Is a Regular 9-5 Job Under Estimated?

[smbchamp]

If you have been online, you must heave heard that we must not do a 9-5 job as it's for losers. Or at least some version of that comment.

Being in a business forum, I assume most of you are entrepreneurs or at least starting to look into entrepreneurship.

I have written an article on why a regular 9-5 job isn't bad after all.

Appreciate your thoughts on this after reading my view point.

P.S: Since we have businesses, we probably have people working for us. Imagine if everyone starts rebelling

 

[Furrtiv]

Well I'm currently in a regular 8 - 5 job (used to be 8 - 6) and the pros are that I have a regular, guaranteed income, I don't have to worry too much about regulations, H&S laws etc, because my boss has to deal with all that, and finally I don't have the headaches of having to deal with stroppy staff, as I'm not in charge of anyone!

However, the cons are also there; it's easy to get stuck in a rut, there may be no room for personal growth and expansion (my own personal bugbear, that one), and the hours can be very inflexible indeed. My factory shuts down for three weeks over Christmas, and I have to take that time out of my annual paid holiday allowance or I don't get it paid, meaning that, after including all the bank holidays, I essentially have one week's worth of paid holiday a year where I get to choose when I can take it.

I think there are many other pros and cons, but to me those are the most obvious.

 

[smbchamp]

Although "guaranteed income" is just an illusion (hint: recession), it's quite obvious that people tend to like the feeling of security and hence many people don't turn to entrepreneurship

 

[Furrtiv]

Yes, but I also find that there seems to be a midset amongst "working" people (by which I mean the general employed), whereby they view those who go off to start up their own business, or maybe just follow a different philosphy in life, as having some special zest or skill. Certainly, I'm sure many on here would agree that they do indeed possess a different approach to life, or good skills, but really, anyone could start up a business. All you need is something to offer/sell, and a different mindset. Most people have a marketable skill of some sort, but breaking the 9 - 5 mindset is the hard part. I'm struggling with that myself right now, but reading things on here about how people have done it, has helped me enormously.

 

[Furrtiv]

Ah yes, the economic downturn, as it has been called, is one of the main reasons I was thinking a second income may be a good idea right now.

 

[smbchamp]

Most people have a marketable skill of some sort, but breaking the 9 - 5 mindset is the hard part.

You nailed it there. It's all about the mindset. I have written an article on entrepreneurship mindset as well.

Ah yes, the economic downturn, as it has been called, is one of the main reasons I was thinking a second income may be a good idea right now.

It's said that another big recession is coming next year end or early 2013. Maybe then everyone would start thinking about starting a business!!!

 

[Mike Seddon]

I think at the end of the day you have to do what makes you more happy.

For years I was an employee and I climbed quite high in corporate world but then one day I suddenly found I was bored with it all and didn't want to go any higher.

I sort of stumbled into setting up my own business over 11 years ago now and I've never been happier.

The perceived lack of security was a concern when I first did it but I think that is a mindset issue. Even in 9-5 you are only as secure as your ability and that of your company (ie: you could be good at your job but if you company closes then that won't help you).

 

[smbchamp]

I think at the end of the day you have to do what makes you more happy.

For years I was an employee and I climbed quite high in corporate world but then one day I suddenly found I was bored with it all and didn't want to go any higher.

I sort of stumbled into setting up my own business over 11 years ago now and I've never been happier.

The perceived lack of security was a concern when I first did it but I think that is a mindset issue. Even in 9-5 you are only as secure as your ability and that of your company (ie: you could be good at your job but if you company closes then that won't help you).

Yes, the false sense of security makes many people believe that a regular 9-5 job is safe.

But, in India, if you have a government Job , its as secure as anything. Whether you work or not, you are al;most guaranteed that you will never lose your job!!!

 

[TotallySport]

people don't work 9-5 because its safe, people work 9-5 because thats when 90% of the business need the people working or they have other commitments which makes 9-5 the best option like having kids.

 

[smbchamp]

people don't work 9-5 because its safe, people work 9-5 because thats when 90% of the business need the people working or they have other commitments which makes 9-5 the best option like having kids.

Well I certainly wont agree with the fact that people with kids prefer a regular 9-5 job. I know a lot of people who took to online business just cause they have kids.

 

[James Greg]

Well a 9-5 job is not just for the kids or anything but it sure provides enough leisure time after getting back from work. Nowadays most people sleep after 23:00hrs and after getting back from work and till midnight there's plenty of time to do anything you want.

 

[TotallySport]

Well I certainly wont agree with the fact that people with kids prefer a regular 9-5 job. I know a lot of people who took to online business just cause they have kids.

Kids was one example and I know plenty of people that work 9-5 because it suits them, I know plenty of people it doesn't, that doesn't distract from the fact that 80% (massive estimation) of employers open 9-5 which makes reasonable to think thats why poeple work 9-5.

 

[smbchamp]

Kids was one example and I know plenty of people that work 9-5 because it suits them, I know plenty of people it doesn't, that doesn't distract from the fact that 80% (massive estimation) of employers open 9-5 which makes reasonable to think thats why poeple work 9-5.

Yes I do agree with you that many people stick to their day jobs because they like it. Most people don't like the idea of having to find business ourselves, market it, and so on.

It's too much trouble. I know quite a few people running IT companies and they hardly get time to eat two times a day. I am not for such a lifestyle. Most people are not.

Appreciate your insight mate.

 

[businessfunding]

First, let me say there are many people who can and should remain in the 9-5 category, which a good and intrinsic part of the nation's workforce.

There are even people who come to me who I will gently try to sway back in that direction (and many more who take fright into staying there)

What this argument appears to overlook is the concept of 'small business' as opposed to 'entrepreneurship' in it accepted sense (before Dragon's Den took hold)

Some simplified stats: there are 4 million businesses in the UK. More than 90% of these fall into the SME category. Of that 90%, more than 90% are actual small (ie turnover < £2.8 million, fewer than 9 employees amongst other things). The average number of employees is just 2 - very often related. Most of these people aspire to something similar to a 9 - 5 job, without having to answer to a boss (having to answer to bank managers, customers, suppliers. landlords etc is a different matter entirely). The financial aspiration is predominantly a for decent standard of living & something to sell or pass on at retirement age; no Bentleys, helicopters or castles.

My fear is that this is the overlooked sector which scares some good people away from running a business.

 

[smbchamp]

First, let me say there are many people who can and should remain in the 9-5 category, which a good and intrinsic part of the nation's workforce.

There are even people who come to me who I will gently try to sway back in that direction (and many more who take fright into staying there)

What this argument appears to overlook is the concept of 'small business' as opposed to 'entrepreneurship' in it accepted sense (before Dragon's Den took hold)

Some simplified stats: there are 4 million businesses in the UK. More than 90% of these fall into the SME category. Of that 90%, more than 90% are actual small (ie turnover < £2.8 million, fewer than 9 employees amongst other things). The average number of employees is just 2 - very often related. Most of these people aspire to something similar to a 9 - 5 job, without having to answer to a boss (having to answer to bank managers, customers, suppliers. landlords etc is a different matter entirely). The financial aspiration is predominantly a for decent standard of living & something to sell or pass on at retirement age; no Bentleys, helicopters or castles.

My fear is that this is the overlooked sector which scares some good people away from running a business.

Thanks for sharing the stats.

 

[KateCB]

In these days of flexible working hours, the 9 - 5 is a cliche, or just a way of saying you work for someone, not yourself in most cases.

I am sure that there are many who actually work between 9am and 5pm, but now there are many more who may still work 7 - 8 hours a day, but perhaps start at 7am and finish at 3pm (i know a few who do this) ; we start at 10am to give parents time to get their children to school, lunch can be taken at 2.30 - 3.30 to allow time to pick children UP from school and delivery to relatives/childminders - we finish for the day at 6pm and we have been working this way for 12 years, long before any flexible working directives came in.

People equate 9 - 5 with being an employee, working for a large company, but many 'employees' particularly in corporate positions work far longer than 9-5, and just as many get bored with the routine, so perhaps the question should have been 'is being employed ......?

 

[papverpoppies]

I think that whether you work 9-5 2-10 be it for someone else; or your self, then count yourself lucky.

A job is a job in this climate, so do not knock it.
So long as it brings the money in, pays the bills and puts food on the table, what the heck

Pops ~xx~

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

I think alot of people suffer from thinking that they are something special and are too good/intelligent/creative/whatever to work for someone else or in a 'normal' job.
If I could have the life that I want from the jobs that I could get then I would have no qualms about being a 9-5er.

 

[smbchamp]

A lot of valuable comments. Yes, if you get what you want from a 9-5 job, then do it. Don't go after life style design as some people call it!!!