The People Alchemist Edit: with jobs for life now a distant mirage and multiple careers and work lifestyles instead of the norm, the new career deal is live investing - it needs a portfolio

Traditional employment continues to evolve, with the 9-5 paradigm almost obsolete. The gig economy is on the rise. Most importantly, flexibility, autonomy and lifestyle as the new priorities. There are around 1.1 million people in the UK working multiple jobs. They make up 3.4 per cent of the workforce;

• 590,000 of these have multiple employee roles,
• 120,000 have multiple self-employment, and
• 420,000 combine employment and self-employment.

Diversification and multiple income streams must take an example from the most successful (and rich) business, people/entrepreneurs. Welcome the new deal: a portfolio career.

But what is exactly a portfolio career?

A portfolio career is a working style where you have several strings to your bow. Not a linear vertical career. As a result, your income and personal/professional fulfilment don't derive from the single traditional 9-5 paradigm. But from multiple expressions and applications of your skills and knowledge. For example, a mix of employment, freelancing, and/or consultancy. Or it could be a bundle of part-time and temporary work. Or freelance jobs. It can be built around:

• one main reliable source of income + consultancy and/or freelancing;
• a mix of different types of part-time jobs;
• a mix of different types of seasonal gigs.

And with the continuous rise internet and ubiquitous WIFI, it is getting easier and easier to make money from home. Online. Or better still, hashtag work-from-anywhere. A great example of this is the ever-growing Amazon. There are many ways for people to take advantage of its platform like:

• Amazon Affiliate Programme
• Amazon FBA
• Seller Accounts
• Or Mechanical Thurk. (A service platform for freelance work).

And so on. I have divided my time between consulting/project management and interim work for the past few years. Plus, writing a book. And blogging. It does require sacrifices and thicker skin. Up early, less socialising. And working when others are resting. But having an outlet for personal expression is liberating. What about you? Have you thought about building a portfolio career? What is stopping you?