Everybody (including the regular guy) hates not having control of their lives. Unfortunately, life isn't always fair and most people also don't like making short term sacrifices to achieve long term goals.
Part of what I'm reading out of this story is that you want to anticipate as much as possible and then to find moves that improve or at least change your situation. What the regular guy needs to understand is that all the bad things are in some ways the same. Your company's (maybe as yet hidden) downsizing plans will certainly affect your income and livelihood. But your regular performance will also limit your ability to get promotions and move to another company. Living paycheck to paycheck also limits your options and maneuverability. These bad things all limit you. You don't have leverage to talk to your boss about options. You can't afford to take a lesser paying consulting gig while trying to transition to something else. You won't be able quit work for a few months to take care of an ailing relative.
The answer to this is both simple and very hard. If you're living paycheck to paycheck, start doing little things to cut back so you can build up a 6 month salary cushion for tough times. If you're just a regular performer, see if there are courses you can take or little things you can volunteer for at work to expand your responsibilities or leverage your other skills. Understand the life choices you've make and recognize the inherent compromises you've made for what they are. It's fun to spend credit card money, but credit card debt and money constraints may force you to stay in a stable, but unsatisfying job. Once you've recognized the constraints in your life, then look for fun, little ways to break those constraints. Revisit those childhood passions. Be honest about your other strengths and look for fun ways to use them, enhance them, and incorporate them into your work and personal life. There's no quick answer and anyone who says there is one is trying to sell you a self-help book.
Good luck!