Betting On Yourself Is The Only Safe Bet
How To Create Stability In A World Of Corporate Uncertainty
Remember when having a "stable job" actually meant something? Yeah, those days are pretty much over.
This might be the best time to start a business, to start your own thing. I think the days of just being an employee are coming to an end, especially in these white-collar jobs, the office work jobs. Speaking from my perspective as a software developer, there was a time when being an employee had more advantages in terms of stability versus starting your own thing or contracting or freelancing. The benefits, vacation time, pensions or investments like IRAs or 401Ks—all these different things seemed appealing.
But when you look at the way things are now and how the economy has been so up and down, it's kind of flipped on its head. The employment side no longer seems like the stable choice. It feels more like a trap. You get lured in by the promise of steady pay and benefits and retirement and vacations. But what happens when there's a downturn or a client leaves? Suddenly, you find yourself laid off with nothing but a "thanks for your service" email and maybe a few weeks of severance if you're lucky.
That Moment We Say "F*ck This"
Let's be real—most of us have had that moment. You're sitting at your desk, staring at an email about budget cuts or watching colleagues get walked out, and something just clicks. That's the moment you realize job security is an illusion, and it always has been.
So you need ways to offset that instability. Building a side hustle, doing stuff on your own, trying to have multiple streams of income—these are essential now. Especially as a developer, that skill set alone can help. It's about picking up some business acumen and marketing skills and putting yourself out there. But it's kind of what we have to do nowadays.
Multiple Income Streams Aren't Optional Anymore
I think having multiple jobs is going to be the standard. Look at my current situation: I've had my hours cut back, so I'm offsetting that with more freelance and contract work. Now I have multiple things going on—that's the norm. There's no insulation, no stability anymore.
For developers specifically, this might look like:
Building a SaaS product on the side
Taking on contract work through platforms like Upwork
Creating and selling templates or code snippets
Teaching or mentoring junior devs
Building an audience with technical content
Counting on myself and betting on myself to find opportunities feels more stable than relying on someone else to handle everything because if they make one bad decision, I pay the price. At least if I'm in control, I can manage those decisions. If I make a bad decision, then it's on me.
Everything is Temporary
These are the things we have to consider now, especially for someone new entering the workforce. Jobs should be seen as interim places—everything is temporary whether you stay for six months, a year, or two years. At some point, that opportunity hits a point of diminishing returns. You need to get to a point where you understand that you need to keep pushing forward.
There's the whole job-hopping aspect, which many avoid because they feel guilty or don't want to upset people. But companies will always do what's in their best interest—that's just business nature. You have to do what's best for you because your career is yours, not your boss's or anyone else's who signs your paycheck.
I've had countless jobs in my lifetime—some I left on my own terms, others not so much. It is what it is; it's up to us to take control of our situations.
We all have to make decisions based on what's best for our circumstances and family situations.
Reading the Warning Signs
As you work and observe, you'll start seeing signs even in places that start off good—there's always a point of diminishing returns no matter how great it seems initially. Once you recognize that point, that's when you need to consider getting out.
What should you look for?
Budget cuts disguised as "optimization" or "efficiency"
Management changing with no clear reason given
Meetings about "restructuring" that feel weirdly tense
Hiring freezes that stretch longer than initially announced
Clients leaving or projects being postponed
Sudden focus on detailed time tracking
You see little things like budget cuts, talks of people moving or management changes, layoffs happening now or in the future—a client leaving can be a significant hint too. You must use these signs as indicators and always be ready with one foot out the door.
The Importance of Patience (Even While Hustling)
Building something on the side while working a full-time job isn't easy. It takes time, and in a world obsessed with instant results, that's a hard pill to swallow. But remember, the most worthwhile things take time.
This is why building other things on the side is crucial—whether it's writing, coding, creating trinkets—find something you're passionate about and keep an eye out for opportunities because that's just how the world works.
Breaking down your side projects into smaller, manageable milestones helps you track progress when the big goal seems far away. Each small win keeps you motivated even when growth feels slow.
Taking Control of Your Future
It's a tough world and we have to be tougher. It's going to get harder and trickier. We need to keep our heads held high but also strive for what we want.
If we have to play cold, then so be it—we can't afford to burn bridges but we must do what we have to do.
Sometimes you've got to be cold-hearted about it all. Not because you want to be, but because the system has shown time and again that it'll be cold-hearted about you.
The employment trap is real, but you don't have to be caught in it. Start building your escape plan today—your future self will thank you for it. Because at the end of the day, the only stability you can truly count on is the stability you create for yourself.
Quote of the Day:
"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens." - Epictetus
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