"Free Agent Nation," a book by Daniel H. Pink, shows that
the American way to work in the 21st century is moving away from
employment to self-employment. That's marvelous news.
At least 33 million Americans now work for themselves. The
Industrial Revolution is over in America, and self-employment is
surging in "Free Agent Nation," America in the 21st century.
You must become a "free agent," too.
The number of union members is now only half as many as the 33 million self-employed. Unions, once useful and powerful, are now irrelevant, comical and feeble (but still heavy-laden with lots of cash and leaders practicing leftist political mischief). Union membership is plummeting because the Industrial Revolution ended.
Today's largest "employer" is not an industrial giant. It's Manpower, Inc.,the temp services firm, because many people are now permanent temporary workers, moving from assignment to assignment (a form of free agency).
Another form of free agency, being a NLF player, is more lucrative.
Traditional jobs are disappearing--some in obsolete industries, while others move to foreign countries (known as "offshore outsourcing").
Why pay an American worker $15 per hour when workers in China, earning an average of 61 cents per hour, can manufacture things far cheaper?
Technology brings increased productivity yet permanent job losses for many millions, since technology allows far fewer people to produce just as much.
Don't believe in the hollow political rhetoric about new job creation.
Although politicians will say anything to get elected, they have no power to create jobs. Businesses create jobs, when and if needed.
We predict that jobs will continue to decline. Our economy needs far fewer newly-created jobs, not millions more. But America needs millions more self-employed persons until 80% are self-employed, as before the Industrial Revolution started.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that, although millions of jobs were lost since 2000, some 1.9 million new businesses were created during the same time.
So, these job losers are not homeless people eating out of garbage cans, as some politicians suggest, but are founders of their own new businesses.
Afraid to be self-employed? Think it's too risky? Jobs are more of a risk to your finances, family, physical and mental health and happiness than self-employment. Self-employed people are twice as likely to earn more than $75,000 annually than employees.
Dread returning to work Monday morning? Don't worry. Since there are many more heart attacks on Monday morning than other days and times, possibly caused by fear of returning for a week of more job stress, most hospitals increase staff at that time.
Is being confined to a cardiac care unit more pleasant that returning to work on Monday?
Working for yourself first means thinking for yourself, not following the flawed and outdated ideas, whims, dictates and of others.
H.L Mencken (1880 to 1956), a famous American journalist, said that people who do not think for themselves belong to a species called "Boobus Americanus."
A "Boobus" is wimpy and spineless, has few ideas of his/her own, and can be pushed around easily by employers, friends, family, intrusive government and sometimes a church and/or denomination.
America's conventional medical system ("the sickness industry") and its economic hucksterism, the moronic popular culture, busybody family members, unsuccessful like-minded friends, and sometimes a spiritually dead yet domineering churches--these things all enslave a "Boobus."
A "Boobus" in corporate management is called "The Organization Man," (described by author William H. Whyte in his book of the same name), an executive or manager continually sucking up to the boss, craving a larger desk, bigger office, more petty bureaucratic power, an annual "merit" raise, a hefty bonus, stock options, executive perks such as a gold key to the executive wash room, and material and high society benefits to impress others such as company-paid country club memberships.
An "Organization Man" loves to perpetuate the status quo, stifle innovation, exercise control by writing and following worthless procedures, attend sterile corporate committee meetings, and squeeze out smart, creative subordinates deemed to be a "poor fit" with the firm.
"Free Agent Nation" has a chapter named "Bye, Bye Organization Guy." Both the "Organization Man" and long term employee are becoming part of a closed chapter in American history. Don't be left behind as a discarded particle in the dust bin of American history. Work for yourself instead.
Neither a "Boobus" nor an "Organization Man" be. Don't continue to live in the past. In today's world, the "old days" sometimes means last year. Change happens fast. You must keep up with it.
The first step to being a "free agent" is to free yourself from the dominion and influence of others and start thinking for yourself in all areas of your life, getting sage advice when needed.
You must work for yourself in "Free Agent Nation," marching to your own drumbeat and cheerfully disregarding advice from whiny, chronically unsuccessful, people--those depending on a change in the weather, good luck, winning a lottery, receiving an inheritance, finding a "dream job" (what an oxymoron!), or qualifying somehow for womb to the tomb government largesse.
John J. Alquist owns and operates Alquist Enterprises. John is a professional speaker, author, and business consultant. Visit John online at http://www.tell-it-well.com Or contact him at john@tell-it-well.com
