If a delay in your monthly pay disrupts your entire life, you are not truly independent and you shouldn't be sleeping the whole day this Independence.
This may not resonate with everyone, but as we celebrate our independence, there's one piece of advice I’d like to give you: develop a career and financial muscle independent of your employer.
Here’s why: your employer could wake up one day and close shop, but your career must continue, and your bills will still need to be paid.
Today, you may have a contract that seems permanent, but the reality is that at any moment, you could be let go due to restructuring or something beyond your control.
So, what does it mean to be independent from your employer?
✅ Evaluate Your Current Role: Are you growing in your career? Are you gaining new skills that you could market if your job were to end today? Just because your employer is paying you for clerical work where you're not growing doesn’t mean another employer would be willing to hire you if you lost that job today or if you wanted to change employers. Invest in your skillset to ensure you remain valuable beyond your current position and employer.
✅Adapt to the Changing Career Landscape: You’ve likely heard the phrase, "AI won’t take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI will." AI isn’t just coming for your job; it’s coming to your job. Even if your employer isn't currently adopting AI, that doesn’t mean it won't happen. We must stay aware of emerging trends. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) conversations are everywhere, customers now prefer environmentally friendly businesses, and regulations are getting stricter. What does this mean for your career? Are you adapting for what is coming?
✅Know Your Worth: Your employer is likely paying you just enough to keep you, not necessarily what you’re truly worth. That’s why so many people see a 50% increase or even double their salary when they switch jobs. In an era where businesses are finding ways to cut costs, relying solely on your employer’s paycheck can be risky. If a delay in your monthly pay disrupts your entire life, it’s time to think about the value you bring and how you can continually improve yourself to attract the right opportunities. Your employer shouldn’t be doing you a favor by employing you; you should be an asset attracting the best offers.
✅ Lastly and most importantly, learn how to live within your means, save, invest, and create alternative income streams. Leverage your time after work, weekends, public holidays, and leave among others to build something that you can hold on to if your salary is delayed or you lose your job tomorrow.
I would like to hear your thoughts about career or financial independence, is this something easy to achieve, what are you doing or what can you add to this discussion?
Coach Samuel Ibanda
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