Becoming Self Employed

REASONS FOR BECOMING SELF EMPLOYED

Some people would prefer to have a job, but decide to work for themselves because they can't find a job, or earn enough from a job. Self employment can be a real challenge if it isn't what you want, because the mindset is very different. With a job, you generally get paid for your time. In most 'developed' countries the law may also entitle you to benefits such as paid holidays.

However, when you start your own business you might make a financial loss. You do not have a guaranteed income, and you will not receive holiday pay. So, why would anyone be interested in becoming self employed?

One of the major reasons is that many people simply want to be their own boss. They want a great sense of independence rather than being at the beck and call of an employer. "Sure, a job may give the impression of greater financial security, but isn't it better to be in control of your own life," are the sort of words you might hear.

Starting your own business may bring an opportunity to earn more money than a job. But the truth is that many small businesses struggle or fail. The major motivation for becoming self employed is often freedom rather than wealth.

SUCCESS

What is success? The answer is different for different people. For some people it might be money based. Others say it is about family or friends. Or is it about personal or spiritual development? It's important to become aware of your own priorities when you start your own home based business. Otherwise, how will you know what to aim at, or whether you succeed?

In The E-Myth small business coaching program developed by Michael Gerber, the first principle is Life. When you start planning your home based business, consider how it will make your life better. There are two main possibilities.

First, the nature of the business may in itself be close to your heart. For example, let's say that you love writing and that you become a self employed writer of some sort. Maybe you will feel blessed that you can earn money doing what you love doing. Same thing if you love gardening and you are a self employed gardener.

Second, if you don't love what you're doing in your business - the money you earn enables you to make life choices that you really want to be able to make. The main issue here is that success does depend, in your mind at least, on making enough money from the business to fund your more pleasurable activities.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Regardless of your motives for becoming self employed, or your thoughts about success, you will need to think about time management issues - which you can read about elsewhere at Successful Home Based Business.com

There are two main aspects in a home based business. One aspect is how to spend your time wisely during your work time to achieve your business goals. The other is to find strategies to separate your work from the rest of your home life.

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