If you are a solopreneur, business owner, or home based CEO, you work for yourself. Oh, I know you actually work for your clients but my point is you aren’t working for some large corporation, punching a time clock. In fact, you probably work longer hours than you ever did if you worked in corporate America or had an hourly job. You are wearing more hats than you ever have because working for yourself means you have to get it all done. Yes, you can delegate but too often resources might be tight and you are figuring you can do it cheaper and faster than anyone else can. So you are going it alone.
I’ve been in my own business for over fifteen years. I’ve had large teams working for me, and I’ve had no teams for working for me. Business has been awesome and business has been non-existent. It is alternately exhilarating and terrifying. Being your own boss isn’t for the faint of heart or those averse to risk. What has made it all work is the incredible opportunities to learn along the way and the creative solutions I’ve devised to keep my own business going when it seemed impossible.
In fact, a few years ago, I hit a rough patch. I’d moved to the mountains of North Carolina and was feeling isolated and alone. I had decided not to launch my design practice up there, but instead to focus entirely on my virtual business. I’d had some successes but it wasn’t going nearly as smoothly or easily as I wanted it to. I called in some help, or at least what I thought was help. It changed my life.
I had two calls with an online coach (this isn’t a rave review so I’m going to keep that source under my hat) who told me that he was getting lots of anxious calls from online entrepreneurs and he honestly advised that I get a job. That’s right one of those hourly things that I hadn’t held in over 15 years. I was aghast! I was also angry that this was his only line of help. But it worked.
NO, I didn’t get a job. Instead I went into high gear with what I knew and got creative. I turned my slump into success because for me the idea of returning to a job just didn’t feel like an option I wanted to even consider. That advice woke me up and lit a fire under me. I wasn’t going to go the way of the other business owners this coach had been talking to. I wasn’t going to get a job. I simply needed a reminder that if I wanted to succeed in this endeavor, I was in charge of my success and could make it happen. It wasn’t up to anyone else and wasn’t a product of anything else, including the economy.
Now, don’t misunderstand me, I’ve held a variety of jobs (those of us destined to be our own bosses, often don’t work well under others). In fact my longest stint in any position was 18 months and often a lot less. I supervised a catering kitchen and ran the hot sweaty dish machine nights and weekends way back in the early days of my business. I taught evening education courses to busy professionals. I was a Purchasing Agent in hotels, moving cities, states, and companies every eight months for five years. I banquet waitressed in college. I typed papers (way before the internet) for extra money. I’ve babysat three under five for an entire summer. There is nothing wrong with having a job, except when it isn’t what you want to do.
So, if your business isn’t where you want it to be, reach out and get the right advice that will actually move you forward on your chosen path instead of listening to someone suggest you go get a job. You have the skill, the talent and the brilliance to make it where you are in what you want to do, the only question is do you have the drive, dedication, focus and are you willing to invest in the help you need to make it happen?
I’ve been where you are, in that place of anxiety, question marks, and hesitation and I can help you face the fear, remove the stumbling blocks and ignite your potential in ways you never imagined. Are you ready to get laser focused, put your success blueprint into action, and reap the rewards? Or are you going to stay stuck on the sidelines of success while everyone else races to the finish line?
Hi Melissa
I got fixated in “having” to find a job when my business slowed at the 2-3 year mark.
I got as far as applying for a job and having an interview – at which point the interviewer commented that “I was unlikely to be able to take orders since I’d been self employed for a few years”.
Never a truer word was spoken – my experience of the corporate world has not been the collaborative experience of having my own clients!
It gave me the “kick up the butt” to do everything I could to build my business – weirdly enough just with that motivation I won a new client very soon after.
Whenever colleagues talk to me about “finding a job” I remind them that there isn’t security working for someone else and in fact they have more control running their own business.
Thanks for the timely reminder, with the latest doom and gloom news from the stockmarket in London today 🙂
Kate
Kate,
Thank you for affirming my post! Right you are, there is no security better than controlling your own destiny!
Hugs, Melissa
Hi Melissa, timely reminder indeed. I think there is a time in people’s lives when they panic about things and panic usually leads us to do or think things we wouldn’t ordinarily do. For some though, getting a job as a temporary measure might help them over the hump. Whatever solves the temporary problem is probably worthwhile but for me personally, I would rather spend many more hours on my business and find ways to make it work. BP
Beba,
I agree, what works for some, isn’t right for all. Personally the though of a job leaves me dry mouthed and with watery eyes, I’d rather chew foil! But I’m not everyone . . .
Hugs, Melissa
Okay so maybe you were reading my mind or felt my angst. Thank you for the REAL words of what it’s like to work for yourself. I’ve been dragging my feet to step based on my own fears being echoed through others words. Thanks for ringing the alarm. I’m awake now. SS
Sonya,
Yahoo! Delighted to hear it. You’ll never work harder than for yourself, but you’ll also never find anything else as rewarding.
Hugs, Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Having been an entrepreneur most of my adult career life there is this myth about going and getting a job. In my experience it holds many an entrepreneur back because it’s their escape hatch instead of fully going for it. The truth is these days is that jobs can be even harder to find than the making your business successful and the “security” of a job is pretty hard to find as well.
As entrepreneurs we need to get out there and make a difference in the world and find support for ourselves on the days as you mentioned that the challenges are getting the best of us.
Thanks for the share!
Cheri
Cheri,
Great to hear from you! Yes, it can give a false sense of hope and security. The greatest security is knowing you are in charge.
Making a difference is what it is all about, every day in every way.
Hugs, Melissa
Hi Melissa,
I’m in a slightly different situation, where I’m considering leaving a steady job and setting up a small business with someone else. However, not sure that it is the right thing to do right now in this recessionary economic clomate.
Regards,
Michael.
Michael,
There will always be reasons to stay in your job if that is what you want to do. There is never perfect timing.
Even the steadiest of jobs can have sudden changes. Do your homework, weigh your options and move forward. Stuck isn’t an option.
Oh, and is this something you can begin part time and move into it full time?
Hugs, Melissa
Great post Melissa!
If we don’t do what it takes to make it happen, it won’t. Getting a job is fine, but why not put those committed hours into your own business and take it seriously? Your point is a very good one. Let’s put some fire under our butts and so for ourselves what we otherwise would do for someone else.
With a little effort, one sale could be more than a months salary working for someone else.
If we say we want it, then let’s create it. There are scores of very talented tools and people out there to help.
Melissa. I know you have helped many people. Thanks for your honesty and “get real” voice. Your advice is always solid!
Keep up the great work of leading people towards success!
Thanks Margo!
Yes, setting a fire under our own butts is the only way to go.
It is often darkest before the light and success requires perseverance and persistence.
Most have more tools than they need and take less action than is necessary.
Cheers to forward motion!
Hugs, Melissa
Such a great reminder!
Thank you for this, Melissa!
Mindie,
You are more than welcome.
Hugs
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
What an important point to note for struggling entrepreneurs.
Getting a job to “pay the bills” could be the death of your entrepreneurial career.
Here’s my deal. I worked my online businesses – and struggled – to the point where I was living off 50 cent bags of planters peanuts for weeks. I walked everywhere – can’t afford gas with $5 in your pocket, and I was over $30K in debt. That’s what drove me. The hunger, and the desire to get out of what appeared to be a gaping hole. If I took a job, I never would have went to that place, and I wouldn’t have been introduced to my higher self.
I found out what I was REALLY made of during the lean months, because I was hungry, and if I had a J-O-B to fall back on I never would have possessed the intense drive to be doing what I’m doing.
I work online while my girlfriend and I travel Southeast Asia for the year. Bali, Phuket, Cambodia down, now we’re back in Phuket. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t been forced into becoming uber-creative with my biz, and what forced me was a do or die, burn the bridges mindset.
Thanks for sharing your insight Melissa!
RB
Ryan,
I’m honored by your share. That is a great story and I know what you mean entirely about burn the bridges. I’ve been there a time or two myself and may yet get there again. I will not give in ever to a job.
Hugs, Melissa
Thanks, Melissa. As the economy gets tighter, cash flow is trickling instead of flowing, getting a JOB has seemed like the bastion of Last Resort. I appreciate the encouragement to do some re-prioritizing and stick with the business my husband and I have. New focus. Maybe more rice and beans to eat, but it will be worth it in the end.
Brenda,
YES, it will be worth it. Trying times may test your creativity, your focus, and your will but you will come out ahead.
Hugs, Melissa
Melissa good insight and words to live by. Nice motivation and real life case study. That I need to hear at times..Good post
Thanks Doug,
Always great to hear from you! Lots of life motivation to share.
LOL!
Melissa
This is an article that makes you think “never thhougt of that!”
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