We need to talk about this ideology that working a 9 to 5 is a bad thing. That everyone needs to be an entrepreneur. That if you work for someone/corporation, you’re not living your best life or being the best version of you. LET’S STOP WITH THAT RHETORIC! The reality is, not everyone is meant to be a business owner. If every single human being on this planet decided to stop working for someone, nothing would get done. EVER. You would be a one man/woman show, burnt out, and wish that you could go back to a simpler time when you worked for someone.

We all have additional dreams outside of traditional career paths, but does one ever stop to think that maybe that person’s career path is their dream. Or that it is very much possible to work traditional hours and still cater to the other things one likes to do? The two are not mutually exclusive. I do it. I work from 10-6, or 7pm, or 8pm, depending on the day. And I still make sure that I carve out time for my influencing career.

 YOU CAN HAVE BOTH! YOU CAN DO BOTH!

Maybe your job is here to:

1) Discipline You: How are you going to work for yourself if you can’t stay diligent in waking up at a set time everyday and starting work? Working a “traditional” job gives you some serious time management skills that helps you tackle situations outside of work. It also informs you about what type of worker you are. Do you work better in a team or solo? Are you someone that likes to do multiple things at once, or do one task at a time? Having this knowledge about your own work ethic can help in your personal pursuits.

2) Teach You about Being a Follower: The idea of being a “follower” feels taboo to even talk about. Why be a follower when you can be the leader? Why be the tail when you can be the head? The truth is, if you’re so quick to wanting to be the leader, then perhaps leadership is not truly meant for you. That’s something I’ve had to learn for myself. I’ve always wanted to be the one to lead, and when I didn’t get the opportunity, I would be upset. Now I am grateful for those missed chances. If you are not able to understand what it’s like to follow, when you do finally have a chance to lead,  you’ll struggle to empathize with those who may eventually work under you.

3) Keep You Focused: Be honest with yourself. If you’re the type of person that tends to get distracted very easily, then having a structured job is NECESSARY. You can’t decide to own a business but struggle with the basic concepts of staying on schedule.

4) Test You: How do you handle the small things? How do you handle criticism from a superior? What is your work ethic like? This is something I’ve had to internally process. Yes, hearing criticism is hard, no matter how productive it may be. But we all need to hear it. We need to know the areas where we can improve, and then actually work to improve on those areas. How are you going to handle owning a business (and failing in some aspects), if you’re unable to handle failing in something much smaller, right now.

I am 1000% sure that every business owner out there will tell you that it’s not for the faint of heart, and that their past jobs shaped them into the owner they are today. Stop looking at your 9 to 5 as a drag. Something I remind myself daily: BE GRATEFUL. When you start thinking of it as something to better you, you’ll start to approach your days a bit more differently.

Lastly, your current job isn’t holding you back. If you truly want something, you will make time for it. I enjoy being an influencer and creating content. So when I have free time, I do just that. My day job allows me to fund this passion until it gets to a point that it starts funding itself.

This is also not saying that you should stay in a job that makes you unhappy. This is just a reminder that everyone’s path is not the same. The way you do something is not a cookie cutter example for everyone else. Let go of the idea that having a “traditional” career is hurtful to your “dream”. You can cultivate your passions while simultaneously doing a job well done in your career.

Until next time…

All Photography by Kristen Ashley