What Being Your Own Boss Means?

Let’s face it – we have all had a job which sucked the life out of us. Working for a company which we really didn’t care about. Nine to five, six days out of seven was draining you. Ever thought what being your own boss would mean? To decide your schedule? To choose your own tasks?

we have all had a job which sucked the life out of us. Working for a company which we really didn’t care about. Nine to five, six days out of seven was draining you. Ever thought what being your own boss would mean? To decide your schedule? To choose your own tasks?

Ever wondered who actually are these people? Well, these people are entrepreneurs.They are people who run their own business, are freelancers, and even solopreneurs.

Imagine a life where you can live on your own terms, no need to worry about nine to five, have the freedom to choose how to spend your time in your own way. Becoming your own boss sounds aspiring, but the truth is, the reality of running a business is not for everyone. How will you be able to pay the bills on your own? How about that mortgage or those car payments? The amount of effort you put in your work is proportional to the money you end up earning, and even that is not guaranteed as businesses can fail.

Here are some things you need to consider before becoming your own boss:

1. Develop self-discipline and determination

Now that you are your own boss, you need to be well determined and a disciplined person with the right emotional state and mindset. One of the main reasons why small businesses often fail is a lack of desire. You should develop a burning desire for achieving your goals. Many people succeed because of this desire and determination. Also, self-discipline is the most important quality to develop to become successful as your own boss.

2. Quality of being decisive

If you are really serious about becoming your own boss, you need to develop decisiveness. Being decisive means that you have the ability to make specific, concise and timely decisions. In the end, it’s our decisions that determine how successful we will be. A true leader and a great boss are confident to stand alone and have the courage to take tough decisions. Being decisive is one of the rational ways to take on any problem.

3. Become an expert in your field

Firstly, analyze your skills and passions and identify the right business for you. Give yourself time and permission to explore. Do what you often like doing. Once you have figured it out and have a clear idea of how your new life being your own boss would be, try to become an expert in that area of interest. Becoming an expert here means investing in knowledge. Learn as much as you can about your field from any source you can find. This is the kind of investment that ends up paying the best interest.

“Because the more you know, the more you grow.”

– F.A.Q. – A science show I watched as a kid.

4. Building your support network

It is practically impossible to build a business all by yourself. That’s why you need to build a network of supporters, advisors, partners, influencers, vendors, and more if required. Network locally, nationally and/or via social networks. It’s really important to continually engage in networking and make the right connections to excel and succeed.

5. Understanding personal finance and building financial security

As an entrepreneur, there’s a thin line between your personal life and business life. They are, in more than one ways, interconnected. Therefore, it is always recommended to have a detailed understanding of personal finances. Also, you need to be financially secure. There are many ways to build financial security such as saving your own money, getting a loan or seeking out investors. To execute your ideas smoothly, many times you do require to be financially secure.

Pros of being your own boss:

1. Choose your own working hours

If you are a person who likes to work late at nights or doesn’t like to work in the afternoon, you are free to set your own time. When you are your own boss, you eliminate the old-fashioned way to warm up the chairs for specific hours.

2. Flexibility to work anywhere

Being your own boss allows you to select any preferred location for you. It can be your

home or any place where you find comfort while working. With today’s technological advancements, it is possible to work from nearly anywhere.

3. Doing the work you enjoy

“Life is too short to waste time doing things that you hate.”

-Anonymous

If you hate your job, your negativity towards work will make you feel tired and unmotivated. Being an entrepreneur gives you the chance to get paid to do something that you actually enjoy and look forward to.

4. You are free to make your own decisions

While in a job, you might have faced situations where your boss diminished every decision you took. This usually results in lowering of self-confidence, self-respect and most importantly, motivation. When working for yourself, you become more active, productive, creative, determined and motivated. You become free to take any decisions, but remember, your decisions will have a major effect on your work and business.

Cons of being your own boss:

1. Your customers are your boss. Your clients are your boss

While working in a business or on your own, providing services to clients, it might happen that your customers or clients become your boss. Business planning with clients, meeting the deadlines, product development, etc. have to be completed by you. At times, when you need money, your clients become in charge.

2. Your commitments are your boss

Your word is your most powerful asset. You can’t miss commitments very often because that is a sure shot way to failure. Word of mouth is a great asset in business but it can also ruin your business if the word about you not honoring your word gets out. Meetings, deadlines, and promises are commitments. You can’t really run a business without them.

3. You spend your own money

You become the first investor for your business. You pay for all the necessities required to run a business such as technology, equipment, etc. All this comes from your pocket, not from the employer’s budget.

4. You earn when you work

You have no assurance of salary and compensation. It all depends on you and how much work you put in. Your business is also affected by your clients, your market, and your business offering. If you don’t work, then you will not earn. Efforts put in your work and rewards for the same are interlinked.

Being your own boss is a dream come true for a lot of people but what you have to realize is that it is not all rainbows and cupcakes. To enjoy the benefits that come with it, you have to go through the hardships that are linked to it.