I have been mostly doing my own thing for the last 6-7 years. I'm now actively working on longer term client projects and making about $10K/MO. I also get head hunted weekly since my skillset is in high demand in the current market. Here is the problem:

- it seems most companies in my industry nowadays have a mandatory clause in the contract that prohibits me from doing anything else that could make me money on the side. perhaps this is normal and I was not aware of it because I ran my own show but to me this is really making it difficult

Why is that? Because working a job and being contractually forced to stick to that 1 source of income means that I have zero leverage in terms of negotiation and ultimately little security. I can't be the only one struggling with this. When I had employees I actively encouraged them to work on the side since it increases income, happiness and creativity. Not to mention forcing someone to not do something on the side that is not competing at all with the business feels like slavery. Why should I let a company tell me what I can and can't do in my own spare time if it poses no threat whatsoever to their bottom line.

Any thoughts, inputs and experiences here? Or should I just sell my ass and get chained to this one source of income and pray for the best. I honestly really question whether this is a good idea even if the pay is good in this economy. What's next, they telling me who I can and can't date and what I can and can't eat? Some friends of mine told me about this at their work and thought it was BS but it turns out it's actually a thing, sign here and we own you.