You don't have to. Pt. II
Now it's time for some work talk.
You don't have to cater to every whim of a customer — that'll only backfire.
You don't have to give discounts — give one if it benefits you, don't if it doesn't. Or don't give one even if it's beneficial. Or give one even if it's a loss. It's up to you.
You don't have to stick with one company, one specialty, or one industry — bored, burned out, or priorities shifted? Adapt. Changing plans is normal.
You don't have to be available all the time — even if someone says you do. You can say no, renegotiate, reassign, or just walk away.
You don't have to do things that hurt you — you're the one responsible for yourself, and you're the one who'll deal with the consequences. Your interests come first.
You don't have to follow illegal orders — that's what your brain is for. And your mouth, which is able to say 'no'.
You don't even have to follow legal orders — you can always walk away.
You don't have to chase a promotion — if you're happy where you are, stay there. There's no race unless you choose to join it.
In fact, you don't have to work at all. But we've already covered that in Part 1.