I was a civil engineer for a decade and I quit

Summary

In this reflective video, the speaker shares their journey of moving from a 10-year engineering career to self-employment. They describe the pivotal moment in 2016 when they were laid off, which shattered their belief in job security and sparked a shift in mindset. The speaker explores the risks of both staying in a corporate job and transitioning to self-employment, ultimately embracing the latter for greater control and freedom. The video encourages viewers to evaluate their own motivations and consider whether their current career brings fulfillment or if change could lead to greater happiness and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 A major life change often stems from a single moment that shifts your perspective or belief, altering the course of your future.
• 😀 The speaker's turning point came in 2016 when they were laid off, shattering the illusion of corporate job security and sparking a desire for control over their own destiny.
• 😀 Even though the layoff in 2016 shifted the speaker's mindset, it took six more years to finally leave their engineering career, showcasing that personal transformations can take time.
• 😀 Many people stay in unsatisfying jobs due to the denial of their unhappiness and the false belief that everyone hates their job, which becomes a barrier to making a change.
• 😀 The speaker realized that corporate jobs are not as secure as commonly believed, with layoffs and furloughs being a reminder that relying on an employer can be risky.
• 😀 Entrepreneurship is often perceived as risky, but the speaker argues that it offers more control over one's destiny, making it a less risky option compared to traditional jobs.
• 😀 Having a 9-to-5 job can be seen as risky because employees have no control over when layoffs or changes in their work environment may occur.
• 😀 The decision to leave a secure job for self-employment isn't about choosing between security and risk, but about choosing between different types of risks.
• 😀 The speaker's personal journey highlights that freedom, fulfillment, and control over one's future are more important than the perceived security of a corporate career.
• 😀 Reflection on one's intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation is essential when evaluating career satisfaction and deciding if staying in a job is worth the personal cost.
• 😀 Viewers are encouraged to assess whether their current career aligns with their personal values and goals and to consider alternatives that could offer more freedom and happiness.

Q & A

What pivotal moment in the speaker's life led to a shift in their career mindset?

The pivotal moment for the speaker was when they were laid off in 2016. This event shattered their illusion of a secure corporate career and triggered a mindset shift towards desiring more control over their future.

What belief did the speaker hold about corporate jobs before being laid off?

Before being laid off, the speaker believed that corporate jobs provided a safe and secure path for long-term stability. However, the layoff made them question this assumption.

What did the speaker realize after being laid off in 2016?

After being laid off, the speaker realized that a corporate job is not as secure as it seems, and they wanted to take control of their own destiny, exploring new career paths outside of corporate life.

What is 'lifestyle creep,' and how does it relate to the speaker's experience?

Lifestyle creep refers to the gradual increase in spending as one's income grows. The speaker mentions it in the context of their career as an engineer, where they had become accustomed to a certain lifestyle that they later had to untangle when transitioning out of their corporate job.

Why does the speaker consider having a 9-to-5 job risky?

The speaker considers having a 9-to-5 job risky because one's livelihood is dependent on an employer, over which they have little control. Events like layoffs or furloughs can drastically impact financial security, making the corporate job less secure than it appears.

What alternative risk did the speaker embrace after leaving their corporate career?

The speaker embraced the risk of becoming self-employed, recognizing that although entrepreneurship is risky, it offers greater freedom and control over their future, which they valued more than the security of a corporate job.

What did the speaker mean by the term 'extrinsic motivation'?

Extrinsic motivation refers to being driven by external factors such as avoiding trouble, maintaining appearances, or pleasing others. The speaker contrasts this with intrinsic motivation, where someone is driven by passion and fulfillment from their work.

How did the speaker suggest people should evaluate their current careers?

The speaker encourages individuals to reflect on whether they are intrinsically motivated by passion and fulfillment or if they are simply staying in their jobs out of fear of change, seeking security, or following societal expectations.

What is the central message of the speaker's video?

The central message of the video is about rethinking the traditional career path and recognizing the risks and rewards of both corporate jobs and entrepreneurship. The speaker advocates for taking control of one’s own destiny and seeking work that brings greater fulfillment and freedom.

How does the speaker describe the decision-making process between staying in a corporate job or pursuing self-employment?

The speaker describes it not as a choice between security and risk but as a decision between different types of risks. They chose to embrace the risk of self-employment for the freedom and control it offers, rather than remaining in a corporate job where their future was out of their hands.