My Big Lie

Read Time - 4 minutes.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Layoff Lemonade.

Today’s newsletter is going to be very different.

You see, I’ve been lying to you.

But I’ve been lying to myself more than anything else.

In past Layoff Lemonade issues, I focused on giving job search advice.

As a former tech recruiter, I have 10+ years of expertise. I know many of you are searching for your next 9-5 job, so I wanted to support you in your journey.

There’s a big problem though.

I don’t believe in 9-5 jobs anymore.

I would never go back to working a 9-5 job.

I’ll sooner move back in with my parents in my 40s than return to corporate (mic drop).

I became a solopreneur 3.5 months ago. Going out on my own is the hardest thing I’ve ever done - by a long shot.

But even on my toughest days, I wouldn’t go back.

I am willing to sacrifice everything I have for the chance to make it on my own.

But I’m not a risk-taker. I make rational decisions based on common sense.

My layoff in December was a catalyst. It woke me up.

I realized that throughout my 23-year career, I was unhappy most of the time.

It was usually a combination of me not liking the company or my coworkers and not feeling aligned with the work.

I felt like someone had pressed a big pause button on my passions and interests.

I was robotic, going through the motions:

Wake. Dress. Commute. Work. Small talk. Work. Commute. TV. Sleep.

Because I thought I should. Because everyone else was too.

It’s what we’ve been taught after all.

It was nice in certain senses. Having a regular paycheck meant that I didn’t have to fret over nice dinners out or going on vacation.

I really miss that comfort in many ways. But even still, I would never go back.

There are 3 main reasons:

Earnings Potential

Your company decides how much you’re worth.

They decide what salary range you should fit within. That range is a box.

You’re not able to go outside the box. Even if you’re a top performer.

They determine when you’re eligible for a raise. And how much you’re ‘deemed worthy’ of receiving (usually a measly 2-3% increase) at their scheduled review periods (usually once a year).

They determine when you’re ready for a promotion, even if you know you’re ready now. And if they don’t have a role open, you’re left in limbo.

Why do we put up with this?

For a long time, I thought that I’d like to manage people and lead a team. I really enjoy teaching other people and helping them to improve their skills.

But the companies I worked for always held me back, telling me I wasn’t ready.

I’m 45, when am I FINALLY going to be ready???

I’m fed up with a corporation dictating my potential.

Layoffs

How many of us have experienced the ‘work family’ phenomenon?

When you’re working at a company, everything’s just peachy.

My last company used to bring in ice cream trucks and aromatherapy bars. They’d offer swag and treats for employees’ dogs.

The perks were great. Until they laid me off 2 weeks before Christmas.

Talk about the ultimate betrayal.

I haven’t shied away from stating publicly that I’ve been laid off 4 times.

But between us, I’ve been burned by more than 4 employers. There have been too many toxic work situations to count.

They have made it VERY obvious they only care about turning a profit. If employees suffer, who cares?

I worked for a couple of supposedly really great companies with fantastic people and culture. They both laid me off.

This is why I can’t consciously work for another company again.

Remote Work

I’m a huge advocate of remote work.

The pandemic proved that it was more than just possible, it changed people’s lives for the better in profound ways.

Now we’re seeing a retraction. Companies are demanding that workers come into the office most days of the week.

This makes NO SENSE. NONE. ZERO.

So many people want remote work. It offers the flexibility to be there for our families. We can focus on our health and wellness. We’re more productive in fewer hours.

I’ve heard numerous accounts of how remote jobs receive 8x as many applications (on average) than for hybrid roles. Job seekers are willing to sacrifice everything just to get that freedom and flexibility back.

The harsh truth? Companies don’t care about what you want.

By keeping tabs on your every move in an office, they want to control you.

I’m sorry, but this is f*cked up.

Why are you allowing a corporation to dictate your lifestyle when it’s misaligned with your priorities?

This is why I advocate for solopreneurship and building your own path.

[Note: Many people get solopreneurship confused with launching a startup, which is not what I’m referring to. It’s more about pursuing different income streams to give you leverage. Or to find work that gives you freedom and flexibility, like fractional work. There are many part- or full-time options.]

Wake up when you want to. Exercise when you want to. See your family when you want to. Travel when you want to. Live where you want to.

This is the ultimate form of power.

This kind of lifestyle should be a right, not a privilege.

This is the way work should be. You shouldn't have to fight a company for what you know is best for you and your family.

Let that sink in.

The reason I started Layoff Lemonade was because I truly view this time we’ve been given as a gift.

When you hop from job to job, it’s really hard to see clearly and properly evaluate if this is what you really want and deserve.

Now you have the time to reflect on what’s important to you.

Nothing would make me happier than to help you to get off of this corporate ‘hamster wheel’.

It makes me so angry to see companies treat job seekers like crap throughout the interview process.

Many of you might be saying “I agree with your points. But I need a paycheck to pay my bills. I can’t afford to take a risk.”

I’ll leave you with this truth bomb:

What if you get laid off at every future job for the next 1-2 years, with a several-month gap between each one?

Sounds pretty awful. With AI here to stay, I believe this is a painful picture of our new reality.

I understand that some people need to work a 9-5 job when it comes to important things like health insurance.

But it’s become critically important to think outside the box on how to safeguard yourself financially. Being 100% reliant on a 9-5 job is no longer optional.

Now having an entrepreneurial mindset doesn’t seem so risky anymore…

And I want to help you.

I know I’m not the only person who feels this way.

If anything I outlined above resonates with you, please message me. It would truly mean the world to me to hear from you!

My goal for future newsletters and with The Layoff Lemonade Handbook: Ultimate Guide is to break boundaries and show you what’s possible for your life and career.

I am not a corporation. I’m a person who truly cares about helping you to make the most out of your next chapter.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of this amazing community. Cheers to taking our lemon of a layoff and turning it into lemonade!

Big hugs, Jenny

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help: