Agent Smith wants me back in 9-to-5 Matrix

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Hey guys,

Just got a full-time job offer. Nothing spectacular, but it's a six-months contract, with the possibility to get one year after that, and then to negotiate the terms (salary and bonuses) again.

Now, I feel like that guy, I can't recall his name, who betrays Neo in Matrix. I'm sitting with my own Agent Smith from the HR department. Yet, there's a huge difference. If I remember correctly, the guy in the movie had an option to forget the whole thing. I don't have such a luxury. I'm gonna get back to an office with a strong memory of my independent days. I'm talking about freedom, that's pretty much obvious.

To make the long story short. I'm very likely to say no. Yet, the very fact that I'm even considering this offer here with you is a huge disappointment for me. This is the sign that I'm not doing great. If I'm to be successful as planned, I would have said to Mr. Smith, thank you but no thank you, I'm doing just fine. I don't regret leaving the 9-to-5 Matrix in the first place. It seems that's not entirely true.

Every now and then, I think about that famous Morpheus pill scene, also from Matrix. Remember? I took the one for independence and now, now I don't know what to do.

You don't have to be a Matrix fan to comment on this thread, lol. Yet, I would really like to hear some opinions here.

Thx.
#9to5 #agent #back #matrix #smith
  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Originally Posted by pinkknight View Post

    Hey guys,

    Just got a full-time job offer. Nothing spectacular, but it's a six-months contract, with the possibility to get one year after that, and then to negotiate the terms (salary and bonuses) again.

    Now, I feel like that guy, I can't recall his name, who betrays Neo in Matrix. I'm sitting with my own Agent Smith from the HR department. Yet, there's a huge difference. If I remember correctly, the guy in the movie had an option to forget the whole thing. I don't have such a luxury. I'm gonna get back to an office with a strong memory of my independent days. I'm talking about freedom, that's pretty much obvious.

    To make the long story short. I'm very likely to say no. Yet, the very fact that I'm even considering this offer here with you is a huge disappointment for me. This is the sign that I'm not doing great. If I'm to be successful as planned, I would have said to Mr. Smith, thank you but no thank you, I'm doing just fine. I don't regret leaving the 9-to-5 Matrix in the first place. It seems that's not entirely true.

    Every now and then, I think about that famous Morpheus pill scene, also from Matrix. Remember? I took the one for independence and now, now I don't know what to do.

    You don't have to be a Matrix fan to comment on this thread, lol. Yet, I would really like to hear some opinions here.

    Thx.
    Mate do all of us a big flavor can you just re write the whole thing again !! so it make sense

    You have stuff in there that is non relevant

    Jason
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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    Why do people act like 9 to 5 jobs are the worst thing in the world?

    If it puts you in a better position, take it. If not, don't.

    No need to ask strangers on a forum about it... Especially in the form of a weird story which is much to similar to the other hired 'members' that try to write witty stories.
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    • Profile picture of the author kilgore
      Originally Posted by Gambino View Post

      Why do people act like 9 to 5 jobs are the worst thing in the world?

      If it puts you in a better position, take it. If not, don't.

      No need to ask strangers on a forum about it... Especially in the form of a weird story which is much to similar to the other hired 'members' that try to write witty stories.
      Yes, thank you.

      I don't see why we have to fetishize self-employment and denigrate regular jobs. In fact, I would never, ever have been able to start my own business without the fifteen years of experience that I gained working for other people.

      As Gambino says, if you think taking the job is a good move for you, do it. If not, don't do it. It really is that simple.

      And as a side note to the moderators, why did this post even make it through? This is life-coaching, Ann Landers type of stuff. Isn't this supposed to be an internet marketing forum?
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  • Profile picture of the author cjsparacino123
    i struggle with the same thing, be the broke entrepreneur, or the comfortable employee. this shit is no joke, if you dont have something that is absolutely unique that spreads viraly with word of mouth, you're gonna have a bad time.

    i think ill take the experience of at least going for my dreams to the grave, and i always know that if i need something i'll just go get it, women, money, a job, i like that hustler attitude. but this shit aint really working out

    i get this strange feeling like you should reject the job, like something bigger and more fulfilling is coming to you, or you are already doing it
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by cjsparacino123 View Post

      i struggle with the same thing, be the broke entrepreneur, or the comfortable employee. this shit is no joke, if you dont have something that is absolutely unique that spreads viraly with word of mouth, you're gonna have a bad time.

      i think ill take the experience of at least going for my dreams to the grave, and i always know that if i need something i'll just go get it, women, money, a job, i like that hustler attitude. but this shit aint really working out

      i get this strange feeling like you should reject the job, like something bigger and more fulfilling is coming to you, or you are already doing it
      Thank you. It's no joke at all. I can't be like this, I don't care, I'm moving on, everything will be just fine, because it isn't. I'm not being independent just to feel good about it, but actually to earn more. So, when the things aren't working out as I expect them, and at the same time you get an offer such as this, you ask yourself, maybe this is the sign to end up my little independent "experiment." Then, there's this other voice telling me that I should go on, because this a "test," I should pass in order to become truly successful. I really don't know.
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  • Profile picture of the author ricky8000xg
    The Matrix was one of the best movies, ever! And I like how you compared it and Smith to a job and "HR", but don't expect everyone to get it though!
    Best advice I can give is to take the job to makes ends meet and do marketing on the side, you'll still have weekends, mornings and evenings to grow your side-business up to the point where it replaces the job.
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    • Profile picture of the author PinkStar
      Originally Posted by ricky8000xg View Post

      Best advice I can give is to take the job to makes ends meet and do marketing on the side, you'll still have weekends, mornings and evenings to grow your side-business up to the point where it replaces the job.
      I agree.
      If you're on the fence, then take the job. You can always quit if your sidegig starts to pay off and it would make sense to work fulltime with it.
      Until then, stop whining about having to work for a living - be grateful that you have options.
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      Move it along folks, nothing to see here
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    • Profile picture of the author boblyle
      Originally Posted by ricky8000xg View Post

      The Matrix was one of the best movies, ever! And I like how you compared it and Smith to a job and "HR", but don't expect everyone to get it though!
      Best advice I can give is to take the job to makes ends meet and do marketing on the side, you'll still have weekends, mornings and evenings to grow your side-business up to the point where it replaces the job.
      I have to agree here but with apprehension. At the end of the movie Neo gets shot multiple times, his audience thinks it's over for him but what does he do? He gets back up stronger than ever. Now he can actually stop the bullets before they even touch him.

      Are you ready to give up completely or just regain your strength and come up fighting?

      Are you Mr Anderson? Or is your name ....NEO?
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      • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
        Originally Posted by boblyle View Post

        I have to agree here but with apprehension. At the end of the movie Neo gets shot multiple times, his audience thinks it's over for him but what does he do? He gets back up stronger than ever. Now he can actually stop the bullets before they even touch him.

        Are you ready to give up completely or just regain your strength and come up fighting?

        Are you Mr Anderson? Or is your name ....NEO?

        Great, lol

        I just can't remember what was the name of that who betrayed Neo by negotiating "surrender" with the Agent in that restaurant. Guess, I have to hit the IMDB. Cheers!
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by ricky8000xg View Post

      The Matrix was one of the best movies, ever! And I like how you compared it and Smith to a job and "HR", but don't expect everyone to get it though!
      Best advice I can give is to take the job to makes ends meet and do marketing on the side, you'll still have weekends, mornings and evenings to grow your side-business up to the point where it replaces the job.
      Thank you

      That was also my thought, but you know what happened? I got scared. Really! I can do a full-time job and be independent as much as like at night and over weekends. I'm afraid of the power of full-time Dark Side, lol. That's a true test how serious you are, I guess. I must have seen too many movies, lol. Like burn all the bridges, leave yourself with no options, and then, only then, you will succeed as an independent. Yeah, only in the movies. Appreciated!!
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  • Profile picture of the author TeaCozy
    Is it just me or does this post go completely over your head?

    If I read between the matrix lines, you've got a new job, you'd rather be doing IM and you what advice from us whether you should pack it in and join Neo?

    Have I got it right?
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  • Profile picture of the author TonyAndTanya
    If your blog titles are as catchy as this post title, you should stick at it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Yet, the very fact that I'm even considering this offer here with you is a huge disappointment for me. This is the sign that I'm not doing great. If I'm to be successful as planned, I would have said to Mr. Smith, thank you but no thank you, I'm doing just fine. I don't regret leaving the 9-to-5 Matrix in the first place. It seems that's not entirely true.
    In a later post in this thread - you defined it a bit more....but I think the paragraph above is revealing.

    A sign you are "not doing great" is simple - either you are earning enough money to maintain or you aren't. Plans to be successful might also be called a "dream" - no one plans to be unsuccessful.

    You are happy you "took the chance" and you want to be independent of other people's schedules....but you aren't there yet. You don't have to regret leaving the 9-5 workplace to miss the regular salary, etc that is part of it.

    Things will not always go as planned and you can't control outside forces. Being flexible is a good thing.

    My advice?

    Forget the "what it looks like" issue. The "appearance" of success means nothing if the money isn't coming in. Many IMers don't get that - they posture and put down jobs ...and live in Mom's basement or end up there.

    Do what is practical for YOU at this point. The internet isn't going away - you can build up your independent biz part time - taking the job gives some breathing room to re-assess your plans if needed. If you don't need the money, maybe you don't want the job. Only you know.

    If you aren't doing as well as you want - and didn't at least consider this offer....THEN I would think you're a fool. Having options is a good thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
    What Kay said, above...

    But - which is it?

    Originally Posted by pinkknight View Post

    Just got a full-time job offer. Nothing spectacular, but it's a six-months contract, with the possibility to get one year after that, and then to negotiate the terms (salary and bonuses) again.
    A job offer, or a contract?

    There's a world of difference. If it's just an offer of six months employment, or a "trial period", see if you can negotiate to make it a contract. Tell them to keep their benefits package and hourly rate and negotiate a flat fee with periodic payments due bi-weekly or monthly. As a contractor, you'll be responsible for your own health benefits, taxes, etc. so make sure you quote the job accordingly.

    Negotiate on deliverables and schedule of delivery, rather than how many hours per week.

    Now instead of taking a full-time job offer, you're taking on another project to add to your mix of work. You're adding a "freelancer" task to your calendar for the next six months.
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  • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
    Originally Posted by cjsparacino123 View Post

    i struggle with the same thing, be the broke entrepreneur, or the comfortable employee. this shit is no joke, if you dont have something that is absolutely unique that spreads viraly with word of mouth, you're gonna have a bad time.

    i think ill take the experience of at least going for my dreams to the grave, and i always know that if i need something i'll just go get it, women, money, a job, i like that hustler attitude. but this shit aint really working out

    i get this strange feeling like you should reject the job, like something bigger and more fulfilling is coming to you, or you are already doing it
    Yes, me as well, but we are all different, so....


    Originally Posted by pinkknight View Post

    Thank you. It's no joke at all. I can't be like this, I don't care, I'm moving on, everything will be just fine, because it isn't. I'm not being independent just to feel good about it, but actually to earn more. So, when the things aren't working out as I expect them, and at the same time you get an offer such as this, you ask yourself, maybe this is the sign to end up my little independent "experiment." Then, there's this other voice telling me that I should go on, because this a "test," I should pass in order to become truly successful. I really don't know.
    Exactly! I was in your place a few years ago. A job doing graphics for sneakers for someone came across my lap, (doing labels that go on sneakers, well, something alone those lines) but l rejected it.

    Mainly because the job would have become deadly boring after a few weeks, and l didn't want to lower myself down to someone else who managed to get this online thing to work.

    Also because part time would have become full time before Xmas, and the dream of becoming successful online would be fading into the sunset.

    I have been in a work environment before, and the money is good, but the automatic pilot is not. Or just living out each day, and then days flow into weeks and years, so l guess what l am saying is that a job stifles creativity.

    As well as coming home each, day buggered, and just wanting to make dinner and watch tv, then sleep, to repeat it all again. Some can motivate themselves to work late, and go to work the next day, but l am not sure if l am one of them.


    I have been doing fonts for the last year, and barely made $15 from it!

    As some have said, trying to create wealth online is hard, or as Frank Kern has said, "98% of what you try online won't work, but 2% does, and that can be life changing".

    Someone in a job will see what l have not achieved as failure, or the shape of things to come.

    I see it as, a learning process, or achieving 99 to 100% competency in this field. Once l achieve that level, (hopefully very soon) then success will occur, or success will come more easily than it could have before.

    Any business initially is hard, and online even harder, since you usually have to try several things to find the best one. But stay online for long enough and try enough things and you will whittle it down to the best one for you. Then stay with that one thing, and success should arrive.

    I personally believe that one of the next few fonts will hit the jackpot, since my competency level is pretty high.

    And where would l be if l took that job?

    Probably have more money, be living where l want, possibly have a girlfriend, and that is about it!

    Maybe still doing flyers, or fonts, but seeing it as a retirement scenario, (a nice little nest-egg in 10 to 20 years).

    I took the latter option or the other pill, and instead should be able to make a substantial income by next week, (or a few months at worst).

    Good luck.

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  • Profile picture of the author boblyle
    The character name you are looking for is Cypher.
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  • Profile picture of the author tmnsky
    Take the 9-5 and hustle in the after hours to get away from it
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    • Profile picture of the author pinkknight
      Originally Posted by tmnsky View Post

      Take the 9-5 and hustle in the after hours to get away from it
      Lol, Neo thing. This is how he got in trouble in the first place, lol.
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