Work-life fit is the foundation on which you base many decisions.
What is work-life fit?
Today, we’re going to look at work in a different way. I’m not going to talk about how to find a job or where the best jobs are. I’m going to ask you to think about where work fits into your life as a whole.
Many people speak of a work-life balance, but I like to talk about a work-life fit. This is the basis on which the rest of your life will hinge, in many respects, so it is very important. A work-life fit is the best way that work can fit into your life. Believe me, your life is more important than any job, and life is short, so you have to put it first!
There are three ways that work fits into how you go about doing things, who you are and how you see money-earning activities. Read through them and ask yourself which you feel best describes where you want to be – then go and make it a reality in your life.
Building someone else’s empire: You are an employee
This is the stock standard – employees work in a job at a company (not owned by them) and get paid a monthly salary. They don’t mind putting up with the corporate crap and in return receive job security of not being without pay. While some would feel this is a negative approach to earning money, this is the way most people make a living and there is nothing wrong with it.
Building your own empire: You are an entrepreneur
Many entrepreneurs start businesses and the majority fail, however those that stand up to the market reap enjoyable rewards. Bear in mind that this kind of work-life fit requires much more effort than being an employee. It is fraught with risk, but higher rewards. It allows one much freedom, but this is countered by lots more work.
Building your own empire: You are a contractor
These workers do not wish to work in the same company constantly and deal with office politics. Contractors prefer to work well on projects and continue to be hired, often for more than one at a time. They enjoy a huge amount of freedom to do what they like, usually earn quite well, however have less job security. They have to be on top of their game to make sure they keep getting work. Many of them aim to become financially independent by living off a large sum of capital saved up over many years.
Choose your work-life fit
There aren’t any other options than the three above. Of course, you can be all three at once, if you want to, but it’s usually better to stick to two at most. if you are currently an employee and building someone else’s empire, when you’d rather build your own, start taking steps to do that.
Simply being unhappy in what you do isn’t going to give you a full life. You invariably grow up, meet someone nice, have kids and so on. But the working part of your life impacts the other parts so strongly that it isn’t worth getting it wrong.
