Conventional thinking tells us that if we have to choose between freelancing and working for a company, the latter is always the better choice. It’s less risky, it offers stability, and it’s the most responsible thing to do. It means we are adults. But while working for ourselves may not work for everyone, and while there are clear benefits to working for a company, are there no other sides to this story?
Image Pexels, Kampus Production
We dream about it on the weekend. About how we stand in our campervan-turned-café, chatting with customers, ready to travel to other countries. We like the idea of freedom, adventure, and control over our hours that comes with working for ourselves and freelancing. But then the week starts and ‘we go back to reality.’ Which means working for someone else. Which means security, stability. Because we are simply too old, too inexperienced, too young, too poor or ‘too much woman’ to make something like our dream a success. It’s simply too risky. And in the end, working for someone else is just less likely to give us sleepless nights. Because ”they” can give us security.
Too little too late?
We might have heard those famous success stories about those who have persevered on their own, against all odds. There was Colonel Sanders, who was 62 years old when he founded the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Then there was the young Steve Jobs who created his Apple in the garage of his parental home. Or how about the ‘under-educated’ Dave Thomas of fast-food empire Wendy’s, Dell Computers’ Michael Dells, and of course Richard Branson. But that was different, we say. They were lucky. We just don’t have the quality they had, we don’t have what it takes. We are too old, too inexperienced. We wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Job for life versus freelancing
When it comes to working for ourselves or someone else: Which option is better for every individual? There is no one definitive answer to that. But there are people who approach things a little differently. They might say that in some cases, working for ourselves or freelancing works out well. That in some cases, it might even be a more reliable option. For example, by learning to rely on ourselves rather than one someone else.
They might point out that things are changing, such as ‘a job for life.’ But also how such changes present opportunity. Or, they might write about careers having become “some kind of fast-changing dramas.” Or how, following the trend for big corporates, the signs are that the more traditional smaller family stores are making a comeback. They might even remind us that freelancing was nothing but common in previous centuries.
Being entrepreneurial
All in all, experts such as them are here to remind us of other perspectives. For example, how learning to have an entrepreneurial approach, instead of being dependent on one employer for the foreseeable future, can make us more self-reliant. That being used to freelancing and going at it alone, and getting used to budgetting for good and bad months, could provide more security. Especially compared to putting all your eggs in the basket, and having no experience of what to do when things change.
For most of us, especially the longer we work in the same job, the thought of losing our job is a terrifying one. It can even feel life-threatening. We have no experience with flying solo, and will not know what to do should that security blanket be taken from us. Others say there would even be enormous benefits to teaching entrepreneurship in schools. Because the ability to persevere, work independently, and seek out creative solutions can be valuable to all careers.
“The ability to persevere, work independently, and seek out creative solutions can be valuable to all careers.”
Opportunities
Meanwhile, some companies are downsizing and they are laying off staff. Meanwhile, there are more and more internet and technology opportunities available to learn about starting a business and selling products and services. Meanwhile there are more opportunities for people starting our own business or offering freelance services? Could these changes be paving the way for fresh perspectives alongside our old ones?
Freelancing, the benefits
There are plenty of benefits to be found online regarding freelancing or starting our own business. They provide us with the opportunity to escape the rat race and the freedom to work from anywhere. They can help us give back to the community, or do something fulfilling. We have more time for life. Especially when the commute can be taken out of the picture. Others point out that in a climate where no job can offer 100% security, we can at least try to create our own job security.
Only for the lucky ones
No one doubts that working for ourselves can be risky in some cases. That starting our own business is not for everyone. But how true is it that working for ourselves is automatically less reliable than working for someone else? Or that starting a business is only ‘for the lucky ones?’ These are the more common perspectives. Perhaps we can use changes around us in the world to rethink them, and see if they (still) suit us.
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