Don’t Be A Cog In The Machine

Image generated with OpenAI by the author

  Don't be a cog in the machine.

  We live our adult lives working for others. A small part of a whole, working tasks that benefit a larger organization. Some are small, like tiny cogs on the machine; others are larger for the bigger movements, but in the end… still cogs.

  Schools prepare us to be one of the cogs. Normalization of this makes it feel like the safe and comfortable path to follow.

  If only it were the best path.

  Some only have the agency to be a cog in the machine. That's 100% okay, as long as they find purpose in what they do.

  I'm not one of them.

  The idea that I'm a small part of a large machine designed to build someone else's dreams is a pain point. That pain point has become a motivational factor driving me away from my day job. I want to put my time and energy into building my dream.

  In an episode of "Psych" that comically lines up with this idea of being a cog in the machine, a man who leads a similar life to the secondary lead, Gus, was murdered. These similarities make Gus feel that he's accomplished little in his life of meaning. The episode in question is "Cog Blocked".

  My wife commented on this episode, striking a chord with me.

  She said how she identified with Gus in the episode. The feeling of being a cog in the machine and how it consumes your life. Her corporate job had constant pressure to be more productive in less time. Tracking every minute to micromanagement hell.

  It wasn't good.

  My wife now runs a small business and lives a more fulfilling life.

  Why is it that everyone in our lives pushes for school and finding a career in a company?

  In their frame of reference, it makes sense. When organized schooling was brought into practice, it was about the same time the Industrial Revolution happened. Some similarities between school and factory work can't be denied.

  At school, you're on a standardized curriculum, rigid bell schedules, and age-segregated classes that push obedience. There is a psychological reason that age-segregation matters here. If others in your age group obey, then you are more likely to obey also. Factories employ the same ideals: you're trained on specific tasks, adhere to rigid bell schedules, and you must be well-behaved employees.

It's almost like schools were designed to manufacture cogs for the corporate machine.

  When generations have been raised in this environment, it's natural for everyone to tell you to follow the same path. That's how they managed to survive. That's why parents preach that going to college will allow you to be successful in life.

  It's like being a puppet to society. You're unaware of the control it has over you. Once you realize what's happening, that is when escape is needed.

  How do we escape?

Be Aware

  For starters, being aware is the first step. You're reading this article, so you're already ahead of the majority. Once you see that you're in the matrix, you can learn how to escape.

Self-Assessment

  Clarify your "Why". What are the reasons you want to leave your job? It could be for freedom, passion, income potential, etc.

  Look at your current skills, can they be used to build something outside your current job? Think about the problems you can solve with your skillset. Are there holes in your knowledge you need to fill?

  These are the things that will get you started.

  It's okay if you don't know what direction to take yet. That just means you need to experiment and learn. In this process, you'll find your way. Feeling lost is normal. You will fail at first, but failure is how we learn. Choose a direction and go. You can always course correct as you gather more knowledge.

Vision

  Create your vision of the future you want. You don't need all the specifics, you need something that will help give you a general direction.

  Your vision will change over time as you build skills and see your potential grow. Think of it as fluid and ever-changing.

Mindset Shift

  Now that you're aware that you don't have to be a cog in the machine. That means you need to start thinking like an owner.

  Prepare for the unexpected. Uncertainty is the only guarantee when you go down this path. There will be naysayers who will try to pull you back.

  Build your discipline…

  When you don't have someone telling you what to do and when to do it, you'll need discipline to keep you on track. A lack of discipline will bring failure.

Build Skills

  Most of us will not have all the skills needed to build the perfect business from the start.

  Your self-assessment may have shown you the need to learn other skills. In other cases, you may want to do something completely different. Either way, you will be learning new skills.

  While you build, you will find more holes in your knowledge. It's fine not to know everything; this is expected. We learn as we take action. It's better to learn this way, the knowledge will stay with you longer.

  Skill building is a process that will never end for us as we move further into this realm. It's important to move forward and learn along the way.

Financial Cushion

  Depending on where you are in life, this may or may not apply to you.

  I still work at my corporate job, only while I build my dream.

  You don't have to up and quit; a slow transition is fine, assuming you're still taking action. There is something to be said about adding discomfort to help speed up the process. That can be in the form of pushing yourself more, limiting your home spending budget, etc.

  If you have enough saved to up and leave for your dreams, do what you feel is right for you. In most cases, it's suggested to have at least six months of expenses saved before making big changes like that.

  Some might be lucky enough to realize that being a cog isn't what they want at an early stage in life; still living with mom and dad, which will allow them to go full-time without worrying about basic life expenses.

  Regardless of where you start in the process, you'll get an idea of when you can quit your corporate job as you grow.

  Some people find safety and security in being a cog. Honestly, cogs are needed for any company, you need workers to grow.

  I only question the need now that AI is a reality. How long will many of these jobs be relevant as AI advances?

  Pay attention to what's happening in your industry. The employee who can learn new skills gains the ability to pivot.

  Don't be a cog in the machine. Learn something new. Build a side gig that you can turn into a business. Think for yourself.

  That's what I'm doing.