Contributed by Sara Waqar Khan
Consider this: You were fired;
OK, I won’t be too harsh.
Reconsider this: You left your job and are in search of another one. These are definitely the lean times where there are no suitable vacancies. You are free and have some experience, but have no idea about what to do with it. You take some money (which you had saved from your previous job) and start your own small business. It becomes a success and starts flourishing and then suddenly it falls to the ground due to XYZ and then BAM. Nothing is left behind. A complete collapse. What do you do now…
“I grew up in a household where I was constantly reminded that being employed is always better than sticking your nose in a business; if you make one mistake you can lose everything in a split second. Thus, job is the best way to secure your future.
Well, I guess for some that is perfectly true. But for the ones who really want to do something in life and make their mark through their work, it is obviously not true for them.
Since I have been going around and meeting a lot of IT enthusiasts from the last couple of months, I have observed that about 60 %( of those who I have met) are working day and night in an IT firm. But the rest 40% either have side businesses or are entirely devoted to their startups.
These are the people who have made decisions, and are sticking by them strongly. A point comes in life where you have to decide whether you wish to continue with business or want to pursue something entirely different i.e. startup. Especially with reference to our culture when you finally decide to move forward towards a startup that is when the problems begin.
The Peoples Pressure
I am not referring to problems while building a strong base for the business, but problems which you face when people start talking. It is referred to as the peoples pressure a more advanced form of peer pressure. If you take a look then you will come to know that the story of every startup is almost the same. People talk, criticize, present their opinions and assess things even before results unfold. As a result, discouraging the hard worker with full force.
9-5s Who Break Under Pressure
Such people exist in great quantity in our country. Consciously and unconsciously they force individuals to the point where they decide to move back towards their old work i.e. the 9-5 work, and lose their enthusiasm completely. But this cruel world there are people extremely opposite to the ones mentioned above.
The Inspirer
Such people stand as a source of inspiration for everyone, why? Because they have the ability to motivate and help. But their number is very small but at the same time they have a considerable amount of experience. Meeting them gives one hope that soon one fine day they can also have a business of their own. But before that dream comes true, there has to be a reason, a strong will and a belief that yes we can do it.
Problem with Pakistanis
In Pakistan there are many people who wish to be self-employed but due to the training and conditioning from their families (and universities) they fail to do so. Therefore they resort back to private jobs which pay them a lot. But the continuous dissatisfied and agitated attitude lasts mainly due to the lack of security in the IT sector.
No Job Security
Many people say that there is no job security in IT industry. Our recent survey shows us that there is no job security in private firms what so ever. Every day we hear about growth of a company and at the same time we also come across the fall of another. People are hired on a daily basis and at the same time fired at the same speed as well. You never come across the reason of being fired.
Move towards The Safer Bridge
In order to build a safe future there has to be a safe and secure path as well. Many people complain that they do not have spare time for side businesses. Others have to give up their jobs in order to build a future, or as someone very recently quoted a fortune. Some have, but some refuse to. Thus, that is the point where you have to make decision between a job or a business.
Make the Right Decision at The Right Time
One thing you will have to learn. Nothing can ever go as planned. We make decisions, chalk out our plans and then discover that we were wrong. Then we make new plans and the cycle goes on and on. This is the world which teaches you to move forward in a more systemized manner. A business teaches you more than job ever can.
It is not a 9-5 routine which you follow. It is a 24 hours routine which eventually makes you go completely crazy. That is where learning actually takes place. And that is where you start moving on the right track.
A Beginners Collapse, Leads Towards Success
The complete collapse I mentioned in begging was not actually a fall. It should more appropriately be termed as a rise towards a bright future. Use this experience in your CV to impress employers. Fill the unemployed gap with it. And this one try, cannot possibly be the end of everything. Get ready for more because you are on your way towards a fortune.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Very nice thought and guidance to do something extra in our lives, rather than sticking with 9-5 job for whole life.
Nyc article.. thanks for sharing.. :)
Great Article and since i have also opted for my own business , i certify that all the information in this article is 100% correct as all what he mentioned , i have passed through it . and AlhamdulilALLAH i am today at the edge of completion of my project.
Very nice …Motivating Article …Gr8 Work …
I like ur article. very interesting and motivational.
Although I agree with the Pros of self-employment / business mentioned in this article. I, however, am not in agreement with the apparent Cons of a 9-5 job. And I think the Pros are limited mainly to the self-employed. The people working for them are again the 9-5ers.
All i can say, awesome article. The one thing that is really important in a startup is “Planning”. Nothing comes without planning
Thanks for sharing this encouraging article. I liked your efforts.
self employment is also bit risky when you are responsible to support your family.
I would be so thankful if you publish some article regarding Marketing of new company and establishing IT business.
Thanks
Very very good article for those who have experience but never user their experience for the right direction.
make a plain and then go for its completion with your job and start up a new venture.
I wish i can start ASAP. as i have taken the first step to start Pakistan’s #1 Job Search Engine http://www.mixxjobs.com/
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