<div class="text-justify">

I don't really know anyone who would turn down a little extra  money in their lives, if given the opportunity. Sure, it might not buy us a happier existence, but it can reduce a little worry around how to cover the utility bills, or pay the mortgage. However, unless the money falls from the sky, there is always some kind of tradeoff - a cost - to be paid.

![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/23tmdHf6RmnWdAUHYvVzkwsXJ26FzvpbVr5CMdLQChi6myBTCcVBcxxKeQ4nKkP4EcXv4.png)


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/242sGAFfA3s6ENmYRwBgLjXS2he4QxdsvxqjQETwGwR85uHuY9Ms3FSHMzi23L3MDaqEV.png)

This was a headline I was reading from an article in an [*Australian trash*](https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/secret-weapon-to-get-14000-extra-per-year/news-story/a4cbf8d00f34b72fffe58921feae8411) online news service. However, I agree with it for the most part, because the secret weapon is essentially,

>Work.

The listed ways to increase income is:

- Get paid more in current position
- Get a promotion
- Change jobs or companies
- Get a second job

The stated "14,000 extra" was from the third bullet, changing companies. This was based on the current average in Australia and that changing jobs averages around a 15% pay increase. However, this is going to *heavily* depend on what kind of job one has, the track record in that job and the scarcity. Currently in Australia, there is quite full employment in many industries, so changing a job *can be* easier, but track record matters too. For instance, if a persona has been changing positions a lot, this is a *red flag* for an employer, because they are going to have to offer them more to get them in, and then risk them leaving for someone who offers a bit more again in the future. 

However, because this one doesn't necessarily mean *more work,* it is a common option these days. Getting paid more in the current role means negotiating with the boss in order to either get a raise, or make make improvements or add some responsibilities to justify an increase. This normally means more work of some kind. 

Similarly, getting a promotion requires more work again, because it means being able to be regarded for the position. This generally requires being standout in the current role, and being able to show interest in and aptitude for the promoted role. All of this takes time to build and it might not seem "worth it" to many for a promotion, but that isn't necessarily the case, because it is a *career building* pathway. Prove yourself in one role, show aptitude in the next, rinse and repeat. When you hear those stories of the CEO who started as the cleaner, this is how they did it. 

The last is by far the *easiest* way to get an income increase, but probably the *hardest* when it comes to actually doing it. Many people, especially those who consider themselves trained professionals, are not keen to get a second job, which generally doesn't ay for their specialization. If you are a technical consultant, stacking shelves at the supermarket might feel like a kick in the reputations, but the money is just money when you spend it - it doesn't care how you got it. However, getting over the hurdle of how we feel about ourselves and how we feel others will see us, can be a huge challenge. 

As this one is the easiest to do, I should also mention that these days, with the shortfall in skilled labor, there are increased possibilities to do part-time gig work on the side of a main job. However, this also requires having provable experience and takes a fair bit of management to set up. On top of that, if a small business is required to freelance, it means there is also setup and management costs.

As I see it, without *doing the work,* there are very few ways to consistently get additional income. Even writing on Hive takes work and at least from my experience, in order to build consistency in reward, it takes a massive amount of effort. People can look at the outcomes today and not see what it has taken to get here for me, but it is much like that "gig economy" path -  proven experience. The way I have approached writing on Hive is not only for my enjoyment, even though I love it. It is also through presenting my own experience and skills, through a lens that only I can provide. This has meant building my own style on Hive that is uniquely mine, and delivering it consistently. And hopefully in the combination of these factors, there is value flow both ways. And I think that this is what people need to consider when looking to increase their personal income anywhere.

>What value do I bring to the table?

Because that is what you have to trade with and, that is what is going to dictate your worth. Being a doctor doesn't get you paid more when stacking a shelf with cans, because it has a "salary cap" on the activity. However, stacking a shelf isn't difficult work, so it means that someone can get paid for their time to do a task that needs doing, without having to cope with the stress. In fact, a second job could be considered a *stress management* process for many people - relative mindless and repetitive work, where no one is going to lose their lives if a mistake is made. 

However, skills need to be proven, like if you want a raise in your current position or a promotion. It is the same in the gig economy, where if a band is looking for a session drummer, they are still going to audition drummers, or hire based on *known* reputation. This means that reputation does matter for a *walk-in* position, and demonstrated skills are needed for a *walk-up* position. *And,* they need to have an open place.

Too many people want to be able to get into a position of *workless wealth* without doing any work to actually get there. It is highly unlikely. However, with careful planning, a work ethic and a little luck, it might be able to earn a position of future workless wealth, by managing time and earning potential, so that investment capital is increased and invested. It might take decades to build enough to retire, but that might be decades before official retirement age. Retiring at 57 is far more valuable than 67. And retiring at 52, is far better again.

But, for many people and especially the ones who will benefit most (the young), it is too far away to think about the value of retiring early, and there are too many distractions and feelings that get in the way of making it happen. Some will do the work though. 

>But only some.

Wealth without work  - what are the chances?

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]


</div>



Posted Using [InLeo Alpha](https://inleo.io/@tarazkp/wealth-without-work)