Which Type Of American Are You?
Type One American:
The first type of American consist of the majority of the people. They long to secure a job from a big corporation or at least an established business that offers a mid-range paycheck, good benefits, and a clear path that should be followed in order to keep their job and perhaps be considered for promotion.
This type of job offers security and the promise of stability. Most people celebrate nabbing one of these jobs. They brag to their families and start planning their lives out once the good news comes that they have been hired. The real celebration begins if it is a government job. It is considered the gold standard for some people to get a job at the DMV or other government agency. It just doesn't get any better for them.
They believe so much in this type of job that they groom their children to be in the best possible position to follow in their footsteps. They brag about their job. They read about industries going through changes, layoffs occurring, people having to go back to school and learn something new, and they thank God they don't have to worry about any of those things. They work for an industrial behemoth or the government which eliminates those worries. Or so they believe.
Type Two American:
The second type of American is very different. Not only does their view of the ideal workplace differ from American Type One, but they are different because they are drawn from every demographic group in the country.
- African Americans
- Hispanics
- Caucasians
- Poor People
- Rich People
- Immigrants
And the list goes on and on. What type of work environment can attract such a varied group of people?
It is entrepreneurship. Starting your own company, large or small, and being your own boss.
This type of work offers none of the security that Type One Americans dream about. Nor does it give you a full benefit package.
So what is the attraction?
There is a striving in Type Two Americans to not be part of the majority group. They inherently know that security on the job is purchased at a very high price. They also know that a free benefit package is really not free. They don't consciously think of these things they just know it.
They are attracted to the freedom of being an entrepreneur. They don't want other people telling them how they should think, what they should do, how they should act, or when they should show up for work and when they should leave to go home.
If they succeed they want the credit. If they fail they are willing to take the blame. There are no mixed messages from middle and upper management to confuse them about what their mission is for the day, the week, the month, or the year.
They would feel suffocated working for the DMV. It would be a fate worse than death for them.
My Interpretation Of The Two Types Of Americans
I have belonged to both groups of Americans during my adult life. What I have noticed is that during periods of insecurity or hard times I tended towards wanting to be part of Group One. When I was feeling secure and felt like I could conquer the world then I wanted to be part of Group Two.
Neither group is wrong. But there is a certain trait that Group Two embraces that makes them seem more like the Americans of old then their new counterparts.
Group Two believes in self sufficiency. If something is going to get done they are going to do it or be responsible for it being done.
They also seem happier, no matter what amount of money they make, then their Group One counterparts. The guy or gal that owns the small hot dog stand seems happy to be selling hot dogs. They greet their customers, complete transactions, and go home and tell the days stories to their families. They look forward to tomorrow's adventures. Does the DMV clerk look forward to tomorrow's adventures?
What is real interesting, and maybe you have seen or experienced this yourself, is that Group Two Americans can and do share experiences with each other, no matter what business they are in or what economic status they hold.
In other words it would not be completely unusual for the hot dog cart owner to get into a discussion with the real estate investor about the state of the economy and how it is effecting each others business. Can you imagine the DMV clerk having that discussion with the owner of the paving company? Can you imagine the DMV clerk saying anything other than "Next".
Nothing important happens until a person (not an organization) decides that they are going to make something happen. Group Two Americans are made up of people that have it in their DNA to make something happen.
Which group are you a member of?
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Excellent post. I, probably similar to many others, can associate with both groups. Type one for the security, but also for the feelings of success and accomplishment of moving up the ranks in corporate America, enjoying with it the potential prestige of your position. However, true to heart is type 2, the entrepreneurial drive of creating something of your own. Both offer feelings of accomplishment and gratification, by personally speaking I believe type 2 offers the greatest rewards.
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Thanks for the comment.
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What a great post! I've found myself drawn to Group Two and still do. However, lately I've been going through a period of insecurity where I think "What the heck am I doing? I should be in university studying law or something to work for a large firm later in life. Where am I going?"
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Great post. Coming from South Africa to the states, I find myself more in Group 2. I think group 2 sometimes are able to see an oppurtunity before group 1.
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Thanks for the comment Jonathan. I think you are right about group 2 being able to see an opportunity first.
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