Unlocking Career Confidence: Demystifying the Fallacy of Security in 9-5 Work

Challenging the Conventional Path to Success at Work

If you're anything like me, growing up, you were taught that, in order to be successful at work and in life, it meant going to school, getting good grades, graduating, and landing a job.

The next phase on the path to success involves working really, really hard to earn your keep as you climb the corporate ladder. This often means putting in extra hours at the office or offering to help cross-functional partners — being a good team member and colleague, earning trust, and respect. All admirable qualities in any aspiring leader. At some point, you might have been told you now need your MBA or an advanced degree to continue climbing the corporate ladder or in order to become successful in your career. For some professions, this might be true.

However, my unconventional belief challenges this narrative: it's all a lie.

Don’t mistake me; I am not suggesting that my parents intentionally lied to me. They taught me what their parents instilled in them — to get an education and to work hard.

They passed down learned behavior. They set expectations and benchmarks for me so that I had goals to reach for. Don’t get me wrong; I have learned so much on the journey following a conventional path and I have so much to be grateful for:

• I am grateful for the circumstance I was born into.

• I am grateful for the education I have received and the opportunities that came with the education.

• Perhaps most of all, I am grateful for the foundation.

Yet, here's the harsh truth — there are no guarantees, even with a solid foundation. Success is not a certainty. I've witnessed colleagues and friends who, like me, followed the conventional path, unexpectedly lose their jobs.

Despite years of dedication, some received severance, and others did not. The common thread? A false sense of security. They assumed that because of their dedication, they would be “taken care of” or rewarded by the companies they worked for by simply showing up and doing the job they were hired to do.

Here’s another unpopular opinion: nothing could be further from the truth.

Corporations promote benefits and perks, luring employees in with promises like unlimited PTO. However, when push comes to shove, job security is a myth.

There are no guarantees in work or life.

My realization came early in my career during two rounds of layoffs at a former employer. Promised that the first round would be the only one, a second occurred just three months later. In six months, our team dwindled from 20 to 5. I was deemed "lucky" to be kept, taking on more work and earning promotions, but with no increase in resources. I “leaned in” and eventually was able to rebuild the team, but the uncertainty I felt lingered due to uncontrollable factors like top-level revenue targets. Deep down, I knew that if push came to shove, I would be on the chopping block this time. Yet, so many of my new colleagues had not been around long enough to ride this wave with me. They had a false sense of security.

This false sense of security stems from cultural norms and societal expectations — education leading to a job, implying success. I challenge you to reconsider.

Working for someone else doesn't guarantee success; only you can ensure your own success.

Sure, a 9-5 job pays the bills and provides a standard of living, healthcare, and benefits. However, it won't guarantee long-term success or financial advancement. It's akin to investing all your stock in one company. I urge you to consider diversifying your work life — start a side hustle, explore online business opportunities related to your hobbies, and delve into commission-based or affiliate marketing programs. This isn't to diminish the importance of hard work in an endeavor; success requires dedication and resources. However, working for yourself can unlock opportunities beyond corporate confines.

If you find yourself questioning the stability of your 9-5 job, take this as your sign to explore the world of digital and affiliate marketing. You may just discover a new path that leads to both financial security and personal fulfillment.

If you're interested in learning more, click the "start here" button below, fill out the form, and I'll send you a free masterclass sponsored by the Freedom Formula. This course, along with a follow-up paid version, opened my eyes to a world beyond corporate life. Whether seeking a side hustle or aiming to replace your 9-5 job, investing time and resources in yourself is a worthwhile endeavor.

What are you waiting for?