Fire Your Boss

Cloud · 07-03-2007, 02:32 PM

Notes from the book by Stephen Pollan: Fire Your Boss
a very interesting counter-viewpoint to "do what you love the money will follow"

--Stop living to work and start working to live
--get your challenges and satisfaction out of life, not work
--It's about the money, not a "career"
--Always be "fishing" for new jobs and opportunities
--Fire your boss means taking charge of your own job life
--no one hires a stranger (mine your personal life for jobs)

--Important factors in evaluating a position, in order of importance:
1)Income
2) Proximity
3) Paid time off
4) Unpaid time off
5) opportunity for learning

--Factors which MAY be important:
disability insurance, health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, tuition reimbursement

--Factors which are no longer important in today's job market:
amenities, auto, challenge, culture, enviornment, expense account, advancement stability, status, title

elSicomoro · 07-03-2007, 03:10 PM

Since I technically work for myself, I should fire myself.

Sycamore, you're fired!

*sob* Now what am I supposed to do?!

Cloud · 07-03-2007, 03:27 PM

I think you're already there

kerosene · 07-03-2007, 04:52 PM

Did you pay yourself any severance, syc?

elSicomoro · 07-03-2007, 06:36 PM

I might have to take myself to court over it...I'm consulting my attorney.

Seriously...here's where I'm at right now: I am an independent contractor that makes decent money. Could be better, but it pays the bills. If I worked harder on my other business concepts, I could be in great shape. And I'll have great health insurance in November, thanks to April.

But I'd like to go back into the corporate world for a little while at least--maybe 2 or 3 years...soak up some more knowledge, pilfer some training, start a 401(k), meet and network. There's nothing wrong with being on your own at any level...I totally respect UT and anyone else that runs their own small businesses. And I want to do it some day. But I just spent $19,000 to get my Masters...to not try and put it into practical use in the "working world" for at least a little while would make it a waste of money to a degree to me.

Cloud · 07-03-2007, 06:52 PM

education is rarely a waste

kerosene · 07-03-2007, 08:37 PM

I could see that, syc. I think that is a solid approach.

I, on the other hand just let go of a 9 year career to stay home and switch my focus.

I think it all just depends on your perspective and where you are with your career...(oh, and whether you enjoy it or not.)

Congratulations on your Master's, syc, if I haven't already told you.

elSicomoro · 07-04-2007, 12:52 PM

Thanks!

Now I just need to find that real job...

07-04-2007, 04:31 PM

As long as you give yourself time-off, vacations, decent medical, allow yourself mistakes, turn the phone off from time-to-time and take breaks you don't need to be fired.

07-03-2007, 02:32 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Fire Your Boss Notes from the book by Stephen Pollan: Fire Your Boss a very interesting counter-viewpoint to "do what you love the money will follow" --Stop living to work and start working to live --get your challenges and satisfaction out of life, not work --It's about the money, not a "career" --Always be "fishing" for new jobs and opportunities --Fire your boss means taking charge of your own job life --no one hires a stranger (mine your personal life for jobs) --Important factors in evaluating a position, in order of importance: 1)Income 2) Proximity 3) Paid time off 4) Unpaid time off 5) opportunity for learning --Factors which MAY be important: disability insurance, health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, tuition reimbursement --Factors which are no longer important in today's job market: amenities, auto, challenge, culture, enviornment, expense account, advancement stability, status, title __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-03-2007, 03:27 PM	#3
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I think you're already there __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-03-2007, 06:52 PM	#6
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	education is rarely a waste __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-03-2007, 03:10 PM	#2
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Since I technically work for myself, I should fire myself. Sycamore, you're fired! sob Now what am I supposed to do?!

07-03-2007, 04:52 PM	#4
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	Did you pay yourself any severance, syc?

07-03-2007, 06:36 PM	#5
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I might have to take myself to court over it...I'm consulting my attorney. Seriously...here's where I'm at right now: I am an independent contractor that makes decent money. Could be better, but it pays the bills. If I worked harder on my other business concepts, I could be in great shape. And I'll have great health insurance in November, thanks to April. But I'd like to go back into the corporate world for a little while at least--maybe 2 or 3 years...soak up some more knowledge, pilfer some training, start a 401(k), meet and network. There's nothing wrong with being on your own at any level...I totally respect UT and anyone else that runs their own small businesses. And I want to do it some day. But I just spent $19,000 to get my Masters...to not try and put it into practical use in the "working world" for at least a little while would make it a waste of money to a degree to me.

07-03-2007, 08:37 PM	#7
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	I could see that, syc. I think that is a solid approach. I, on the other hand just let go of a 9 year career to stay home and switch my focus. I think it all just depends on your perspective and where you are with your career...(oh, and whether you enjoy it or not.) Congratulations on your Master's, syc, if I haven't already told you.

07-04-2007, 12:52 PM	#8
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Thanks! Now I just need to find that real job...

07-04-2007, 04:31 PM	#9
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	As long as you give yourself time-off, vacations, decent medical, allow yourself mistakes, turn the phone off from time-to-time and take breaks you don't need to be fired.

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