I just had lunch with a former colleague and learned of a hellish situation at my former workplace. People being pushed out simply because they are not liked by administration, statistics being manipulated to abolish departments, people's self-confidence being undermined... You may say that a company can't survive under these circumstances but this is a non-profit and if they can convince the board they are accomplishing something, that's all that is required. Those of you working for corporations also know that companies do coast along for long periods of time with cruel or poorly functioning leadership.
Which brings me to the point of my post. Even if you love your job/work/profession it is important to be prepared for it to go away. Workplaces change. Bosses come and go. Economies tank at the wrong time. Anyone, no matter how skilled, can be pushed out of a job or made miserable while staying in one.
Financial Independence gives you options. You can take a better job that doesn't pay as well. You can try starting your own company. You can pursue your hobbies and forget the whole thing. You can donate your time to some organization that is really accomplishing something. You can write that novel that's been bouncing around in your head. Or you can continue right where you are, knowing that should things change, you have options.
I walked away from this insanity half a year ago and am I glad that I had the option to do so.
Which brings me to the point of my post. Even if you love your job/work/profession it is important to be prepared for it to go away. Workplaces change. Bosses come and go. Economies tank at the wrong time. Anyone, no matter how skilled, can be pushed out of a job or made miserable while staying in one.
Financial Independence gives you options. You can take a better job that doesn't pay as well. You can try starting your own company. You can pursue your hobbies and forget the whole thing. You can donate your time to some organization that is really accomplishing something. You can write that novel that's been bouncing around in your head. Or you can continue right where you are, knowing that should things change, you have options.
I walked away from this insanity half a year ago and am I glad that I had the option to do so.