9 to 5 Job OR Work for Yourself?

Yesterday I was watching TechLead’s YouTube channel comparing the difference between working a 9 to 5 job in big companies vs. working for yourself, one of his opinions catch my attention (very impressive!). He mentioned that in the big companies many people’s daily work is to focus on the things that will lead to short-term results and thus lead to good work performance/KPI. In this case, many people are very short-sighted and only focus on short-term gain, things like crafting the perfect email and send to everyone to show what the achievements have been done. Well, showing off work achievements is not wrong, and everyone has the pressure to “perform” in big companies, especially in front of the management. This type of working style may lead to a higher bonus, but may not be the real valuable impact on the company. And from a self-development perspective, the person’s capacity may not be improved.

On the other hand, if you work for yourself, they would be more meaning and purpose rather than please the boss and get the bonus. If you take the courage and chance to star-up your own business or become a freelancer, you probably have thought about the goal or purpose well (at least that is something you love to do).

What’s the meaning of work? I think it is to do something valuable and good to society and help make the world a better place to be. If not, it is just like working just for money and make a living, and it would be a boring and hopeless 50 years' time spent. So my conclusion is whether it is a 9 to 5 or freelancer job, not just focus on the short-term. Do something valuable in the long-term, it would bring so much more: happiness, motivation, and ambition.