Ever wanted to be your own boss? Where do you start, and is it worth it?
Starting your own business is hard work, but the rewards of being your own boss significantly outweigh the challenges.
More than 20 years ago I walked away from a 9 to 5 job and waved goodbye to a steady paycheque. It may seem like a big risk to take, but there are currently more than 3.7 million sole-traders in the UK who have decided to be their own boss, accounting for more than 60% of all private business.
There has not been a single day I’ve regretted the decision to work for myself. Some days, believe me, I have questioned myself repeatedly, but never regretted it.
Now, at the age of 43, I have more than 40 people working with me or for me, depending on how you look at it, and my group of businesses are in 10 different industries. It has been a hell of a rollercoaster, but one I have enjoyed riding and will continue to do so while I strive to be a better version of me with each day that goes by.
There are many ups and downs to being self-employed, but here are my top 5 reasons to be your own boss in 2021, even after the pandemic and global collapse.
- You can work flexible hours
Not a morning person? It doesn’t matter when you’re your own boss. As long as you can get the work done, you can sleep until midday and work through the evening instead if you want to. Having a flexible schedule is one of main reasons people aspire to becoming self-employed and is a key driver for many people to rid themselves of a typical 9-5. It was the number one reason for me to set up my own business.
- You have creative control
Being stuck with processes and procedures that you have to work with can be extremely frustrating. When you are your own boss, you have complete control over how things are done. You choose the business you want, the type of jobs you’re happy to accept, and the way you like to work.
- You get a greater sense of satisfaction
Working for somebody else can be disheartening when you feel like just another cog in the wheel, and that it doesn’t really matter how much effort you put in. However, when it is your own business, you feel more motivated as you’re responsible for your own success. Every piece of work you do matters because you directly benefit from crossing jobs off your list.
- You can wave goodbye to monotony
It’s easy to get bored when you’re in a typical 9-5 routine. Being your own boss allows you to be more creative with your working habits. A lot of self-employed people have a business where they can work any hours of the day from any location, and this is certainly appealing to most people.
Wave goodbye to monotony and enjoy the perks of working for yourself in 2021 and beyond!
- You are in charge of your income
Perhaps the most exciting thing about being your own boss is that you can dictate how much you earn. The sky really is the limit when it comes to how much you want to make each month. Just be realistic about the goals you set yourself.
To quote Steve Jobs: “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Then somehow know what you truly want to become.”
My final thought about being your own boss is the main thought – don’t chase the money, chase the results and the enjoyment that being your boss or an entrepreneur can give you. The rest will just be stepping stones as part of the journey.
