When I first started working, I believed the same thing most high-achievers do: if I just kept showing up, worked hard, and stayed loyal — my job would take care of me.
Turns out, that’s a story. And here’s the kicker: most of us are still living by it. Actually, there are three stories — and they keep a lot of smart, ambitious professionals stuck and complacent as long as things are “fine.”
Let’s break down these three common stories.
Story #1: “We’re one team — all in it together.”
Reality: Jobs are transactions. That line works great at offsites and all-hands meetings — until the next reorg or leadership change. Teams may rally for a season, but companies aren’t built on loyalty to people. They’re built on loyalty to profit.
Story #2: “If I stay loyal, I’ll be safe.”
Reality: Companies optimize for profit, not people. I learned this one the hard way. One year, I was a top performer. Two years later, I was being demoted. Not because my performance slipped — but because the politics did.
The leaders I had been asked to support fell out of favor. And because I had worked for them, I was now seen as loyal to the “wrong people.” A liability. My value wasn’t judged on my actual work. It was judged on alliances. And once the politics turned, I was tossed aside.
It felt devastating. I had tied so much of my worth to how others at work saw me. (That whole self-worth thing? Yeah… that’s a saga for another day 🙃).
I nursed my wounds (with therapy — because these environments aren’t healthy, and there’s no shame in needing help). And then I made a choice. We were about 18 months into our FI journey at the time. That experience lit my FI fire. I decided to accelerate my independence and never let my security rest in corporate politics again.
Here’s the thing: you can enjoy work. You can like the people you work with. You can even feel fulfilled. But the way you protect that is by pouring into yourself and your own leverage too. Because yes — I did move to another organization where they were great. Supportive. Wanted me on the team. Gave me a raise. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to get caught in that position again.
Story #3: “My paycheck is my safety net.”
Reality: True security is what you build outside the paycheck. Your paycheck covers today. But if it’s the only net you’ve got, you’re one reorg away from panic. Real leverage is having an F-You Fund, investments, and options that aren’t tied to one employer.
“Loyalty is not about sticking with a company forever —
Adam Grant, Think Again
it’s about staying true to your values while you’re there.”
Most people don’t wake up to these stories until something forces the issue — a layoff, a toxic boss, a health scare. That’s the catalyst-driven awakening. But awareness itself can also spark an awakening. Reading this newsletter. Hearing someone else’s FI story. Realizing layoffs can hit anyone. Noticing that your paycheck isn’t true security.
“Even during reorganizations, no role is guaranteed. Uncertainty is built into the system.”
Harvard Business Review, Navigating Uncertainty About Your Role During a Reorg
Those lightbulb moments are an invitation: to stop drifting, and start acting with intention before crisis forces your hand. The question is — will you wait for the crash, or awaken now?
Here’s the truth: security doesn’t come from loyalty. It doesn’t come from your paycheck. And it definitely doesn’t come from corporate politics. It comes from building your own safety net.
👉 First step? Define how much security you need. A number, not a hope. That’s where independence starts. Not sure how to get started? Check out this video to learn more.
Reflection for you: What belief about your company is keeping you more stuck than safe?
Ready to stop waiting for “someday” and start creating options now?
The Financial Independence Accelerator is a 4-month private experience where we design your custom, values-aligned FI plan — the numbers, the energy, and the mindset — so you can reclaim your time, energy, and financial power without deprivation or delay.
Apply to the Financial Independence Accelerator
Jessica Yancey is a coach, consultant, and FI mentor who helps high-achieving professionals build clarity, choice, and freedom with their money and careers. After two decades in corporate leadership, she built her own F-You Fund and now teaches others how to create options—without extreme frugality or quitting overnight. She blends simple money math with energy and mindset work to help people design a life that actually fits.
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