Regular Jobs
find the difference
of perception interesting regarding what one individual may consider job
security as opposed to another. I worked for several different companies before
striking out on my own twelve years ago. In my immediate family, the ones who
work for themselves outnumber, or have outnumbered the ones with regular jobs.
On my wife’s side, the regular jobs substantially outweigh the independents. So
when I got that urge to go out on my own, my wife’s eye started to twitch.
My sister has owned and operated her own dance studio in
California for many years, and my dad was a farmer for a significant portion of
his life. My mom taught school for over forty years and my brother has been an
instructor for an Outreach program at the same University for quite awhile. I
remember by dad used to get about two checks a year for harvested crops.
Selling cattle would occasionally provide a modest midyear income. Those
harvest checks were huge, but had to be spread out to cover budgets set for the
entire year.
The payment schedules for many of my projects were similar.
Intervals of up to six months weren’t uncommon. My wife was understandably
nervous with that concept coming from a world were you ‘get paid’ every two
weeks. She was impressed with the first check from the first project. I
cautioned that it would have to last us until the next one, which would come
who knows when.
As another project was started and funds from the first one
would dwindle, the eye would start to twitch again. The next check would come
in and life was good for a while. To me, knowing that my financial well-being
was under my own direct control gave me independence and security you can’t get
from an employer. For my wife, it’s just the opposite. Those checks every two
weeks are the security blanket that keeps the ulcers at bay. I wasn’t fond of
having your financial stability depend on the whims of an employer that could
let you go at the drop of a nickel, or dime. I’ve been that employer. Firing
employees is sometimes necessary, and unpleasant.
Somehow we’ve managed our lives thus far with two completely
different ideologies regarding personal ambition. The twitching eye has become
less prevalent with each passing adventure and I try to make sure the ride isn’t
too rough. Buckling up is always mandatory though. I sincerely give my wife
credit for staying tough. I told her that someday it would all be worth it.
She’s holding me to that and I still have my calloused fingers crossed.
Several years ago while working on some large business
projects, I would occasionally find a lull between equipment ordering, meetings
and installations to go work in the yard. An acquaintance passed by one time
and commented that it must be nice to have a job where you can stay home all
day and do what you want. I just smiled in the knowledge that he hadn’t a clue.
If regular working people knew half of what it really takes to run your own
business, they’d happily commute to work and be thankful their workday will end
in nine hours. But hey, every company out there was started by someone. If you
have the drive and stomach for it, go forth and conquer. Otherwise, shorter
hours, insurance, sponsored pensions, savings plans and getting paid every
couple weeks isn’t all that bad.
- Ranse
Parker
Circle
of Doors
