(Photo by Verun*)

This seems like an oxymoron, isn’t it. If you aren’t attached to your job, how can you be committed and perform your best at it? Well, I am speaking from my personal experience, and it has certainly worked well for me so far. Let me explain…

Following good advice on smart personal finance, I have managed to accumulate some savings for rainy days. In addition, I’d also make conscious efforts to live simply, and be debt-free. In this way, I never feel that I NEED to have this job. In fact, I can do without a job for some time without running into serious livelihood issues!

So one major contributing condition is that you have a certain level of financial stability, not necessarily financial freedom, but definitely you shouldn’t be begging on the streets in a few month should you lose your job tomorrow.

The central idea is that you don’t feel tied down to the job, just because you need to; to sustain your life, your family or a certain life style. If you do, then chances are you feel compelled to do whatever it takes to keep your job, and that means WHATEVER IT TAKES, knowingly, or unknowingly.

Think about it, are you consistently suppressed according to circumstances, just for job security? You may be reluctant to speak your mind at work afraid that an executive may not like it? You hesitate to voice your ideas because it may not ring well with your boss? You are worry about playing a wrong move, you want to play it safe. You don’t want to jeopardizes your job. You can’t afford to risk it. Ok, I know I’m exaggerating this, but I hope you get the drift.

Under such conditions, even if you started off as a highly inspired, self-motivated individual, your energy will wade, drain, and get sucked out over time. So what happens? Mediocrity seeps in. By playing it safe all the time; by following the crowd; by not being too outstanding to have a chance of being singled out. Over time, your sense of value, contribution wades… it becomes a job, simply a job. A necessary routine that you HAVE to do every workday. Commuting… meetings… overtime… Life becomes a drag.

Now, let’s flip it the other way round. You’re financially stable, you live well within your means, you have ample cash for rainy days. You feel confident of finding a job within months should you lose the current one. Even if you don’t, you have enough to see you through.

So what happens if you are free to express yourself, to do what you believe is best for the job, for your clients, your team mate, your boss. Even if it means that you have to make difficult decisions that apparently seems unpopular with people at work, you are more free to do what you believe is the right thing to do at that point in time.

Perhaps some of you may argue that if you have such freedom, then you will leave the job whenever you are unhappy with it. Certainly, some may choose so. However, I am assuming that you are those who believes in contributing and achieving something worthwhile in your life (or you wouldn’t have followed me till here). You don’t believe in living life in mediocrity. In such case, your freedom empowers you to fulfill your best potential, and pursue your dreams.

Just look at wealthy men like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs (and many others). They don’t have to work any more, and their net worth is more than enough to allow them a luxurious retirement multiple times. Yet they are working harder and longer hours than anyone else! Their wealth empowers them to pursue their dreams, beliefs.

Does that mean we cannot pursuing our dreams till we are very wealthy? No! As I mentioned earlier, by prudent spending, savings, living within your means, and a simple life style. This is definitely something achievable for everyone. You can too, start today!

This blog is about leading a balanced life focusing on career, relationships and money. You can read more about balancing your life here. These articles are written for you. If you find them useful, feel free to subscribe for regular updates as new articles are posted. It's FREE. :)