For many GenExers, empowerment at work is defined as knowing that they can walk out whenever they want. In my experience, they usually have a back-up plan to facilitiate this sense of “security” which I’ll call Plan B – this is the sensible back-up plan, comprised of everything from building marketable skills to knowing which other firms might hire you in a pinch. A GenXer without a Plan B is an unhappy GenXer.
But this isn’t the only back-up plan. Most GenExers I know have a Plan F – which would be Plan Fantasy. This invariably includes starting their own business of some sort – which is why I used to refer to this as the “retail phenomenon.” I had noticed that many of my peers harbored dreams of starting some sort of retail business – bakeries, clothing stores, flower shopes, the list goes on. The important thing was that it represented a strong personal interest – basically, it’s a business that is a true expression of the individual ( a strong source of meaning for GenX). Most GenXers dream of quitting their regular job and living their Plan F . However, because of a combination of GenX practicality and cynicism, few of these Plan Fs ever see the light.
So, I’m going to throw out an idea that maybe GenX should take a middle road – of having their cake and eating it too. Meaning, having their meaning (dream) and keeping their corporate job. Perhaps it is not just a choice between working for the man (financial security) and taking Plan F (having a meaningful life). Maybe what is needed is a new army of part-time workers who spend half their time in corporate america, and the other half building businesses that reflect their passions. I would hypothesize that the energizing effect of the side businesses would in many cases improve performance in their corporate jobs.
It is considered completely acceptable at many companies for mothers to work part-time when they have small children (and I’m sure at some enlightened companies this attitude would extend to dads). But working part-time to engage in another business activity would be seen as just a step out the door. But what if it were not? Would this finally engage GenXers en masse in their organizations?
live more leadership 
Great post. As a fellow genXer, I’ve had a plan B and a plan F, most of my career. About a year and a half ago, when things got to a low-point at my (plan A) corporate job, in the middle of this great recession, I faced the fact that plan B wasn’t really viable. It forced me to find a way to build plan F, just as you described. Starting small, I’ve established a small online retail space on Etsy.com. I’m creating and selling my own artwork. As it takes off, I’ve devoted more and more time to it. I expect that in the next year and a half, I’ll reduce my office hours and lean more towards plan F to feed my mortgage and my soul. In the end, plan F is a retirement plan, with a studio and gallery in a funky Portland neighborhood …and maybe a sister shop on Maui. I think getting to plan F, without comprimising plan A or B, is all about patience and small steps. It’s about F standing for Faith in yourself, and recognizing that the truly wonderous things in life happen when you work hard for them. And sometimes, they don’t work, for that there is plan G, H, I, J, K…
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I always wonder how many are doing these sorts of things but we just don’t know it. Seems like Plan F is often kind of hidden away. I like the idea of Plan Faith – I suppose that would be the evolution of the plan! I checked out your etsy site – very cool art!
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I think I’m already at that cross road. I’m going to see where it leads. Really good artice.
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I’m so curious – do you already have a Plan F in mind? Are you planning a big leap, or taking baby steps?
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I have a few Plan F’s, so I’m not sure what that means. I’m currently working on getting a group of GenXers that have a similar dream to band together. So far, we have all the expertise and now are looking for a sugar mama/daddy to help with the capital! 🙂 I do notice that most think that these dreams are just that, pipe dreams. It’s hard to pull people around to thinking about those dreams becoming a reality.
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Multiple Plan Fs are probably par for the course. Probably just means you are extra creative! I agree it is very difficult to make people believe their Plan Fs can become reality. I think in part because most GenXers never move at all past the fantasy stage to investigate the possibilities. Perhaps instead of dreaming more ideas, maybe we need to set our minds to doing marketing plans and really investigating and validating our ideas. Instead, I think we are sometimes waiting for the magical thing that will make it all happen (the sugar mama or perhaps fantasizing about being fired and being forced to make our Plan F work).
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