The Jeff Pulver Blog: Know when to FIRE Yourself

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July 28, 2008

Know when to FIRE Yourself

When working for someone else, have you ever found yourself following the directions of "a boss" and thinking along the way how stupid the work you were asked to do really was? And did you think the person was asking you to do something to more or less just waste (your) time? And did you ever ask yourself, why it was YOU who had to do this work? This happened to me several times at the first job I had after graduating from college. This was the first time I realized I wished I knew how to "Fire My Boss."

It is at moments like this where one may want to ask themselves "how many times in my career would I knowingly do work which only an idiot would ask for? And the follow up, "How many times in the future will I be that Idiot asking someone to do such work for me?"

How do you stop this endless loop of madness? The only way I know how to change the situation is to FIRE your Boss! But usually this means you are the one leaving the company. Especially since we can't fire our bosses. But what we can do is work on "Firing ourselves" and in the process setting ourselves FREE.

And once I knew I had to set myself free, I made the decision to start my own business and be the one responsible for setting my daily course for my own road ahead.

As you explore and chart your future, understand that you owe it to yourself to define your own road map. When you see possible obstacles in your road map, do what you can do clear the path and open as many doors as possible.

This is your life. A time to take control of your destiny. Whenever needed, remember to take the time to regroup and take back control of YOUR life. And if it is your destiny to work for someone else, make sure the person and company you work for respect you for who you are and will be there to support you and guide your growth.

Along the way remember to follow your heart (and mind) and do what you need to put yourself in a situation where you feel comfortable about the work you are doing, about your future and your own personal road ahead.

And just be prepared to Fire a Boss (or two) along the way.

- - -
Tags: Entrepreneurship, leadership, Entrepreneur, Jeff Pulver

Please consider leaving a comment about a time in your life when you made your move. And feel free to find me on twitter and continue this conversation.

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Posted by jeff on July 28, 2008 07:40 AM | Permalink

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Posted by: wholesale jewelry at May 28, 2009 03:38 AM

What I find interesting is how divided the reactions were people - some thought, like you, that it was great to follow my heart and start my own business, and others looked alarmed that I would give up a secure job with a steady paycheck for something with no certain outcome.

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Posted by: online game at February 15, 2009 01:44 AM

I really get your message, but I'm on the other side of this in a way. I inherited an employee who has been in the company for 25+ yrs (I haver 10 years) who probably never should have been given the job he has. He was given to me because for my business to move to the next level, we need a massive improvement in the IT, and he isn't able to complete the most basic stuff on his own. But for years now I have fought to get him to see that he can't keep doing things the way he used to when it was a small school. Sure- you say- fire him! The culture of the place makes it hard to get rid of a guy with +25 yrs,a kid in college and one ready to start.

The part of your post I want to question is where you never seem to try and engage to see if there is really a reason the boss wants something that appears stupid done. By all means, if each of us make choices about if our position is what we want, and moving us where we want to go- that is great. Maybe I'm just touchy as I have been seen as the idiot boss.

Posted by: Thomas Waters at August 2, 2008 09:28 AM

I was in the same situation. However I went to a conference for document management. The week was slow, and one of the main speakers was not that great. However she said something I'll never forget. Since then, I realized I haven't found my passion. I made a change.

Posted by: Geekazine-Jeffrey Powers at July 29, 2008 11:10 PM

I've done this several times, the first was when I was contemplating making the military my career when my enlistment was up, it would have been easy, just keep my head down and coast, but I fired that guy! 21 is too young to know what you want to do for the next 16 years!!!

Posted by: Darren Daz Cox at July 29, 2008 10:55 PM

It goes without say that when you fire your boss, make sure you have the financial backing to do it. I've fired bosses in the past, and have been able to do so only because I was financially prepared. In the long run, firing my bosses lead to better and better job offers (I didnt' start a company, I just wanted to expand my career horizons). Just make sure that you can explain to the next employer (very comfortably) why you left the last company. For those of you leaving because you plan to start your own company: Yes, you may end up starting up the next great Fortune 500 company, but you may also end up working for someone else if your company does not take off as expected. Plan your exit carefully.

Posted by: Mimi at July 29, 2008 10:56 AM

I would say this, in a general sense - constantly evaluate your position in respect to your long term goals, never take anything for granted and never, ever stick to your plan simply out of plain inertia (or stubbornness!)

Posted by: Guy Rosen at July 29, 2008 10:51 AM

OMG Best article I read in quite a long time...It is already a classic...shared it with everyone I know!

Posted by: Sebastien at July 29, 2008 09:39 AM

Well said, Jeff.
I usually try to be more eloquent than that when commenting but you said it all pretty well!

Posted by: Scott Fox, Author of Internet Riches at July 29, 2008 02:44 AM

Jeff - wow. You have this great talent at taking nebulous emotions and thoughts out of my head and distilling them into short pieces like this. Thanks for the insight. Seeing your snippets o' wisdom keeps my head up and heart on target as I move forward into shaping my world for me. Keep it up!

Posted by: cliff wildman at July 28, 2008 02:26 PM

I've fired myself more than once...each time getting closer to the end goal. And I am looking forward to being my own boss on of these days. In the meantime, it's all about creating my own opportunities amidst the menial tasks. cheers~ !

Posted by: Kat at July 28, 2008 02:04 PM

Hi Jeff,

I am going to print out this post and pin it up to my bulletin board so I can remind myself of this every day.

Your post is very timely as I just "fired" myself from a job I have been in for 2.5 years in which I am not progressing as fast as I'd like and did not align with my values and lifestyle goals...

What do you think it is that makes people react one way or the other (I am beginning to notice different reactions along national lines - i.e. Canadian vs. American!)

--Amrita

Posted by: Amrita | tinku gallery at July 28, 2008 09:34 AM

And you need to be careful not to give yourself stupid work! Delegate, delegate, delegate, and don't take on anything not challenging.

Posted by: Hadassah at July 28, 2008 09:04 AM

July 28, 2008

Know when to FIRE Yourself

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