A Declaration of Independence

In 1776 the Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence from England.  At the time many Americans were already independent as far as their work was concerned.  Although most adults worked, they did not have jobs.  They were self-employed as farmers, shop keepers, tradesmen etc.  Even lowly apprentices were expected to eventually move on to their own businesses when they learned their craft.

Fast forward to the 21st century.  Most working Americans have jobs and are terrified of being unemployed.  They work for organizations which dictate when and where they will work, what they will do, how they will dress and so on.  These workers need to conform to the expectations of their employers.  Granted, there are many benevolent employers who try to provide pleasant working conditions, but ultimately employees must align themselves with the company’s standards.  And, even if they do all the right things, they may have little job security.

So, what options do American workers have?  One option is to view your employer as a client.  The way to have a happy client is to exceed their expectations.  Another approach is to anticipate what future needs the client may have and prepare to meet those needs.  An employee who works at exceeding expectations and preparing for future challenges will have more control over their career, and probably more job security.

Another option is to grasp the independence that American workers had in 1776 and become self-employed.  This has never been easier than it is today.  With affordable modern technology, many Americans working from their home and using a network of resources can have greater output than a staff of ten had a generation ago.