Think Beyond Your 9–5 Job
In uncertain times, hold on to your dreams
There were almost 20,000 tech layoffs across the world in April 2024 alone. Major companies have been downsizing across sectors.
Jobs are no longer certain for anyone.
Add to that, the looming threat of AI on many industries, and you have a world reeling under unemployment or stressed-out employees wondering what they need to do or learn next.
So, how does one deal with uncertain times? How does one continue to plan and grow a career despite the growing challenges?
Is it perhaps time to think beyond the 9–5 job?
To grow ourselves in areas other than work. To plan, save, and spend more wisely to prepare for uncertain times.
It may also finally be the time to pursue your passion and join the passion economy. To pursue that one enterprise you’ve always harboured, and give it a real honest shot.
Everyone sitting at their desks, fulfilling their tasks, has at some point felt — “If I had time and money, I would start such and such business.”
Well, if you’re finally getting time to do that, please do. If you’re still at a job, at least start chalking out that plan, because you never know when it will become your last resort.
Jobs will come and go. It is an employer’s market, and they will not think twice before exercising their discretion.
But your life is yours, and your dreams should be in your reins, controlled and steered by you alone.
So here are some approaches that will help you think beyond the 9–5, and slowly build a life you’re satisfied with and not stressed out about.
Ask yourself how much you need
Note, there’s a difference between ‘want’ and ‘need’. How much we need is far less than how much we want.
All we need to live a reasonably good life (I know this is relative, but it can be determined) is the basics, coupled with some savings for emergencies, recreation, and retirement.
If your current income — no matter the source — covers your existing needs, don’t stress about making more. Because when you need the ‘more’, you’ll find a way to make it.
The human mind is resilient — it comes up with all sorts of ingenuities when we least expect it and need it most.
Don’t let go of your dreams
No matter how busy your work schedule is, add a bit of your dream to it every day. This is not just about me-time, it is about consciously working toward something other than your career.
Nurture your other interests and hobbies, as these may just spin off into potential businesses later. So, keep working on them, whatever little time you get in the day.
Inject a bit of your dreams into your daily routine.
Find time for the things you love to do, even if means stealing time from the ‘more important’ things.
Balance your commitments with your aspirations
We all have commitments — work commitments, family commitments, social commitments, and even personal commitments like growing our wealth or becoming fitter.
And then we have dreams…
To learn a new language, master a new skill, revive a childhood talent, visit a new city, or build a new life.
There’s no reason why your aspirations should be put on hold. You can start planning and working on them at this very moment.
Every day that you push your dream aside is another day of your dream life lost.
Many give their entire lives to companies and then wonder how they missed out so much in life. Avoid those regrets.
Get that right work-life balance and focus as much on your personal dreams as on your career.
Start building your future today
Think about your dreams today. Not tomorrow, or closer to retirement, but today. Start accounting for how much you need to make them a reality.
Look at your books or Excel sheets. Determine what investments you need to make. Spend wisely. Save. Invest.
Do everything it takes to build your ‘dream fund’… Perhaps even seek assistance from financial mentors.
Post my traditional 9–5 job, I began to look more closely at my investments. This gave me more confidence to live and work on my terms.
The employment market is a mess right now.
Especially for those in mid-life, pursuing second careers, the current environment is a challenge. Either we’re over-qualified or someone junior will do the same thing with AI at half our salaries.
But should this stop us from trying? Should this stop us from learning and growing? More importantly, should it stop us from dreaming?
Not at all.
Let’s shift the focus.
On not just doing jobs, but on living more fully.
On creating a secure life, not merely by a fixed job or income, but, because we know we have fulfilled our potential, explored our possibilities, and risen above uncertainties.
Life will throw you a curve ball now and then, but don’t let it ruffle your feathers…instead plan for tomorrow today!
The article was first published on Common Sense Living, a digital publication with new-age lifestyle and wealth-building ideas.
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