The End of Jobs

Jobs are disappearing, degrees are losing their value, and entrepreneurship is emerging as the way forward. Are you ready to seize your opportunity?

1. Every system has a limit that can be surpassed

Societies and economies are built on systems, each with unique limitations that define their growth potential. Eli Goldratt's "theory of constraints" explains this concept: every system has a limiting factor that restricts progress. You cannot expand indefinitely unless you address that bottleneck. For instance, a factory with one slower assembly line will be held back unless that specific line improves.

Over the centuries, the limits of economies have shifted. In the agricultural age, land was the limit, controlled predominantly by the Catholic Church. When Henry VIII broke away from Rome in the sixteenth century, the limit began to transition from land to capital. Similarly, the industrial revolution shifted the limit again to capital; this is where bankers overtook kings in economic power.

Most recently, knowledge became an economic limit with advances in technology. However, this limit is being replaced by creativity and entrepreneurship. As systems evolve, societies find new ways to grow and redefine success.

Examples

• The Catholic Church controlled England’s economy due to its land ownership until Henry VIII changed the rules.
• Industrial magnates replaced landowners as the dominant force in the economy when the limit became capital during the industrial revolution.
• IBM’s dominance in the 1970s illustrated the peak of the knowledge economy, which technology companies upheld.

2. College degrees no longer guarantee financial stability

In the mid-twentieth century, earning a degree almost guaranteed a job. Baby boomers benefitted from an economy where jobs grew faster than the population between 1948 and 2000. But economic growth has not kept pace with population growth in the twenty-first century, leaving many college graduates underemployed or unemployed.

Instead of the abundance experienced by earlier generations, today's workforce faces limited opportunities. The job market has become more competitive, and the value previously attached to degrees has diminished. This change signals the beginning of an economy built around innovation, not credentials.

What’s growing today is creative and unpredictable work. Jobs requiring originality and problem-solving are on the rise, signaling that creativity has become the driving force for success.

Examples

• The U.S. Census Bureau shows jobs grew 1.7 times faster than the population before 2000, but this trend reversed afterward.
• Over half of recent U.S. college graduates are working in jobs that don’t require a degree or remain unemployed.
• AirBnB’s marketing creativity allowed them to break into the market by using Craigslist to promote themselves.

3. Outsourcing and automation are reshaping the modern job market

The rise of technology and global competition has made it easier to outsource jobs and automate tasks. With better communication tools and a global workforce eager to work remotely, companies now hire talent from wherever it’s most cost-effective.

This shift isn’t limited to manual labor; even knowledge-based roles, such as web design and ticket sales, are affected. Machines and software increasingly handle tasks that once required human involvement. However, rather than fearing such advancements, people can use them to start businesses with lower costs and a larger talent pool.

Entrepreneurship thrives in this environment. By leveraging technology, small businesses can operate globally with teams from multiple countries, making the concept of “micro-multinationals” a reality.

Examples

• Skype allows companies to hire skilled workers worldwide at low rates, such as Filipino web designers earning significantly less than their U.S. counterparts.
• Eventbrite automates ticket sales entirely through software, replacing many traditional roles.
• Jesse Lawler runs his Vietnam-based software company with a team spread across the U.S., England, India, and the Philippines.

4. Entrepreneurship offers more security than jobs

The belief that traditional jobs provide security is deceptive. In today's volatile economy, loyalty and hard work won’t prevent layoffs or redundancy. Companies now seek cheaper alternatives, often outsourcing roles overseas without notice.

Entrepreneurs tackle risk differently. They learn to manage challenges and adapt by building skills and systems. This adaptability offers more control and mitigates the unexpected blows of job loss. Much like a poker player weighing their chances before a big bet, entrepreneurs learn how to calculate risks and maximize returns.

If you can master risk, as entrepreneurs do, you can take charge of your financial future and avoid the pitfalls of a false sense of security.

Examples

• Companies regularly outsource skilled labor to reduce costs, disregarding the loyalty of their employees.
• Entrepreneurs required to navigate risks head-on gain essential skills, unlike employees who tend to follow orders.
• Poker and entrepreneurship both focus on expected value: calculated decision-making for long-term gain.

5. Technology has made entrepreneurship accessible to everyone

Modern technology has leveled the playing field for starting a business. Gone are the days when only the wealthy or highly trained could run successful companies. Today, affordable tools and internet-based solutions simplify launching and growing ventures in almost any field.

Reduced production costs and direct-to-consumer models have eliminated many barriers. Entrepreneurs can use subscription services like Adobe Creative Cloud or e-commerce platforms to cut expenses while accessing professional-grade tools. Moreover, niche markets have become profitable thanks to online marketing.

By using the resources available online, anyone with determination and creativity can turn their ideas into viable businesses.

Examples

• Paying $9 per month for Xero accounting software beats older, costlier alternatives for budding businesses.
• Chinese manufacturers helped one company cut 25 percent of its costs while improving product quality.
• Services like UpCounsel let companies connect with specialized lawyers no matter where they are based.

6. Work can be meaningful, not just obligatory

For most of history, work has been an obligation tied to survival or wealth-building. Farming and factory jobs were forms of routine labor that sustained economies—but this is no longer necessary. Now, work that feels meaningful takes precedence.

By pursuing entrepreneurship, you can work on something you genuinely enjoy. Studies suggest creativity and fulfillment offer stronger motivation than financial rewards alone. Entrepreneurs who love what they do tend to experience higher satisfaction and better outcomes.

If you play by old rules, you’ll miss out on opportunities to create meaningful, rewarding work. Take advantage of the entrepreneurial shift and align your work with personal values.

Examples

• Dan Ariely’s study showed Indian workers performed worse when monetary incentives were too high, overshadowing meaningful goals.
• Mark Zuckerberg rejected Yahoo’s $1 billion offer in 2006 because his work on Facebook was more valuable than money.
• Hunter-gatherers worked only for survival, contrasting the obligation-driven work introduced by agricultural societies.

7. The Stair Step Method offers a roadmap to entrepreneurship

One practical way to enter entrepreneurship is Rob Walling’s Stair Step Method. It encourages starting small to build skills and confidence while minimizing risk. Start by selling a simple product, using a single marketing channel, and scaling gradually.

Once initial success brings some financial stability, the next step is to replace your job. After enough experience, you can launch larger products and expand into advanced markets. Walling used this method to build multiple businesses over time, highlighting how anyone can follow this laddered approach to entrepreneurial success.

This incremental process ensures you gain valuable experience while managing your financial risk responsibly.

Examples

• Walling gained his footing by running invoicing software that earned a modest but consistent income.
• He learned SEO techniques to grow an e-commerce towel website, increasing earnings to $2,500 per month.
• Using his gains, Walling launched multiple products, transforming himself into an experienced entrepreneur.

Takeaways

1. Use modern technology to build a business that aligns with your passion and embraces creativity. Start small and grow step by step.
2. Let go of the false security of traditional jobs. Develop problem-solving skills and adaptability like an entrepreneur.
3. Focus on doing meaningful work instead of chasing high-paying jobs. Personal fulfillment often leads to greater success in the long run.