day, and any time there would be a problem, you are available to take care of it. Trust me, I’m know how he thinks. I’m a businessman.”

The hotel manager was speechless.

The once proud manager now keeps on murmuring every time he bumps with his friend saying “Kapoya aning trabaho-a uy!” (What a tiring work!)

My point is that most of the time, we overlook the results of our efforts. Are we really getting the full benefit of the work we are doing or are we making somebody else's life way better than ours? Here’s an amazing write up by my co-author, help me welcome bottled pixie with her Why You Should Be Your Own Boss.

Though truly we are compensated. Some have good salary with benefits, some don't. But the question, are you paid what you are worth for?

*stop for a while and reflect*

If not, do something that will benefit you the most with your efforts. Get out of your comfort zone and explore different opportunities.

It's the same concept with your income. Having a work from a job means you have a constant income. Say, you receive it every 15th and 30th day of the month. You work so hard and you receive that kind of pay.

Question, what if in a super bloody, hair-raising, head-aching, eye-popping, arm-numbing, feet-tiring day, how much income do you receive in the 15th day? That much. What if you decide to slack off, delay things, procrastinate, do nothing in the office, hide under the table and sleep, or stay inside the storage half the day, how much income will you receive in the 30th day of the month? If you are lucky and not get caught, then you will receive the same income.

Your income therefore is not proportional to your efforts.

It’s always good to see a bigger picture.

Say, you work 10 years. You have a monthly income and every year, you receive 20% increase. Every December, you receive your 13^th month bonus which is the same as your monthly income ergo you receive more or less twice.

However, let’s say for example you go into business. In the first year you put up a capital and that becomes negative in your cash flow, you begin to break-even in the 2^nd year and in the 3^rd year your income with your job equals your income in your business. Then since it is business, you can control how big your income can be, though fluctuating, it ideally goes up.

Lastly, what if you go into investing; save 10% of your income and then put it in an investment earning 8% per year. For 10 years, you work, you do business and also let money work then it will look like this.

A Graph of Income versus Time

You see, there is a lot of difference! It’s just that being in business is going out our comfort zones. You put capital, you earn negative cash flow, and some can’t wait to break even. But the potential is very big, you work, you earn. You work more, you earn more.

Investing on the other hand, scares people. Some don’t know how. Financial Education is the key but a lot thinks it’s a waste of time. After schooling they can’t wait for a job and doesn’t want to educate themselves how to handle money. They overlook assessing their Financial Status, and when it comes to investing long-term, a lot of people are impatient and can’t wait for their savings to accumulate.

And lastly, the most important thing I have realized with my job: I do not own my time. 

Regular hours of 8am to 5pm. You wake up 5am, you travel 1 hour. You go home after work, you arrive home 7pm. You work Mondays to Saturdays, Sundays you do laundry. You rest very little. You spend less time with your family and the cycle goes on and on. 

I don't want that kind of life. I want to have a lot of quality time for my family. How about you? How many people do you know, have great job, high paying-positions, but doesn't have a lot of quality time with his family? How about those working outside the country? Big income but at the expense of you not being with your family. 

Again, I am not against jobs. Having a job is a blessing. What I want to say is that while having your full time job, slowly build your long-term source of income. Explore, get out your comfort zones, do business, invest, educate yourself financially, make multiple income streams, learn passive income, and achieve your dreams. 

Remember. We have three 8 hours a day (that's 8 x 3 = 24hours a day). First 8 hours, you rest, you sleep. The second 8 hours, if you are employed, you work, you are making someone else rich. The last 8 hours, spare time. Well, let's subtract the break time, traffic, meal time, etc. so basically, we have 3 to 4 hours spare time. Make it productive.

So now you know the hidden truth behind the word "JOB"? It simply means, "Journey of the Broke" Think about it.