When I graduated college, I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I got a full-time job as an Administrative Assistant (since anyone with a degree in Communications is essentially unemployable out of college when it comes to a decent paying job, don’t you know).
The entire time I had this job, I felt that “itch”. And every entrepreneur knows what I’m talking about right now. It’s that feeling of complete discontent at what you’re currently doing. It’s that feeling that you’re meant to do and be so much more.
It was because of this “itch” that I decided to quit my full-time job, and go it alone in the business world. Plus, I’m not going to lie, I hated what I was doing. The culmination of all of my years in the corporate world (which I realize aren’t that many, given that I’m 23, but I’ve had a job since I was 14) just brought me to a point where I couldn’t take it any longer. I knew I just couldn’t do this corporate thing ever again, because…
I was treated pretty badly, frankly.
I happen to believe that if you want to know who a person is, right down to their core, you can observe how they conduct business. If they treat their coworkers, superiors, and employees (whatever the case may be) with zero respect or care, well then something tells me that’s the type of human being they actually are. If they treat these people they don’t know very well like crap, then just imagine how they treat the ones they love.
This isn’t indicative of every place I worked, but for at least 75% it is.
There are some really weird mentalities in the corporate world.
The whole don’t-question-authority-and-just-do-what-you’re-told thing really rubs me the wrong way. I’ve always been an inquisitive and stubborn person, and I happen to believe that any thought is a thought that should be challenged. But this just isn’t accepted in the corporate world (generally speaking). There’s a clearly defined class system and you just don’t step out of line.
Authority is an important thing to learn. But, when it comes to my life and my financial wellbeing and my happiness, I’m the only authority that matters.
Being stressed 24/7 is just so not worth it.
What is everyone running around for? Why are you working 14 hour days? What’s the point of all this stress? I began to get physically ill. My body couldn’t even take it, and I’m in my twenties.
I knew I could offer the world more than just going through the motions.
I have really good, really original, ideas to share. I have a lot to offer to people. I don’t think that’s pride talking. I think that’s self-esteem talking (something a lot of people need more of).
I’m an entrepreneur.
And duh, of course entrepreneurs are going to hate being placed in a corporate box where original thought isn’t as important as busy work.
There are a lot of negative ways you could read into this post, but be assured that I don’t mean it in any of those ways. I know there are a lot of really great corporations and bosses out there (I’ve worked for a couple). Everyday, there are millions of people who go to work and love what they do, even if it’s in a corporate setting. Not everyone is an entrepreneur (and thank goodness for that). And that’s awesome, because the point of this post is to figure out who you are and what you love, and be that person and do that work.
For me, I’m not the corporate person. I’m the work out of my home office, jeans and t-shirt, blog for a living, Twitter all day, own my time and business direction, live the one life I got, type of person.
It took a long time for me to stop trying to fit myself into a certain image and box. But once I cut that out, I set myself free to meet my true potential.
What about you? Your thoughts on the corporate world?
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Oh yes, Im 39, been entrepreneur since age 26 when I started my own coffee shop. I DID indeed have years where I wasnt making much and had to have roommates. Thank goodness I got married which made life a tad easier.
Something about hte culture that doesnt work for me. My first 6 years out of college I worked for Jenny Craig. Great company, but still corporate.
Oh yes, Im 39, been entrepreneur since age 26 when I started my own coffee shop. I DID indeed have years where I wasnt making much and had to have roommates. Thank goodness I got married which made life a tad easier.
Something about hte culture that doesnt work for me. My first 6 years out of college I worked for Jenny Craig. Great company, but still corporate.