Entrepreneurship is booming lately. You would have to live under a rock that was covered by another rock not to see somebody all over social media selling something, coaching the masses, or being an expert on some topic. I put some real respect on their hustles. Only a non-player of the entrepreneur game will attempt to throw shade on another's hustle because, quite frankly, they may not understand it. It takes a strong confident person to step out on faith and be an entrepreneur - you get the point, I got the point.
On the other hand, being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. Just like the blue lipstick craze that hit a little while ago, am I right?
The thing is, successful entrepreneurs have that hustling, idea-generating spirit. You can't miss a real entrepreneur when you meet them. And we all don't have that spirit, despite the numerous t-shirt and mug websites that pop up seemingly overnight. And for those of us that haven't been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, I'm here to tell you, it's ok. It's ok to love your 9 to 5. I did and I do.
I love what I do working in Human Resources. What I don't love is that 9 to 5 job-shaming has become a thing.
What is 9 to 5 Job-Shaming?
To put it simply, job shaming are the words that you hear from others that have divorced their 9 to 5 in lieu of working for themselves. They proudly proclaim just how green the grass can be on the other side. Have you ever heard these words?
"Girl, you working to fulfill someone else's dream."
Um no, I am working to fund my reality. My reality is I have a mortgage, a car, a kid, and a killer shoe addiction at times. And to add a cherry on top of that, I am working because it satisfies me and satisfies what I want out of a career.
The "Quit Your Day Job" rhetoric is not much better.
Quit my job? I guess this is where the magic happens. If entrepreneurship gives you instant happiness and it works for you, that is surely grounds to celebrate. Seriously, I have been grinning nonstop since I read stats on the tremendous growth of African American businesses, especially African American women. This is great, if this is your lane, but there is no need to shame how the other side chooses to live their lives in the process.
Shame On Them
If you are a 9 to 5er, the next time someone tries to give you their shaming-riddled speech because you love your job, let them know that you are just fine. Despite popular opinion, everyone does not hate their 9 to 5 job. If you love your career, but aren't satisfied where you work, find a job with a culture that suits you.
If you want to side hustle, do you in that arena too. Take the skills that you learned in your 9 to 5 and use them in your own hustle. Lisa Nichols, a motivational speaker, suggests that you use your 9 to 5 as your side hustle's business sponsor. The secret sauce for rich people is having multiple streams of income. So why can't we 9 to 5ers do it too, minus the other shenanigans?
Keeping It Real
Do it for the 'gram is more than a popular saying. It's become a real thing and a marketing tool. In addition, some people on social media also say to live your best life. Maybe we should remix it and emphasize living your best REAL life when it comes to social media. You know the life without the perfectly curated feed that makes everything look full of awesomeness and success?
I’m not advocating staying at a job that you are miserable at, I’m just saying create an exit strategy to get to th… https://t.co/fkSKgGlBTo— Necole Kane (@Necole Kane) 1523293386
The reality is, being an entrepreneur is tough work and, for some, it takes years of grinding out their visions that didn't go in the direction of their carefully crafted plans. Just like every day working a 9 to 5 isn't great, everyday of being your own boss isn't a dream either. What is most important is choosing the lane that is most fulfilling to you in whatever way that means. At the end of the day, do what makes you happy.
Live your best REAL life out loud and let others have the freedom to do the same.
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