7 Reasons Why A Salaried Job Is Like Crack Cocaine!
From time to time I work with individuals who are perfectly positioned to become business owners. They have lots of money, no debt, great skill set, likeable personalities, and a true desire to break out of the employee mentality. However, at the end of the process, they decide to return to a job. Of course, for anyone who is a business owner, this is exceptionally hard to understand. Why would spend your life preparing for freedom but when the opportunity is presented, return to a job?
There is only one reason that I can think of – salaried jobs are like crack cocaine! Ok now you think I am totally off my rocker but stay with me. What is it like to be addicted to a drug like crack cocaine? In reading about drug addiction and discussing it with a friend who is a drug counselor, I learned a few things. You will be amazed at the similarities between a salaried job and doing drugs.
- Each time you do drugs (get paid), you get high. Science has proven that the same part of your brain, the reward center, is stimulated by both drugs and money. This is even true when the drugs (money) are not as good and the previous time.
- To feed your reward center, you need the drug (salary) on a regular basis. Once a day or a week does not matter. What matters is that the drugs (salary) be available on a regular, predictable basis. Not knowing where your next drug (salary) high is coming from is nerve-racking.
- You set up your life around the drug (job) and give the drug (job) control over how you spend your day. In some cases you prioritize the drug (job) over your family.
- If the drug (salary) is suddenly removed, you go into withdrawal. You miss it – both physically and mentally. You often feel depressed and lethargic.
- It is hard to build wealth as a drug (job) addict since you have hard fixed expenses built around your drug (salary) habit. You know how much you can afford and set up your lifestyle around the supply of drugs (salary). Generally you spend what you make.
- If you don’t have the drug (salary) for a while, you panic and become desperate for another hit. Sometimes you find another hit quickly, sometimes it takes awhile. If a stranger offers you drugs (a job), even if it is just for a little while, the reward center in your brain screams at you to accept.
- As a drug (salary) addict, your drug (salary) habit controls your life. You know you shouldn’t do it but you cannot help yourself.
Over the years I have seen thousands of people try to kick the habit of salaried employment and become masters of their own destiny. Some manage it while others don’t. Remember, the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. If you are seriously interested in becoming a business owner, maybe this will help. Start each morning with the following mantra – “I am a salary addict”. From here, you will eventually gain strength and, maybe, one day, kick the habit. If you need help kicking the habit, feel free to contact me through A Franchise Coach.
Of course, this is a little tongue in cheek but there is also quite a bit of truth.
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