For years, we’ve been sold the idea that employment equals stability.
That showing up, doing good work, and staying loyal will somehow lead to long-term security.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
You’re the only one who still believes that.
The Myth of Job Security
Companies don’t rely on hope.
They build plans. Contingencies. Exit strategies.
They diversify their revenue, prepare for market downturns, and make calculated bets on what’s next.
Meanwhile, most employees have one income stream, one skill set, and no backup plan.
It’s a fragile setup — but we’ve been conditioned to call it “safe.”
Until the email hits.
The restructuring memo.
The AI rollout announcement.
Or that slow, quiet demotion that no one talks about.
You’re not safe.
You’re just single-source employed.
The Reality Behind the Curtain
The job market isn’t built for stability — it’s a game of musical chairs.
And automation just removed a few more seats.
What we call a “career path” is often just an optimistic interpretation of headcount forecasting.
No one’s planning your promotion — they’re planning your replacement.
Your salary isn’t a reward. It’s a cost centre.
And when it’s time to cut costs, the spreadsheet doesn’t care how long you’ve been loyal.
When the Layoff Feels Like Betrayal
I’ve seen it happen too many times.
Talented people. Hardworking people.
Blindsided by layoffs and reorgs — genuinely shocked, even hurt.
But it wasn’t betrayal.
It was a business decision.
The company did what it had to do.
The problem?
They had a Plan B. The employee didn’t.
Employment Isn’t the Opposite of Entrepreneurship
You don’t need to hate your job or storm out tomorrow.
But you do need to stop assuming it will protect you forever.
Security isn’t about employment.
It’s about leverage.
It’s about ownership.
Your boss likely has equity, investments, and multiple income streams.
You have direct deposit — and a lifestyle built around it.
That’s not stability.
That’s risk.
How to Build Your Plan B (Without Quitting Your Job)
This isn’t a call to burn bridges. It’s a call to build your own.
Start small.
Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait until you have a perfect brand or a catchy domain name.
Just create something. Sell something.
Start with a receipt.
Here’s what that might look like:
- Offer a small service to people in your network.
- Launch a digital product or tool that solves one simple problem.
- Freelance a few hours a week in a skill you already have.
Most importantly:
- Learn to build.
- Learn to market.
- Learn to own.
These are the real career skills.
Not just for founders — but for anyone who wants to protect their future.
Final Thought: You’re Allowed to Take Control
You don’t have to quit your job.
You just have to stop trusting it as your only plan.
Ownership doesn’t mean going all-in on a startup.
It means knowing that your life isn’t dependent on someone else’s budget.
Security doesn’t come from employment.
It comes from leverage, autonomy, and assets you control.
And those?
You can start building today.