fbpx
| Works for Me |

“I signed a non-compete, so I can’t just open my own business”

“Instead of becoming your own boss, you can take this incredible opportunity to act like one”

I’ve been working at my first job for close to two years. My boss trained me in, but since then, I feel like I’m doing everything. He doesn’t invest in marketing, doesn’t know much about running a business, and shows up erratically. Meanwhile, I’m the one hustling to bring in new clients, following up, and working hard. Sometimes I wonder if this company would even exist without me.
The thing is, I signed a non-compete, so I can’t just open my own business or take a similar position somewhere else. I feel stuck, frustrated, and a bit used. Any advice?
Stuck and Sorry

 

Dear Stuck and Sorry,

You’re clearly ambitious, driven, and talented. That’s good.

Before you act on business fantasies and frustrations, though, let’s set some things straight.

As you said, this is your first job and you’ve been in the workforce for under two years. It sounds like you’re in a role that suits you well, and you’ve gained some serious skills and knowledge in that time. Congratulations!

Luckily, you’ve got that non-compete — because I’d say that the person it’s protecting most right now is yourself.

I hope you’re still reading, because I do have useful advice I think you’ll like: Instead of becoming your own boss, you can take this incredible opportunity to act like one.

Really. Pretend this actually was your own business. All the fun and none of the risk!

I get it — the business owner that you see just acts like the stereotypical boss and has an incredible employee (you) to do the heavy lifting. What you don’t see is the years of hard work that created the system that you got well trained into, on the business’s tab.  How about we pause your escape plan and use this time to become valuable by creating something valuable.

Instead of being frustrated that things aren’t being done the way you think they should, recognize that you clearly have complementary skills to your boss’s. Consider how the gap you’re seeing can actually be your opening to grow.

You think more money needs to be invested in marketing? Cool. What kind of marketing? What do you estimate the ROI will be? What kind of market research can you do to make sure it’s worthwhile? How much of your own money would you be willing to invest?

Take advantage of this period where someone else is footing the bills to come up with a real plan to succeed in your role. Spend the time to come up with a real marketing proposal, a new system, or a new collaboration backed by actual numbers, and present them to your boss (minus the resentment).

If you can appreciate his experienced perspective, he’ll be more likely to appreciate your fresh one.

There are lots of people who are experts at pointing out others’ mistakes, but never actually build anything useful of their own. Don’t waste your energy and ambition on figuring out what’s wrong with the way the business is being run; focus your efforts on what you can do to make it better.

Remember, excelling in a hired role is never a waste of your efforts on someone else’s business; it’s the most powerful and practical investment in your own skills and success (and your halachic obligation as a salaried employee). I challenge you to spend the next 30 days focusing on what you can create without a single complaint. You may find your question and frustration disappear, replaced by appreciation for your job and excitement toward your shared goals.

 

Shaina Keren is a career consultant who helps people discover and create careers that fit their best talents, interests, and life goals. She also advises businesses on hiring and keeping “the right people in the right seat,” in a win-win approach to growing businesses and careers.

 

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1070)

Oops! We could not locate your form.