TGIF everyone, another work week down. I’ve been a busy little bee this week with work and personal projects. Here are some of the things that I’ve been thinking about:
Landmines
Your day job is like a minefield, you never know when you’ll step on a landmine. My prediction: We’re in a recession. This might be a bold, pessimistic opinion, but last July (2023) the unemployment rate was 3.5% and this past July (2024) it was at 4.3% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Of course this doesn’t mean a recession is imminent, or that we are in one, but rising unemployment rates have been shown to be a sign of a downturning economy in the past (This J.P. Morgan article explains it well).
So, your day job is like a minefield because you can be fired at any point (stepping on a landmine). You are an “at will” employee, meaning they can terminate your relationship without cause. Especially in times like these, with unemployment rising and the economy being squeezed, you never know what might happen. That’s why I think everyone should develop the skills to be an entrepreneur, even if it is just a side hustle. It can help provide security and is one of the best personal development opportunities (or so I am told).
Fishbowls
As I said, I think everyone should develop the skills of being an entrepreneur, that’s why I am working on starting my own side business in digital marketing. It has been a research and information intensive process as I try to learn how to run google ads. Trying to process all of the information while working a full time job has left my brain overly full, it feels like someone stuffed my head into a too small fishbowl.
I probably should have started with a business that I had some knowledge in rather than trying to learn a whole new topic, but I didn’t feel like I had any expertise in a marketable area. If you are starting your own business, I wouldn’t start with digital marketing, it’s been a big headache, literally. My rational was that I at least am learning marketing at the same time I am learning sales and how to run a business, so it will all come in handy at some point.
I may be making excuses, but if I was doing building a different business say in landscaping, I would have started by now, reaching out to prospective customers and providing my services. However, because I am learning something new, I am not convinced that I can provide the service to a high enough quality to even approach people and work for free (where they would need to cover the cost of the ads). This is what I have decided on and I am committed to it, at least for the next three months. If the business is not working by then, something is wrong with me firstly, but secondly, that business would not be a good fit for me and I will try something else.
Bicycles
Bicycles are the peak of human transportation. I wish I could ride my bike to work and never have need for a car again. Taking steps to make my life more bike friendly will not only make me happier, it will save me money, and who doesn’t want to be happy and rich?
There are a few different housing projects working on “cities of the future” where cars are not necessary and you can walk or bike to everywhere you need. These are not a traditional city with high-rise apartments and offices however. They are suburban areas with no roads going through them, rather, they have roads on the boarders and nice sidewalks, parks, and shopping areas close to each house in the center. It does sound like an interesting idea, especially if you can work remotely from home or this “city of the future” is near your office. (Mr. Money Mustache has a great article on one here)
