[Mods, I do not know which subforum is the right place for thi.]

So, we have been looking at change for IC's from numerous angles. All to the good, because we get perspective. Love this!

More specifically, are you as an IC experiencing change more because of your situation; life, the universe and everything; the gig industry; the pandemic; and/ or something else?

Do tell..

@Shop-et-al

It's about having agency...

Some here may not know what that means. Let me share how Google describes it; "Having agency means having the capacity and freedom to make independent choices and take actions that shape one's own life. It involves a belief in one's ability to influence outcomes and make meaningful changes, rather than passively accepting circumstances. Essentially, it's about being the author of your own life, rather than a bystander."

I was raised by a divorced mother of three and her mother. There was a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes (some hand me downs) on our backs, good moral values, a solid sense of right from wrong. There was no excess anything. I was shy and the youngest of the family. Childhood summers were spent with grandmother swimming in a lake, camping with mother and siblings, or with a few close friends in the woods, building tree forts, playing stick ball, street hockey, or sledding on the golf course hills in winter.

I was the first, and only, of my family to graduate from college. At this point I've become independent. I worked hard and saved for years. I was the first, and only, to retire early in my family. I continued to take care of the yards and homes for mother and grandmother as best I could until their passing. I still regularly visit their grave site and say thanks.

This gives perspective to the voice Maverick has today; this IS me...from a young, shy, introvert to an unvarnished, independent, truth teller. Formed by the best two women I've ever known. Their voices I can still hear over my shoulder.

So in summary, it's not any industry. It's me. I will not be a bystander. I'm fully independent. I have agency.

Regarding mystery shopping, I have been more selective over time. In my opinion, a shopper needs to become familiar with their area and gain experience by performing some of the shops. One can't become overly reliant on others and the forums for guidance and feedback.

In the overall and general scope of independent contractors, I believe a lot of individuals are misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees.

I think we also need to understand the role and meaning of an independent contractor and business owner.

I'll share a story. When I was much younger, I would ride with my dad on occasion in some areas. We passed by a street corner where crowds of individuals loitered. I did not understand it at the time. My dad explained to me that those people are just there, in hopes someone will pick them up during the business day if someone needs extra labor for a construction or landscaping job, with no other options. He didn't look down on them, but he said it's like a form of exploitation. After we passed that area, we passed by the small business owners performing the necessary duties that needed to be done throughout the day. It was just an interesting experience and thought.

At work with full-time employees, we often use the terms individual contributor and managerial to distinguish between roles and lines of direct reports. I'll always try to be an individual contributor for as long as I possibly can



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2025 02:57PM by paniconmon.

From my perspective, it's a combination of factors. Nothing exists in a vacuum.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NIV):

"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all."

Building on a few posts.... Long ago, in a chance encounter with a huge at-fault truck, I was severely injured. Injury effects are still part of every day life. Nonetheless, I tried as many gig types as I reasonably and unreasonably could. I even found a few faves! I am willing to complete more gigs and am waiting for certain assignments. Now, it is necessary to focus on back care more than ever in order to prevent life-disrupting pain (organs are older now and doc says to limit nsaids so as to spare them) while preventing hunching and curling (and looking like a comma). Sometimes, this involves (gasp!) augmenting packaged salad with fresh and all kinds of additional ingredients which contribute to "my" idea of abundant, colorful, and nutritious salad. The back will tolerate only so much of certain activities, such as certain movements in food prep and elsewhere. Every aspect of life is affected. Adaptions here are good, practical, and helpful. Long live packaged salad base! (It really is not salad until all the goodies have been added to it).

Throw tomatoes if you must...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2025 06:49PM by Shop-et-al.

@Shop-et-al wrote:

Building on a few posts.... Long ago, in a chance encounter with a huge at-fault truck, I was severely injured. Injury effects are still part of every day life. Nonetheless, I tried as many gig types as I reasonably and unreasonably could. I even found a few faves! I am willing to complete more gigs and am waiting for certain assignments. Now, it is necessary to focus on back care more than ever in order to prevent life-disrupting pain (organs are older now and doc says to limit nsaids so as to spare them) while preventing hunching and curling (and looking like a comma). Sometimes, this involves (gasp!) augmenting packaged salad with fresh and all kinds of additional ingredients which contribute to "my" idea of abundant, colorful, and nutritious salad. The back will tolerate only so much of certain activities, such as certain movements in food prep and elsewhere. Every aspect of life is affected. Adaptions here are good, practical, and helpful. Long live packaged salad base! (It really is not salad until all the goodies have been added to it).

Throw tomatoes if you must...

In college, a study buddy would share a wedge of lettuce and some dressing. Yes, we were that frugal then. There were no tomatoes to throw.

@Shop-et-al wrote:

Sometimes, this involves (gasp!) augmenting packaged salad with fresh and all kinds of additional ingredients which contribute to "my" idea of abundant, colorful, and nutritious salad. The back will tolerate only so much of certain activities, such as certain movements in food prep and elsewhere. Every aspect of life is affected. Adaptions here are good, practical, and helpful. Long live packaged salad base! (It really is not salad until all the goodies have been added to it).

Throw tomatoes if you must...

I won't throw tomatoes or cast stones. I try not to have that complex

I have made a similar shift in my eating habits. For myself, the biggest impact that I've had recently is wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). My fiancee figuratively (and literally) twisted my arm and stuck it in I see the effects of various meals, and it's been a real eye-opener and convenient. Of course, everyone is different.

My takeaway and what I wanted to share is to be careful how you prepare and "dress" your salad. For example, even something as innocent as a dressing can have an adverse effect. You may even rationalize that it's fine to use a larger amount. I like to dress my salad with a protein.

May I suggest reading the book Atomic Habits? I have not read the book, but I'm aware of its premise and gist. Make this a habit that you prioritize

Edited to add: Since I've seen some biblical verses, I'll drop one here. To qualify, I'm neither a well-versed nor a religious person.

John 8:7 "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." My understanding is that the only one qualified to throw a stone did not



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2025 10:36PM by paniconmon.

Many, most? of us have to do what we can to make our situations work for us....without judgement, no tomatoes thrown here. I am sorry that you have pain issues to deal with. I have a sister with back issues, so I have seen up close that there's a struggle.
Peace

I like salad as a complete meal. Anything less seems like a waste of time. Still miss my salad book that had oodles of salad recipes... numerous ways to adapt and personalize... and incorporate leftovers... super helpful for the back & budget... think i accidentally donated it during a Mari Tokuda-style sorting session... anywasaaayyyy, you are spot on about salad dressings. A drop or two of some of the dressings from the kits will flavor a more sensible basic dressing (and sometimes other dishes). Some of the dressings are too sweet or salty for me. Ymmv.

I'm looking to do less IC work in the near future, and hopefully way less for the long term.

I'm *this* close to yanking the Uber and Lyft clings from my windshield and rear hatch and deleting the apps from my phone. Profitability is at an all-time low and my financial situation has hanged significantly over the last few months. Rideshare has become a much-hated necessary evil that is no longer necessary, hopefully.

Talks are in place with a couple of potential donors for the 6-figures needed to fully fund my full-time position with the non-profit I do. Once that happens I'll resort to bookending weekends with Quick Quack car washes and maybe some gas stations so I can write off the mileage to/from the GF's, and the occasional big bonus remote gas station routes when the calendar and the $$$ align.

@CoolMusic wrote:

I'm *this* close to yanking the Uber and Lyft clings from my windshield and rear hatch and deleting the apps from my phone. Profitability is at an all-time low and my financial situation has hanged significantly over the last few months. Rideshare has become a much-hated necessary evil that is no longer necessary, hopefully.

Recently, I was at the car dealership to get some service done. The dealership dispatched a Lyft for me while waiting. On both rides, I was picked up in nicer cars than mine. Sheesh

We all are born with “free will” which, when applied consciously can become “agency.” You become the captain of your ship in life.

There will be still waters, steady winds, sunny days, good fishing days, lean times, and storms.

We are each unique and also similar with gifts to share if we get to know them and choose to. This world needs our goodness now more than ever.

Discernment is something I’ve come to value highly. It can be compared to wisdom. We live, learn, and choose. Discernment is the embodiment of lessons learned we depend on to make wiser choices.

It’s up to us to do that and when life surprises us, in whatever wonderful or not so wonderful way it does, we also get to choose if and how we respond.

That’s freedom. That’s agency. It’s how and who we become.

In this business, if someone acts with honor and integrity, I’ll share it widely. If they intentionally abuse my time, talent, and trust, they don’t get a second chance, and I’ll share so others can be aware and discern for themselves.

It’s how we connect and uplift and build community.

I’m grateful for this one.
Thanks for sharing.

SBP, after reading your post, this quote came to my mind, "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

SBP - so much wisdom in what you've written. Thank for your sharing your words with us.

Maverick

I have tried to teach my kids about adding nutritional density to any basic recipe or convenience item. At least one has listened.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2025 09:09PM by CABZmom.