In October 2022, I became self-employed. This month marks four years of working for myself.
I could write about the different things I’ve done to make it work, running my own business, but I’ll save that for LinkedIn…
Instead, I want to reflect on how much my perception of work has changed in that time. And not just because I now work for myself: because work has changed. I lost my job at the start of a downturn in the job market, and it has only gotten worse. Many people, like me, choose a path of self-employment because it seems preferable to finding a new job. A choice born from necessity isn’t really a choice (though it forced me down a path I was likely headed anyway).
Fear drives a lot of what we do with our careers. Fear of the unknown. Fear of discomfort. Fear of giving up job security.
So whether you’re considering a voluntary career change or are pushed into one, here are four things to keep in mind.
1. The beginner phase is shorter than you think
When people consider a career change, they tend to assume that everything about the new career will be unfamiliar. That was certainly my assumption when I left a tech job I’d been at for 15 years and pivoted to a new career in content marketing.
And some parts of a new job will make a newcomer feel inadequate. Every industry has its own jargon, for example, and not knowing it is a fast way to feel like the least experienced person in the room. (Imagine my adjustment when “SQL” went from meaning “structured query language” to “sales qualified lead.”) But jargon can be learned. It usually just takes a few months of listening and asking questions.
And you’re never truly a beginner again, even if you start over in a completely new industry. That assumption ignores everything a career pivoter already brings. Someone a decade into their career has made hard decisions and kept complicated projects on track. Those skills take years to develop, and someone at the start of their career hasn’t had as much exposure to a wide range of experiences.
The beginner phase is real, but it tends to be short-lived.
2. What you take with you are your boundaries
People always have a specific reason for leaving a job, and a lot of the time that reason is a boundary that got pushed or crossed. Maybe it was a boss who expected answers late at night. Maybe it was an ever-increasing workload without an increase in pay. Maybe it was an intolerable co-worker.
These days, finding a new job takes months of effort. Nobody wants to go through all of that only to end up with the same problems at a different company.
So people hold on to the boundary. What you didn’t tolerate at one job becomes something they actively try to avoid at the next one. Plenty of people leave a job with a very clear list of what they won’t tolerate.
That list — whether it’s actually written down or exists only in your mind — is the most portable thing anyone takes from an old job. Titles and skills may vary between roles and industries. But a firm grasp of what you want and what you’re willing to give (and give up) won’t change.
Boundaries also make it easier to see the employment relationship for what it is. Companies hire people because they need the work done, and nobody employs anyone as a favor. You’re trading your time and talent for money. Holding firm to a boundary ensures the exchange stays fair on both sides.
3. Security doesn’t come from structure
For a long time, a full-time job with a salary and benefits was the safe choice. Working hard inside that structure was supposed to add another layer of protection, via promotions or, at least, respect.
Layoffs have shown us that the social contract is broken. Companies have zero loyalty to their employees (yet still expect loyalty). Staying late or picking up extra projects often doesn’t change the outcome of who is impacted by a layoff.
For years, tech, in particular, was the industry that was supposed to be safe. At this point, outside of unionized jobs, nothing seems to qualify.
Some will argue that a steady paycheck is still safer than self-employment income. But a paycheck can disappear without warning, and then a person has lost 100% of their income.
A lot of people have been mistaking survival mode for stability. They hold on to a job because leaving feels riskier than staying.
Self-employment carries its own risks. Clients leave, and projects end. Both paths of working carry risk; it’s just a matter of choosing your risk — and building your own forms of a safety net if needed.
4. Ambition changes shape
Back in 2021, I wrote about redefining ambition.
The title-and-promotion version of ambition is what society has historically decided to value. A title gives people clout when they introduce themselves, telling everyone in the room how important someone is.
But titles are often meaningless. I held an executive role at a tech company and had a title of Director. After I left, my replacement — who was given less responsibility than what I had — was offered a title of Vice President. At first, I was miffed. Then I realized that he was probably lured with a title in lieu of compensation. The company didn’t want to pay him as much, so the title was a consolation prize.
Four years out, my ambition looks different. I don’t call myself a “founder” or “CEO” of my one-person operation. My goals have shifted to being recognized for the value of the work itself. That kind of ambition is certainly harder to show off at a networking event. But success for me comes from doing good work without sacrificing everything else for it.
If you’re thinking about a pivot, you’ll still have your ambition. It may just start taking on a different shape.
Thinking about a career change? Download my guide: 5 Types of Career Pivots.
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