Should everyone be self-employed? Really?

*This video clip is from the movie "The Matrix." The character Cypher abandons the fight for freedom in Zion. He of course ends up getting killed while the fight for Zion succeeds and a new dawn of full-out freedom is realized.   
- click the picture for the video -

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To take a stance and say that it's everyone's responsibility to be self-employed is so seemingly outrageous it's almost tempting to dismiss. And I've been publicly taken to task with statements such as, "If there weren't basic employees you wouldn't have many of the things you enjoy today, like a cell phone or computer or car."

That is true. Just like the Pharaohs wouldn't enjoy the pyramids if they didn't have slaves.

What does that have to do with anything? The question is...do you want to be one of those slaves?

And if the slaves disappeared and it meant we had to go back to paying $50 for a new, handmade shirt instead of the ones we can get at Walmart, made by 'slaves', for only $5...then so be it. Everything about that reality would be a positive for mankind at large.

That won't happen, we're way too far gone down the factory road in our world today.

Again, the only question left is...do YOU...want to be that 'slave?' Do you believe that is what you were created for? Some were created to be Lords (land owners) and some were created to be peasants (slaves or employees)?

How do I sell that to my 7 kids? Tell them it's not my fault, that's just how the chips fall? One of them at best gets to be self-employed, working at what they are passionate about...the rest...tuck your tail and take a job doing whatever you can do so someone will flip you a nugget of cheese? I just don't believe that theology...and it's my job to make sure they don't either. But I've gotta' equip them. And I am.

YOU...can be equipped to.

There will never be a lack of those who are unaware or unwilling and they'll take those j-o-b-s. Watch the video above for a great analogy of this fact.

But from today forward, there will always be an overabundance of opportunity for "those who have eyes to see and ears to hear" to cut the leash and be the masters of their own lives again...just as they were throughout history...prior to just over a century ago.

So here it is...if you are reading...do you see and hear this?

It is possible....you could be self-employed. It will take hard work, new knowledge and action.

What say you? How about it for you? How about it for your kids? Feel free to share.

Comments

[ANA-CHRISTINA WADLE]

Our kids watch us. They see and feel when we are unhappy and working at a j-o-b that is taking the heart out of us. As a role model, I believe that it's very important to show them that we value ourselves and our gifts and passions by using them in our work - regardless of whether we're working for someone else or working for ourselves.

[Kevin Miller]

Ana-Christina - I surely agree. If you can be free to fully work at your
passion and put relationships ahead of work and integrity ahead of the
dollar and be joy filled and inspiring AS an employee...  Its the end,
not the means. There are just few examples of achieving the ends we talk
about here, via the means of employeedom.

[Jeff]

I agree with everything you say and desperately want to cut the leash but I guess I haven't either worked hard enough (although I don't think that's it) or smart enough. It's to the point that unless I'm able to get a clear picture of what my true calling is, I've got little motivation to get out of this unhappy rut I'm locked in. Of course I've spent countless dollars and time trying to find that right path for me but I seem to jump from one thing to another. I suppose that might mean I haven't found it yet, but I think my spouse is losing, or probably already lost patience with me. That makes it seem like I'm going uphill even more, and adds to my feelings of desperation. Basically it's hard for me to scrape up more money to go off and "find" myself, especially since I've been looking for years now already. What do I do now?

[Jody Berkey]

How would you respond to the people who work in traditional jobs because they enjoy their work and feel they are following God's calling?

[Dr. David Powers]

You are like the Moses of Self-Employment trying to lead us across the Red Sea of indentured servitude!
Great use of a Matrix clip. The whole first movie could be a metaphor for employment.

[Carolyn Payne]

Jody,
For many years I worked in corporate America. I literally worked my way up from an entry level position in a major corporation to middle management. This was all done by the grace of God. I believe that was my calling for that season in my life--looong season--I also believe it was preparation for what I am doing now which is pursuing a cosmetology license with the ultimate goal of owning multiple salons. I am also an Independant Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. I am 50...no, 51 years old and this is always what I wanted to do. This is my passion. I am very thankful and appreciative of all the experiences I had at "corporate" good and bad. I enjoyed working MOST of the time. But my desires changed and now I am pursuing self-employment full-time. I can't really speak to what God's calling is for someone else, but for me, the calling which is to lead and serve others didn't change, but the avenue did.

[Wes]

I am tired of the rat race, and more than ready to be self-employed. I am on a path of self discovery and learning. I just don't want to get stuck on that path. I know what I am passionate about, and enjoy doing but just am not sure how or if it can be applied to a money making, self-employed venture. I agree with the doctrine of self-employment.

[Kevin Miller]

Wes, thanks for being transparent. Of course Im stoked to hear of your
desire. No secret Im a believer in getting outside input on your
journey...so you dont get stuck. Or waylaid by an obstacle. We are not
the only resource on the planet, but if you dont join us...go after
something or someone.

[Kevin Miller]

Carolyn, what a great journey you share. Thank you...this will speak to
many folks. And congrats.

[Kevin Miller]

Jody - I really understand your question, and sympathize with it, on
multiple levels. Just as I do with folks who have kids in daycare and
public school, and who eat fast food cause of lack of time. I dont
doubt I could find work as an employee that I would actually enjoy and
would be in the area of my calling. But my experience...painting with a
broad brush, is that when people are employees, they must ultimately
answer to their employer above answering to the end recipient. And that
interferes with your core responsibility to serve wholeheartedly. This
puts me in a corner too...meaning I cant have employees for my own biz!
So be it.

[Kevin Miller]

David - Moses...pretty much my most read story in the bible. The Red
Sea of indentured servitude. Thats a great line. Yeah, the first
Matrix...one of the more profound movies...ever.

[Kevin Miller]

Jeff - Thanks for sharing intimately here. I really struggle with folks
who think their thing is the only thing. However...Ill bet most of
your seeking thus far has been in a vacuum. Meaning, just you pursuing
clarity on yourself. Thats what gave me and my family the scars that we
teach from today. We just werent created to be independent. Family and
community and counsel is in our DNA for a reason. So what do you do?
Seek counsel. Get feedback. From...folks who will are in the place you
want to aspire to. And regarding spouse...wow. Huge. Hard. And direly
necessary to address. On the FAA website, under categories click on
marriage and watch the first video.

[Jody]

Carolyn,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate that you value all of your life experiences and see the blessing of life along the various paths.

[Bretttraudt.wordpress.com]

Great post Kevin. I couldn't help but think about my adventure pursuing free agency and knowing that in this season of my life.... that I am on the right path. I was at an all day meeting yesterday for my job with other managers in the LA area. As I sat there and learned about the direction our company is headed this year, and while I am there I need to focus on building the business that I have been entrusted, I couldn't help but get excited about my passion for serving others through getting outside rather than staying in. Knowing what I know now, I also couldn't help but notice the passion that other managers had and their desire to remain 'slaves'. One thing that impressed me the most, was that our Divisional Director loves his people and shared that with us. He said that it isn't about managing toward our metrics, but to care and build relationships with our people. He also said to get to know your people, because not everyone is going to be here for life. Find out what they want to do and build that relationship. That is what will help you to become successful. If I had to work for anyone the rest of my life, I would continue to work where I am now because of these statements made by him.... but work these days does seem easier and less stressful having a goal in mind to become self employed.

[Kevin Miller]

Brett - thanks so much for sharing all this. Hey, there are definitely incredible, godly things happening in the workplace. People with integrity and servants hearts. So great to hear of your situation at work. But of course...Im stoked about your free agent pursuit. I know well see parts of you come alive that are currently dormant or numbed or shrieking to be let out!

[Carolyn Payne]

Thank you Kevin,

I found your website in 2006. Your information has been very encouraging, informative, motivating and even comforting at times. I appreciate all that you do.

[Kevin Miller]

Carolyn - thank you so much for this testimonial...it inspires me.

[Rick Wolff]

There are those of us who understand our limitations and our natural aptitudes, not to mention our domestic and economic situations, who would be grateful for a "j-o-b". I've been unemployed for a year and a half (actually since fall, under-employed, with a part-time job), and I'd gladly take a job somewhere. I wouldn't call it slavery either; calling it slavery is polarizing and manipulative to those who don't share your worldview. Sure, there are trade-offs. I'd rather deal with the trade-offs I know than those I don't, on my own. I don't have passions, at least none that rise to the level that I'd try to turn them into businesses. I'd just be crappy at it, and I know it. Is that so bad? To know oneself?

[Kevin Miller]

Rick - not sure why you are even reading here...as were 100% about
self-employment. There are plenty of other places to read about j-o-bs.
Your note here deals with survival, not best. I understand financial
need. Bills DO have to be paid. So if things are tight, get a job, feed
your family and be proud! And then start seeking your passions. You
werent born without them. The reality is that I dont believe you DO
know yourself. I think yourself...is lost. As are so many. Lets find
you.