Got Your Gig? 43% Do!
A recent study by Intuit predicts that 43% of the population will earn a living independently by 2020!
This means that nearly half of the population will be freelancers or contracting as business owners. Income will be based on who they choose to work for, how they work and when they work.
In 2017, the gig economy was how 34% of the population earned a living, so this number continues to rise quickly.
If you are not now a part of that gig economy, you may end up being so, not even by your own choice. Employers may choose to work with contractors rather than employees because it reduces liability and costs. You may find your position moves from employee to contractor because it simply is easier for your administrator to run a business that way.
But, why end up in a situation by default? Why not choose how you earn your income and when you are ready to enter the gig economy?
Let’s look at some myths people have about working independently.
- You Really Can’t Earn a Good Living That Way
That is a huge fallacy! This economy would not be growing if people found it difficult to earn a good income working independently. With the right strategy and skill, you can make an exceptional income working in the gig economy.
2. Isn’t a Gig Economy Really Just a Temporary Position?
Okay, musicians play a ‘gig’ ( a different venue or program) when they perform, but the gig economy simply means short term contracts or freelance work versus a permanent job. You can work for many people earning what you charge and you can do this full or part-time. It’s up to you!
3. It’s too Hard to Figure Out How to Work Independently.
If you know what you want to do and who needs what you have to offer, there are simple steps to grow your idea into a business form. People from 16 to 80 and beyond can be contractors or independent business owners. If it were that hard why would more and more people be turning to this type of work?
4.Earning a Living as an Entrepreneur is Scary and Unpredictable.
Think your current job will never be downsized or eliminated? It is far more unpredictable to work for an employer. Unless you plan to fire yourself, you will always have work.
5. Most People Who are Employed Have a Difficult Time Working Independently
Just the opposite is true. Once you become an entrepreneur you most likely would find it quite difficult to go back to the confines or working under an employer again. True, entrepreneurs must learn good time management and self discipline but working independently is often much less stressful than a typical 9 to 5.
You can be part of that 43% in many ways.
The ‘gig’ economy doesn’t mean you must have a full time business. You can choose to grow a side income and earn some extra cash to remodel, take a great vacation, retire earlier or pay off some signficant bills.
You can work as many or as few hours weekly as you choose.
Your gig is dependent on how you want to start it. Just like a musician can choose whether he plays several nights weekly, just on weekends or even just sporadically, you can make these choices as well.
I am going to predict that more than half of the working population will earn a living independently before the end of 2022.
So which half will you be in by then?
Will you continue to earn your living helping your employer grow their dream or will you decide to start your own gig a bit at a time and see where it goes?
Don’t make the mistake of believing you are irreplaceable to an employer.
Never assume your position is guaranteed.
Unless you call the shots, nothing is for sure.
So why not start to take some control of your future?
You already have some ideas and skills. Whether you want to make furniture, teach music lessons, coach, design websites, make jewelry, offer counselling, tutor, be a copywriter, train someone, work with pets or take any talent or skill you have and earn income…NOW is the time.
I have a feeling independent workers are going to control the economy in the near future.
Do you want to be controlled or take control? That’s the question you need to ask yourself NOW!
Kathy is an entrepreneur and business coach. Follow her at https://facebook.com/findingyourfire and visit https://kathybrunner.com to learn more.
