011 | From 9-5 to Gig Work

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📓 Gigs as the New Work

As a kid, I had this idea of work that I wanted to avoid: the 9 to 5.

I saw these corporate structures put stress on my parents (which I later understood to be desired). Busy. That's what American culture stands for. To be busy means to be American. I see this today in my networking events when I ask everyone about their day at the beginning of the call. I see this with my parents past retirement age, holding onto work as their purpose.

I despised this vision of life entirely (especially after seeing a new way of life as an exchange student in France), aching for a way out anywhere else than this perpetually ‘busy’ country. Life is meant to be enjoyed, right?

This question is one we may soon be forced into.

Why?

Well according to Silicon Valley investor Naval Ravikant (back from a 2019 interview with Joe Rogan), modern work will soon look more like the gig economy.

So what does that mean and where does that take us?

🌤️ Mainstream Adoption

At its core, the gig economy isn’t new. Musicians, writers, and artists have worked on gigs for centuries. What’s changed is the scale. Thanks to platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Uber, AirBnB, DoorDash, as well as broader shifts in technology, the gig economy has gone mainstream, allowing millions of people across all industries to find work on demand.

Naval Ravikant predicts that in the next 50 years, almost everyone will be working for themselves.

He sees this as a direct result of the information age, where technology and communication tools have made it easier for individuals to work independently and thrive outside traditional corporate structures.

But Ravikant’s prediction isn’t just about quitting your job and freelancing. It’s about a deeper transformation in how we think about work itself.

🏭 From Factories to Freelancers

We are entering the 5th industrial revolution.

But for most of human history, we worked in small, independent units—like hunter-gatherers in tribes.

Everyone contributed in their own way, but no one was stuck in rigid, hierarchical structures. Only during the (3rd) agricultural and (4th) industrial ages did work become hierarchical, with bosses and strict schedules.

But today, technology is dismantling those models.

Companies no longer need thousands of employees under one roof to get things done. Remote work, automation, and digital platforms are making it easier to work outside of traditional corporate settings. This reduction in transaction costs, as Ravikant puts it, means that firms are “atomizing”.

Niche startups are sprouting up to solve niche problems, and individuals can jump in and out of projects as needed—no long-term contracts or 40-hour work weeks required.

And that’s where the gig economy shines.

🚗 Why the Gig Economy Works

The gig economy offers:

• Freedom

• Flexibility

• Ownership

• Diversification

There is also a psychological shift happening.

More people are beginning to question the old model—not necessarily voluntarily. Rather, it is those who see the potential of the gig economy and who work on it today who will survive the changing nature of work.

As automation continues to replace routine tasks and jobs, more people will be hired not by their specialization but due to their human creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. The kind of work that is hard to automate.

Think about Hollywood.

Movies are made by assembling teams of freelancers—writers, directors, costume designers, editors—who come together for a project and then disband. Ravikant suggests this model will become more common across industries. High-quality work will be delivered on a project basis, with individuals being paid promptly and having the freedom to take time off between gigs.

Another thing the gig economy offers:

• Satisfaction

At least, that's the hope. People will be free to focus on what excites them most.

Yet, what about the increasing Antiwork movement? Some people want to work just enough for significant leisure time, saying that work is not their purpose.

🐊 The Challenges

Of course, it’s not all roses.

Working in the gig economy can be tough.

No job security. No healthcare (in the US). And retirement plans keep pushing back.

To top it off-no consistency of income. It's stressful.

This is where the gig economy demands a different mindset. Success here isn’t about climbing the corporate ladder. To myself, I say it's not like leveling up in Duolingo.

In this space, we are forced to become our own boss, learn sales and marketing skills, learn how to delegate and when to outsource, and stay positive during uncertain times.

🏔️ Strategies to Thrive

There are 3 ways to prepare for this new age of work:

1. Diversify skills

2. Build a personal brand

3. Create multiple income streams

🛣️ What Lies Ahead

As the gig economy continues to expand, it will change not just how we work but how we think about careers and job security. The idea of a lifelong job at one company may be fading, but in its place, we have the potential for a more dynamic, creative, and fulfilling work life—one where we truly own our time and skills.

How can you prepare?

⚡️ Updates

I'm on a mission to connect 100 unique individuals in 1:1 breakout rooms through online, speed networking. I call them: Connection Power-Hours. So far, we're at 58 unique persons!

These events have become so popular that we must limit the number of individuals! For now, every joiner in the next 5 sessions must be new and not have been to a previous session.

Learn more on our website and subscribe to our event list here—all times in EST.

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