Your tools shape you

I recently subscribed to a newsletter called "Building Knowledge" by architect/designer Mariliyn Moedinger.

Building Knowledge - 33 Contrarian Design Takes

In a recent issue issue, she offered this contrarian design take:

"Many buildings are the result of the software they’re designed in, rather than the skill of the designer wielding the software."

I thought this was particularly insightful, and not just in the architecture world.

If you're in the middle to upper middle class demographic, your primary "tool" for earning money, finding meaningful work, and learning new skills comes from a W2 job.

This is okay, but W2 jobs have their limits. And the bigger problem is you become myopically focused on finding new and better jobs that try to achieve your goals for you, even if that's not the right tool for the goal.

However, if you learn to use new tools, like the ability to find new 1099 gigs, negotiate, network, pitch yourself, research, etc., you'll open up many more lifestyle design options.

I've personally experienced that going 1099 shifts your thinking into "entrepreneur" mode. Your brain starts thinking of different goals and creative ways to get there.

For example, if you were just looking for a W2 job and wanted more free time, you may just ask for more PTO when you negotiate a job offer.

But if you're in entrepreneurial 1099 mode, you may figure out the best strategy is to get a quick client win out of the gate, which gives you enough credibility with the client to take a four day work week. They trust you to you get the work done, so you can now take more time off.

Going 1099 is not just about capturing more profit for yourself, it's about expanding your entrepreneurial skillset in a traditionally bureaucratic and uncreative industry.

So don't let the single tool you're comfortable with limit what you can do. Acquire more tools and use them to build the lifestyle you want.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.