A recent article in the Las Vegas Sun discussed the huge influx of attendees at a recent business fair. The downturn in the economy, along with the unemployment rate, is causing people to rethink their professional choices. People are turning to self-employment to gain “more control” over their future.
Anyone who has been in business for any length of time may find that amusing. One of the first discoveries a new business owner makes is how little control they really have. Running your own business comes with its own set of challenges – much like working for someone else.
Many “corporate refuges” who go on to start their own companies soon find out that its not as easy as they thought. There’s the whole getting clients thing – not to mention figuring out the right pricing, knowing what to say, knowing who to say it to… Feel free to add your own staggering discoveries.
As a kid, when faced with equally good and bad choices, my mom would always add “its six of one; half-dozen of another.”
There’s no doubt, new business owner, there will be days when you longingly dream of the guaranteed paycheck, 10 hour work days and paid vacations. Even in those moments when you momentarily lose sight of your sanity, the half-dozen other reasons for being self-employed are worth every teeth-grinding moment.
Founding Father, Ben Franklin, said, “Time is money”. Peter Drucker, world-renown management consultant, said, “Until we manage time, we can manage nothing else.” As strategic coaches, we say, “You’ll never manage your time until you learn to manage technology, tools, and yourself.”