Two things govern our careers — the desire to earn money and the fear of being fired.
Solving both of these problems is the first step toward freedom, because it strips away the other side's most powerful weapon in any negotiation.
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The way to control people runs through their dreams and their fears.
This method is expertly exploited by those who want us to act in their personal interest — to vote for them in elections, for instance, or to hand over money through deception.
The dread of sitting at home unemployed, watching our bank balances pile up with bills, is genuinely frightening — and the fact that our potential employers know this makes every negotiation that much harder for us.
Even once we're on the wheel, the desire for a raise and the fear of being let go are ultimately tools used against us: they allow others to extract the maximum from us at minimum cost.
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Solving both of these problems is not easy — otherwise they wouldn't exist — but it is entirely possible.
If we work harder and spend less for a few years, we can save up a cash cushion large enough to cover a full year of zero income.
If we're willing to cut expenses to a minimum and take on work that isn't "prestigious" enough for our taste, we'll no longer need to fear being fired.
These two facts effectively disarm the other side in any negotiation, and the quiet confidence we project will — perhaps surprisingly — allow us to receive far more in return.
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At the end of every tax year I review my cash-flow table for the year just passed. It gives me invaluable insights into how I've improved relative to the previous year, which expenses I can cut, and what steps I need to take to keep improving in the year ahead.
This accounting also reminds me of the early days — when all I had was willpower, endless work, and very little money. But those years taught me that willpower is a formidable tool, and there is no barrier it cannot overcome.
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Independence doesn't belong only to the self-employed; it belongs to anyone willing to do what it takes to see a free person looking back at them in the mirror.
Independence is the ability to thrive in any situation — whether working for a salary or learning new skills and creating opportunities from nothing.
Independence is the understanding that an employer is simply a client to whom we are selling our time.
The new year reminds us to ask ourselves: is it our paycheck and our fear of losing a familiar slot that dictates our steps — or are we completely free to choose the best opportunities for ourselves?
Wishing everyone a happy and successful civil new year 😊 🌹