*Listen via audio recording below
I originally titled this "You can only serve one master" as you'll hear if you listen to the show. But near the end we hit on this title about Dilbert and I like it better. I need more humor in these blogs when I'm hitting on such deep topics.
The topic here is relevant to all, whether Christ follower or not. But Biblically, Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love
the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon."
As an employee you can not fully serve the end recipient. You must serve first and foremost...your employer. That's not being critical...that's part of the deal and contract, period. But we don't pay much attention to this vital reality in our current world of employeedom. Yet we all complain about:
The service we receive from businesses
The stupidity of priorities and powerlessness and ludicrousness of the workplace
CHECK THIS OUT:
- We laugh (painful laughter) at Dilbert cartoons and shows like The Office, because of the truth there is and although they exgaggerate...they don't really. It's stupid. But it's real life.
- We glorify epic stories and movies where the main character is not only above authority, but above the law...in their valiant quest to serve the victim or person in need.
So...are you OK being Dilbert, or do you want to be valiant yourself?!
As a free agent, independent contractor, entrepreneur, self-employed person, business owner...you can serve as you feel called and compelled. You can:
- Give away your product or service or time
- Give a refund
- Charge less
- Charge more!
- Fire a customer or client
- Date or marry a customer or client
- Spend hours or a day talking about personal issues with a client, and not trying to sell
- Ditch work to care for your family or friends or anyone in need
- Ditch work because you just need time off!
- Share your faith anyway or anytime you like
- Whatever you believe is best
calling and balance that we believe we are called to.
As an employee, you can:
Do what your employer requires. And wrap your calling, duties, responsibilities, relationships and calling in the little margins left after work when you are worn out and too busy with the basic necessities of life such as laundry or dishes or homework or whatever. And chances all you have left is plopping down on the couch to either escape or seek inspiration in a made up story instead of living your own.
That's pretty much it and we all know it. Yes, there are exceptions with some great employers, but nobody can debate that what I state is the norm and average. And we as a society complain about being an employee, and the service we get from other employees.
You can only serve one master...the one who pays you. It's either the direct recipient, or the employer.
I don't mean this to exhort only though. The intent is to validate you in not seeing free agency as a luxury...but a responsibility and give you the support and inspiration to go after it!!
For the sake of brevity, you may hear more in the audio below. It's a 30 minute podcast with Justin Lukasavige and we go deeper into this and include a great first option for you to step in to free agency.
If this inspires your spirit or steps on your toes, feel free to let us know in the comments below. You'll probably be speaking for 20 others reading or hearing this who won't comment publicly.
Right-click to download
Free Agent Underground Show - "Don't be Dilbert"
