For most of my life, I struggled with the concept of employment. Being an employee felt like a cage, and I carried a deep, negative association with the entire idea of working for someone else.
Looking back, there were three main reasons I felt this way:
- A Resistance to Authority
I’ve always questioned authority. What is authority, anyway? Why should I follow orders just because someone has a title like “manager”? Often, I doubted whether they truly knew what they were doing. - Feeling Like a Cog in the System
The thought of being a replaceable part in a giant machine never sat well with me. The common phrase “they can replace you anytime” only deepened my resistance. I’ve never seen myself as just another cog. - Disliking the Idea of Working for Money
I couldn’t understand why some types of work were valued more than others, and I struggled with the idea of working purely to pay the bills. I wanted to get paid for doing what I loved, not for being part of someone else’s system.
These three beliefs created a cycle of frustration and negativity around work. But recently, I’ve experienced a shift in my mindset, especially when it comes to the idea of “working for money.”
Breaking Free: Work Isn’t Just About Money
One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was realizing that my income isn’t tied to my employer—it’s tied to my choices.
For a long time, I thought of employment as a direct exchange: my time and skills for their paycheck. But that belief kept me feeling trapped.
Then I asked myself, What if I could get paid just to exist?
To me, getting paid to exist means being my highest self. When I align with my higher self—my most authentic, creative, and evolved version—I naturally attract opportunities and abundance.
This realization required me to release the belief that my income was solely dependent on my employer. Instead, I began to see my job as just one of the infinite possibilities I could choose.
This shift gave me freedom. My income isn’t determined by anyone else; it’s driven by my decisions. If I want more income, I can choose differently.
Turning Work Into a Platform for Growth
Another perspective that helped me was seeing my job as a chance to learn and grow.
If I approach work as a way to become a master at something, then my job becomes more than a paycheck. It becomes a full scholarship for life.
By reframing my work as an investment in myself, I realized I was getting paid to learn. That’s a privilege I hadn’t appreciated before.
Getting Paid to Be Myself
I also decided that, no matter where I am, I want to bring my best self to the table. When I show up authentically—when I give my full energy, ideas, and personality—I’m essentially getting paid to be me.
This shift in mindset brought me closer to my ultimate dream: getting paid to exist.
Employment as Collaboration, Not Submission
One of the most liberating beliefs I’ve adopted is this: employment is a collaboration, not submission.
I used to think of work as me trying to prove myself to an employer. But now, I see it as a partnership.
When I approach a job, I ask myself:
- Is this employer a good match for my skills and values?
- What can we build together?
- How can I bring more value to this collaboration?
This perspective reminds me that my mood, energy, and attitude impact my workplace as much as it impacts me. I’m not just “fitting into” a system—I’m actively shaping it.
Freedom Through Employment
With these shifts in perspective, I’ve freed myself from the traditional idea of employment.
I no longer see myself as just an employee. I see myself as a process—someone who is constantly evolving.
The jobs I take on are simply decisions I make to grow and express my best self. Every role becomes an opportunity for co-creation, a chance to sync up with others and leave an impact.
Now, I’m not just making an impact through my writing or videos—I’m making an impact wherever I go.
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve ever struggled with the concept of employment, I hope my journey offers you some inspiration.
Releasing old beliefs about authority, money, and being replaceable has helped me find freedom in work. By shifting my mindset, I’ve turned my job into a platform for growth, collaboration, and self-expression.
Ultimately, work isn’t just about earning a living. It’s about creating, learning, and evolving. And that’s something we all deserve to experience.