CNNMoney and Fortune report on the best companies for which you could work. The list has the usual suspects -- Google, Cisco, Starbucks, Goldman Sachs. Lists and surveys come out from time to time about the best law firms for which you can work. But, I say who cares! I say I am the best company or law firm for whom I can work! I am solo, hear me roar!!
Certainly there are worse law firms and companies for whom you could work. Most are probably mediocre at best. Some "care for their employees" and lawyers better than most. But, you should not be fooled. You earn every dollar the company or law firm spends on you. The more benefits, such as day care, office space, espresso machines, massage therapist that they company offers, you can be sure that those bean counters expect you to generate many, many more times the money paid in revenue for the firm. The company provides more services because they expect you to work longer and harder than anybody else. You are going to need the messages and the espresso because you are going to be working night and day. You do not come first. Your family does not come first. The fact they ask you with a smile and a candy on your pillow does not make up for what is asked of you and the amount of time and effort asked of you.
I work at home. I have little overhead that I would not be out otherwise. I treat myself to all of the same perks for a fraction of the costs expected of me to provide back to myself and my practice. I can take a nap when I want. A walk when I want. I can work up to dinner time and then shut down without worrying about a commute home. If I do not feel well, I can lay in bed a little longer and linger a little longer. I might not have the flash, but I also do not have to worry about flushing someone else with cash.
Well, they mention job security. That by and large that is an illusion in this World. Make no mistake about it, we all work on commission. If we do not perform as expected we are out of a job. The only difference is that working for myself I actually get to keep more of what I make. I get to make a bigger commission.
And, then there is getting canned when you were living up to expectations. How many companies are laying off workers who have been around for years, not because the employee is not performing, but because the company is not performing? The stock is down and Wall Street is expecting heads to roll. A big client leaves the firm. The law changes as to a practice area. Either you cannot stand your boss or your boss cannot stand you. You were passed over for a raise, a bonus, a promotion. You were sexually harassed (I wish).
Too often we over glamorize jobs because we do not have the strength to even out income. The company will pay you every week or two and in private practice your money does not flow in so evenly. The news is that this does not happen for your great employer either. Rather, you employer sets money side when it is coming in, or has credit lines, so income can be evened out. You can do the same thing, and probably do it better.
The bottom line is that I am the best person for me to work, and you are the best person for you to work.
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