Some people spend their whole working life in a secure career environment only to realize decades later that they wish they had decided on a scalable career. What most people are taught while growing up is to do well in school, go to college, and choose a stable profession. However, a stable career can limit your own personal growth and income, not to mention, occupy the majority of your life.

But with the economy at record lows, what is now considered a stable career? Many people are experiencing their companies closing their doors or minimizing an employee’s hours and benefits. What was once a stable career has now become an insecure career for many.

Non-scalable (stable) careers are professions where you are paid hourly or by salary. Occupations that are non-scalable would be a plumber, lawyer, dentist, contractor, consultant, baker, teacher, or a technician. Scalable careers are professions that usually involve self-employment and can include a person’s lifelong passion. Occupations that are scalable would be professional athletes, self employed professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, performers such as actors, writers, artists, and musicians.

Is a scalable career worth the risk?

Most people choose a stable career because it makes them feel financially secure. Their security is focused on a regular paycheck, occasional raises, and sometimes benefits. Some people grow weary of the same occupation and go back to college to advance in a new traditional career. While other people are lifetime students that stay focused on several traditional careers. Yet many people that have non-scalable careers find that they are still making the same amount of money (adjusted for inflation), that they were 10 or 20 years ago.

However, people with scalable professions and careers have the potential for making a substantial and unlimited amount of income. Yet there is a factor of risk involved. We have all heard the old saying about “starving artists”. To an extent that saying is true. Yet there are many artists who are very successful and some are not nationally known.

Usually the scalable career involves fewer hours of labor for a return. For instance, a writer only writes one book but receives payment for whatever is sold. Yet the average book will not keep the public’s eye indefinitely, so the author needs to write more. On average, the scalable career professional works less hours than the non-scalable. And yes, the scalable career professionals typically make a lot more money. But with more potential for money also comes a greater risk.

Turn Your Stable Career Into A Scalable Career

An excellent way to turn your stable career into a scalable career is to get more clients. Whether you are a plumber, technician, doctor or lawyer, if you can open up your own business and get your own personal clients, then you are on your way to a scalable career. But realize you will be competing  with your former employer for clients. Most people cannot handle that risk.

A scalable career can be very competitive and there is no middle ground. Either a scalable career succeeds or it does not. It can be very unpredictable, having periods where there is no income. Most people who choose the scalable career route will have a stable career on the side as a main income. Taking the full plunge is quite hard for someone who has family responsibilities.

Sometimes, the success of a scalable career professional is determined by pure luck. However, if the scalable career professional is successful, the rewards are many. Being able to control your own path and future, using your own marketable career skills to work for yourself and making time for the more important things in life.

If a scalable career sounds inviting but the uncertainty of success is a bit scary, then one can work part-time perusing their dream. Eventually a part-time scalable career may be extremely profitable and the secure employment will be left behind.