I have thought a lot about this topic and agree with your reasons why people stay in jobs they don’t like. I would like to suggest another reason specifically why people choose to stay in a job as opposed to following a passion or doing something beyond “working for the man.”

In a traditional job there is a wide span of performance that will still guarantee that steady paycheck. One can work at a level just barely above being fired all the way up to being a high achiever and still get paid the same amount for the same hours worked. Generally, you will get tasks that you can handle and receive the appropriate training if needed. Contrast this with branching out and doing something on your own. You have to figure out how to do things, get your own training, and you need to achieve a high level of performance to make a career to support yourself. Anything less is not going to cut it. As Tim Ferriss says, “Most people choose unhappiness over uncertainty.”

I hope people will read your article and evaluate their current work situations. Even if quitting a traditional job and becoming an entrepreneur is not in the cards, people should realize they have options. The inertia of being in the same job for a long time is difficult to overcome. This is one of the reasons that I suggest on the first day of your new job you should write your resignation letter.