Admittedly, I am a proponent of the notion that in your career you are a free agent and an entrepreneur of one. Without being too preachy, this blog attempts to espouse the fundamental importance of autonomy in the 21st century economy. It takes planning and continuous learning of your craft to be able to maximize control over your career and professional development.

Professional athletes, and in particular, professional basketball player can teach us non-professional athletes a lot about maximizing control over your career and professional development. Starting about a week ago, the free agency period began for professional basketball players. During the free agency period some players are able to negotiate a new contract with their current teams or under certain circumstances negotiate a contract with a new team. For me, a professional athlete is the ultimate entrepreneur of one. In watching the machinations of free agents and team executives I developed a theory that describes what appears to unfold and is applicable to all of us as we negotiate our places in the world. It is called the Durant-LeBron principle, in honor of Kevin Durant and LeBron James: The more recognized and appreciated the value that you create in your current situation is, the less you have to negotiate your next opportunity whether you stay where you are or go elsewhere.