In the Future, Everyone Will Become an Entrepreneur

Whats an effective way to boil a frog — to throw it in boiling water or to throw it into cold water until it boils? I feel what we’re facing today around the world is in the same way that it is better to boil a frog using cold water until the water starts to boil. If you hadn’t guessed it by now, we’re the frog and it will take about 10-15 more years for the water to boil.

• Only 58% of survey participants were employed while 8% are unemployed and still looking for a job. Meanwhile, 34% are unemployed and not looking.
• Those that found jobs were accepting part-time jobs that paid a lot less.
• Most believe the economic conditions will become worse.
• 58% believe the day will never come when young people will be able to afford college again. (read below)
• 38% of respondents have less savings now than they did before the great recession.
• Most believe that the cause of their unemployment came from competition and cheap labor from other countries.
• The real percentage of unemployed hovers around 23%
• The American middle class is disappearing.

Speaking of college – I have always said this and I will say it again but this time in writing — “college is a scam” but now this scam might cost Americans around 300K in 10 years! With the current rate of unemployment and the cost of living, our education system is no where near that of finland and South Korea. Why the huge cost? One word “inflation.” At 6% inflation per year, you can guess how much everything will cost in 10 years time.

So yes, this is all doom & gloom but not everyone will suffer. In every recession there are lots of winners. Money doesn’t just disappear, it just exchanges hands. Wealth doesn’t just disappear either, it just gets transferred to those willing to adapt to their current environments and circumstances. Want an example of adapting to circumstances? Look at the folks who are creating the new sharing economy and see for yourself.

This is precisely why I believe that everyone will be forced to become an Entrepreneur in the future to survive. In NYC where I live, there are thousands of yellow cab drivers. Do you think the majority of these cab drivers would rather drive around 10-12 hours per day in a claustrophobic lethargic environment rather than work in a big office in a corporate environment? No, they are forced to become self-employed or gas station owners, operators in the same way that the 34% of the respondents in the survey believe they will not find a job again and stopped looking long time ago. The problem is, no one will hire them for these positions so they are forced to work for themselves and often do a lot better as a result.

The fact is, we’re in a permanent recession and we’re all frogs in a pot waiting to boil. However, unlike the poor frog who hasn’t any clue about his faith, we’re a different animal far capable of something more powerful. We’re capable of thought – the most powerful tool humans have but something we rarely use and if we do use it, it is not towards advancement but that of worry and unnecessary fear. Perhaps it is time to evolve and become aware of our ailing.

Everyone likes to believe that self-employment or becoming an Entrepreneur is a risky endeavor but I strongly believe that a job is far riskier – it always has been and today, it is even more risky than ever. As I write this, billions of dollars in paper currency are being printed on a daily basis (to debase our world currencies), rampant inflation is on the rise and the world is becoming more volatile. Since you’re a frog and the water is boiling, this is your time to start asking the real hard questions. You see-the more safety we cling to, the harder life becomes.

• Everyone is an expert at something – what do you do well and how can you solve other peoples problems with what you know?
• As an example, Fivver.com is a web site full of experts willing to do anything for $5.00.
• Brick & Morter stores are still a great opportunity but the internet is where its at. Find a product that people are looking to purchase from a web site such as wholesalecentral.com and start selling. Advertise with Google Adwords to get visitors to your store and have sales the same day.
• Sell on eBay and Craigslist.
• Start blogging and make money as a blogger.