Why You Need To Be Independent.

As humans, we all have an independence strive

Tomorrow we celebrate the Independence Day in Mexico, where I’m living since many years back. The Independence from the Spaniards 1810, is celebrated in full every year since 1825.

All Latin-American countries celebrate their independence for the same reason as in Mexico. The same phenomena happen in almost every country in the world. It can be independence from colonists, as in the case of Latin-America, Africa, and others.

It can be independence from dictatorship, as in the case of the Perestroika in the old Soviet Union, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of centuries of communism and dictatorship.

In the Unites States of America, the 4th of July, 1776, is a memorable day when the country became independent from Great Britain

It can be independence from slavery, as in many countries around the world. It can also be the women’s right to be treated equally as men. It’s still a pending issue in many countries.

Whatever independence you would like to bring up, we will always come down to the same:

The human being is created and born to be free, and as a consequence also being independent. It is even formally stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.

The tricky thing here is to define the difference between freedom and independence if there exist any.

Well, freedom is a state of mind. You feel free to think and say what you want. Independence is more absolute. You depend on something or someone to be able to act. For example, a child can feel free to make expressions as desired, but are still dependent on his or her parents.

In my blog post of the 31st of August this year, we view freedom as a choice you make. Even if we are free to think, say and almost act as we want, a lot of people do not see freedom as a choice. The reasons can be many, but the most common is an independence issue.

To Be Independent Gives Freedom.

During the time of slavery, slaves didn’t see freedom as a choice. No-one could interfere with what they had in their minds. Expressing their thoughts freely, however, could produce severe consequences, inclusively putting their lives in danger.

Faith Down explain nicely in her blog the point of view she has as to the difference between independence and freedom.

Considering the opposite, independence automatically gives you freedom to think and say whatever you want. Of course, you will be responsible for what you say. Independence doesn’t only give freedom but also a responsibility to back up and defend your statements and actions.

With a regular corporate job where you trade your time and knowledge for money (your salary), you are dependent on your boss. You will do your very best to fulfill your employer’s expectation, as it eventually can give you a higher economic compensation. If your boss sees and hears from you what he or she wants to see and hear, the probability also is greater that you will climb the career ladder.

You are highly dependent of your boss. The freedom to say, act and even think what you really want is limited to a well-defined frame.

Without even be aware of it, a lot of people spend whole their active life in this situation. They accept to hold back their freedom on a lot of things, to not hazard the career.

All above is a short but straight to the point description of the typical relationship employer vs. employee. And most people accept it, as it still is the most common way to make a living. Of course, a lot of variations exist. Some people just don’t like to take the “risk” to be independent, but prefer to be led through their life journey.

Can You Be Partly Independent?

As our society is set up and how the labor market has been functioning up till now, only two choices are available: Either you get employed or “take the risk” to create your own business.

With the online business growing faster than ever, the established “rule” of choice to make a living is about to change. A lot of people has already taken action and belong to the new era of successful and wealthy entrepreneurs.

It’s a new generation of individuals, no matter age, gender, nationality, race, religion or social belonging. This group of people thinks differently, where serving and supporting is more important than competing.

Let’s face it, in spite of promises from political leaders around the world, the relative number of new job opportunities is in constant decrease since time ago. The reason is the change in the structure of the world commerce and business.

Several sources confirm the same: There will be fewer positions in the future and the Worl Economic Forum estimated earlier this year that 5 million jobs would disappear over the next five years.

Independent Entrepreneurship – The New Lifestyle.

The digital environment, that a lot of people viewed as something peripherical is now taking over the world economy. Prominent retail chains are announcing important cuts in their store structure, making necessary reductions in the number of stores. Companies like Amazon are growing faster than ever. Amazon has a modern structure with a fully automated distribution. They get significant competing advantage by operating with much lower overheads and costs in general.

At the same pace, prestigious universities all over the world start to get problems to fill up their courses with students. Young people begin to recognize that university titles and degrees don’t give for granted any position that can assure a decent living in the future.

The good thing and also the different way of approaching the new challenges waiting out there is that you don’t need to quit your corporate position to let your independence dream come true.

With the low cost, the Internet flexibility and your burning desire for freedom, it is possible to be partly independent. You can start to build your own business during your spare time. Continue your normal corporate job until you feel “safe” to take a step towards complete independence.

Any moment is a good moment to take a decision. Let the Independence Day of Mexico we are celebrating tomorrow symbolize the start for your own independence. Start slowly and safely during your spare time. Taste, smell and feel the real freedom, where you as an independent decide what to do with your life and your future.

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