The REAL Problem With The 9-5

There’s a lot of people in the online money space that’ll tell you things like:

• You’ve got to avoid the 9–5 at all costs!

• The 9–5… it’s like hell on earth!

• The 9–5 sucks!

And they’re all completely baseless and untrue.

Chances are, the people talking down on the 9–5 have never actually had a real job, and are just echoing the thoughts of someone else who’s desperate for attention.

To be honest, it grinds my gears. So much so, I want to get a few things off my chest.

Today, I want to talk about:

• The 9–5 lifestyle

• Some common misconceptions and stereotypes

• The real problem, which nobody seems to recognise.

My Experience of The 9–5 Lifestyle

I worked my 9–5 (technically my hours were 9–6) for 3 years in Central London.

Accounting. Home insurance. You couldn’t get more boring if you tried.

Sure, 3 years isn’t a lot compared to most, but more than enough time to become somewhat institutionalised.

Did I enjoy it? I didn’t dislike it, otherwise I would’ve quit sooner than I did.

In truth, for me, it just felt like an extension to school, with:

• A new group of people.

• Different work.

• And I was getting paid for it.

Sure, there were some days I couldn’t be bothered, and some days I didn’t want to go in. But… you don’t have a choice, and it’s this structure that’s kept economies thriving for decades.

When I hear these money gurus online talking about the 9–5 as if it’s hell on earth, I just can’t help but laugh knowing that they’ve never had a real job.

The 9–5 is not only a fine place in the present, it’s also a great way to build wealth, especially at a young age.

When COVID hit, and we were all in lockdown, I was saving and investing some 75% of my monthly income as a 19/20 year old.

This isn’t a representative figure for any 9–5 worker, but the fact remains that being provided with a steady recurring income, mixed with decent job security, can put you in a great position to build a better future for yourself.

But there’s still a problem, and in a weird way, it lies directly within the benefits…

The Real Problem with The 9–5

I’ve been talking a lot about how the 9–5 isn’t anywhere near as bad as people think it is, and it’s true.

If the 9–5 truly was “hell on earth”, it wouldn’t exist.

We, as a collective, wouldn’t allow it to exist, and we would fight for better.

But the real problem lies directly within the idea of it being “not so bad”.

It’s not the stress that ruins you.

It’s not the working hours.

It’s not the work itself.

It’s the comfort.

The 9–5 is so hard to get out of for the simple fact that in the present, it’s actually a decent way of living.

• You have a set routine.

• You’re told what to do and where to be at certain times.

• You’re paid a regular income, often regardless of output or performance.

For a lot of people, it’s the ideal, easy way of living, and this is why it’s so hard to get out and do something of your own, like starting a business.

Why?

• You’re increasing your responsibilities.

• You’re taking on more risk.

• You’re in a worse position financially, at least for a little while.

For me, the only time I started getting concerned about my present position (in the 9–5) was when I started looking 5/10/20 years into the future.

To tell the truth, my 3 years in the 9–5 were actually great:

• Work was simple and largely stress free.

• Had great relationships with colleagues.

• Flexible office/remote work schedules.

• Great location (Central London will always rock, especially when you’ve grown up in the boring Essex suburbs)

I had zero reasons to leave when I did, except for the fact that I knew that if I didn’t make the leap of faith when I did, I would’ve been stuck there forever.

That’s the problem.

How to Leave The 9–5 Risk Free

Let me start by saying that this was something that I didn’t do.

I took on way more risk than I needed to, but it all worked out in the end anyways.

Having been an entrepreneur for over a year now, I can safely say that anyone can leave the 9–5 risk free.

It won’t be easy, but it’s possible.

How? Let me explain.

Despite this being what I did, the days of taking the “leap of faith” to start a business are long gone.

Why?

You can start a 1-person business alongside your job.

It’ll be hard work, and it’ll take longer than if you was working at it full time. But, it’ll be risk free, as you still have your 9–5 income to fall back on in case something doesn’t work out.

Find a business that’s right for you, and use your spare time (evenings, weekends, paid time off) to learn, and build something of your own.

• It might take a few months.

• It might take a few years.

• It might take a decade or two.

But, you’ll make it, unless you quit.

So, how will you know when you can quit your 9–5? A few things:

1. When your business income exceeds your 9–5 income.

2. When you feel safe enough leaving your 9–5 from a financial perspective.

3. When your business income exceeds your necessary expenses (mortgage, phone etc.)

It’s your choice when you quit, but it’s the risk that scares a lot of people.

So, why not mould your journey in a way that eliminates that risk?

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