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FREELANCING/SIDE GIGS, FUTURE EMERGING JOB MARKET
As we watch the economy of America take an impressive swing upwards, jobs reports are continually being shared and analyzed in hopes of getting a better understanding of what is happening. Sometimes these reports are clear-cut. But, what about the workforce that isn’t so easily identifiable? About the workforce of freelancers? As Fox News reports, this portion of the workforce is contributing more than $1.4 Trillion annually into the American economy.
While ‘freelancers’ may not show up everyday for a “9-5”, they have their own unique skillsets that they market to those who need their talents and abilities. As Andy Challenger, with Gray & Christmas states, “the workforce has become really flexible. More and more employees out there want to be working freelance. Right now, estimates are about 53 million Americans are working freelance right now. That’s 34% of the American workforce”. Challenger continues to say, “projections are that half of all Americans could be working freelance by the end of the decade.”
So, the question is, is there an office for these ‘freelancers’? While some can choose to work from home, others have the option of using the resources provided by private companies like wework.. “The third largest startup in the U.S. has an evaluation of $20 Billion. It rents office space on demand.” Companies such as wework provide not only office space, but also shared communities for people to be able to have an environment of creativity needed to carry out their projects.
Business is no longer about the four-year college degree; getting a job and having it for the next 45 years. With our changing and developing economy, what a college student learns in their first year may be entirely outdated by the end of their second year. We must shift our mindsets and understanding of how things need to be. Some may express that the negative perspective of freelancing, or “gigging”, is that it does not provide health care or benefits. It is important that we take the responsibility of what is needed.
CEO and Co-Founder of we work, Adam Neumann, shares about the pinnacle high of starting a business, as well as the sobering realities of practical needs that have gone unanswered. “The first day of building a business is a big day, because that is the day when the full dream comes into play.” Neumann continues, “But then the second day kicks in: where is my office? Where is my internet provider? How am I gonna pay for electricity? Where am I going to get sales from?” These are all legitimate questions that every entrepreneur faces. This is where We Work seeks to fill those gaps. Neumann explains. “At We Work, we really strive to help you as much as we can. Focus on doing what you love. Create your life’s work and let us take care of the rest.” Neumann sums up how they have positioned themselves to respond to today’s developing economy. “We work is the office space of tomorrow.”
What is additionally intriguing about freelancers is that this form of working reportedly earns more than twice the annual salary in America. The beauty of this is its flexibility to adapt and change to whatever your changing business or idea may be. You aren’t tied to an office building or other contracts holding you to a specific region or location.
Are you in freelance? Are you looking for a shared community of creativity to carry out what God has called you to do? We want to hear from you. Share how creative environments help you to be more productive. See the full conversation on today’s changing workforce, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: workforce, unemployment, Fox News, health insurance, shared office spaces, community workforce, creativity, freelance, gigging, community company, multiple streams of income, and mindsets. Greg and John shared in this segment.
PENDULUM THEORY, ME VS. WE GENERATIONS, WE ARE IN A “WE” – BUSINESS RELATIONS
When we look back throughout history, there are many cycles of change that can be seen. According to Roy Williams and his extensive research of more than 3,000 years, the American economy has been carrying out the same cycle every 80 years. He calls it the “Pendulum”, and its details are written out in his book: Pendulum: How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future.
When sharing his research to Glenn Beck, Williams describes the extremes on each side of the Pendulum are the “WE” on the left and the “ME”, on the right. On the left side are ideas such as “I’m O.K. You’re not O.K.”, which results in a ‘witch hunt’. The right side carries with it ideas of “You’re O.K. I’m not O.K.”, which results in Hero Worship.
During extremes of the Me Generations arise individuals, whether it be Adolf Hitler or Ronald Reagan. This lasts for 20 years, and then it comes back down, which takes another 20 years. At the end of this 40-year turn, then a We Generation begins causing the entire process to take 80 years. When looking at this cycle, the tragedy of the matter is that we always take a good thing too far. It is this realization that causes the “pendulum” to come back down.
Moving into the We Generation greatly contradicts the values of the Me Generation”. The “We” says, “the group, the team, the collective”. Williams begins to share where we are today. “That’s where we’ve been since 2003. We’ve been in the upswing of a “We” cycle.” Continuing his point, he shares, “It’s your planet too. It’s my planet. We’re all in this together. Do you recycle?” In a “We” cycle, the demonstration of your actions speaks louder than the simple proclamation of what your dreams are.
Williams shares an insightful understanding of what takes place during the transition between the two cycles. “There is always some confusion in which way the wind is blowing right at the tipping point between a “We” and a “Me” or a “Me” and a “We”. And, we will carry forward some of the old behaviors and some of the old way of thinking, not realizing that the Earth has shifted beneath our feet; and people’s heads and hearts are in a different place now.”
Understanding these principles greatly impacts how we market our businesses. Consider the business model of Starbucks. They have completely capitalized on the concept that people care more about community than a cup of coffee. With this understanding in mind, what is your sitting area like? Can people sit around and talk? Right now, we are in a “We” Generation. Don’t simply connect to just anything, know that those that you are connecting to share the same values and ideals that you have.
How does this encourage you? Are you looking for a sense of belonging? Are you wanting to know how to better position and market your company in this We Generation? Connect with us and share. See the full conversation about the shifts of our generation, how to connect with what is happening, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: Roy Williams, Glenn Beck, Adolf Hitler, Ronald Reagan, Me Zenith, Me Generation, We Generation, We Zenith, upswing, downswing, pendulum, pendulum theory, seasons, times, Starbucks, VFNTribe, VFN tribe, tribe, where do I belong?, and a sense of community. Greg and John shared in this segment.
VFNKB #SuccessSecrets OWN YOUR HAPPINESS; T.D. JAKES
In this culture of ever-changing attitudes, likes, dislikes, shares, apps, forwards, and everything else imaginable, many people find themselves affected by what other people are saying, or not saying. When it comes down to it, no one else is more in control of your happiness than yourself. This has a great impact on how we live our lives. When Bishop T.D. Jakes spoke with Steve Harvey, he shared about the importance of this revelation.
“You have to own your own happiness. Take it away from other people demanding that they make you happy.” Bishop Jakes continues to point out, “your kids are not going to make you happy; your spouse is not going to make you happy; a big house is not gonna make you happy. Own your own happiness and be responsible for doing those things that bring joy into your heart…”
Our life takes a dramatic turn when we take back the happiness of our own lives, and put it on ourselves, and stop expecting others to do what only we can do. How does this effect you? Have you had trouble enjoying your daily routine because of what others have said or not said? Share with us your comments. See the full conversation from Bishop T.D. Jakes, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: joy, happiness, Steve Harvey, life coaching, life principles, and your life story. Greg and John shared in this segment.