Job Shaming

Disarm Job Shaming

We tackle job shaming head-on to help you build confidence and wealth on your own terms.

Don't let job shaming shame you.

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Flipping the Script on Job Shaming

I’ve felt job shamed from all sides.

I felt it reading personal finance books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad that quietly imply employees are suckers and “real” winners are business owners.

I felt it at home, when my own dad thought I should skip college and just start a business.

I even felt it as an intern. During orientation, HR was explaining the company benefits and asked if we had any questions. I raised my hand and asked about the retirement plan. Another intern laughed and basically said, “Retirement? Dude, this is just a job.”

That’s job shaming in a nutshell: treating a job as something to be embarrassed by instead of the very thing that’s paying for your life.

I also job shamed myself. Early in my career I constantly compared myself to entrepreneurs and founders. I felt like a loser, replaying endless “what ifs”:

• What if I’d had different mentors?

• What if I’d picked a different degree?

• What if I was the kind of person who could take big risks?

At one office, I watched every single staff member eventually leave for “better” roles. I became the most tenured employee there—even though I was the youngest. I started to believe I was doing something wrong because I was still there.

But for my family, staying was exactly the right call.

That’s when something clicked for me:

The problem isn’t the job. The problem is the shame we attach to jobs.

Logically and economically, I believe most people will make more money at a good job, with a serious investing plan, than they will running a business they’re not wired for.

Employment is not a consolation prize. It’s an incredibly efficient economic model:

• You join a team and benefit from specialization and collaboration

• You get access to proprietary systems, knowledge, and mentors

• You can start earning money immediately, without finding customers, building infrastructure, or raising capital

Is entrepreneurship important? Absolutely. Somebody has to build the companies. But it’s completely wrong to say everybody should be an entrepreneur.

My stance is simple:

• Pro‑job: Your current job is the income arrangement you’ve agreed to right now. You can and should be looking for the next best arrangement, but there’s no shame in where you are today.

• Pro‑family: A steady schedule and paycheck can be a feature, not a bug—it creates time and energy for the people you love.

• Pro‑portfolio: Your job’s real purpose in your wealth plan is to fund ownership of income‑producing assets.

• Anti–job shaming: You will never be shamed here for being an employee, staying put for your family, or taking a “less glamorous” job to do the right thing.

If you’ve ever felt like your job made you “less than,” I built Cheatcode Wealth™ and Paycheck‑to‑Passive™ for you.

Quick FAQs

What is job shaming?

Job shaming is criticizing or passing judgment on someone because they choose to be employed or because of the type of employment they choose.

Why is it harmful?

It damages self-esteem and creates unnecessary financial expectations. It causes employees to misallocate their focus and effort on exiting the job market when they would be wealither to embrace and dominant it.

How can I stop job shaming?

Recognize the value in all work and challenge negative assumptions openly. Understand that employment is an efficient labor arrangement that offers you benefits and drawbacks.

Who does job shaming affect?

Anyone with a job can be targeted, regardless of role or income. Job shaming can be direct, but more often it is indirect and subtle.

Can job shaming impact finances?

Yes, it can lead to ineffective career decisions and stress. It can cause people to overvalue independence and control and undervalue the consistency and freedom that a job does afford.

Where can I learn more about disarming job shaming?

This hub links to articles and tools designed to empower and support you.

This page helped me see job shaming for what it is and feel more confident about my career choices.

J.T.

★★★★★