Some are probably wondering where the connection between the two subjects lies. For me, it is a very important connection. When I chose to venture out on my own, I changed my world completely. Though I sometimes wonder what in the world I am doing, I could not be happier to be living the life of an entrepreneur.
For one, it allows me to stay home with my son. That was not the plan in 2004 when I first quit my job as a senior director in the health care field. Fast forward five years and that is exactly what it has allowed me to do.
There are certainly drawbacks to entrepreneurship.
My paychecks are not consistent from one month to the next. I know roughly what I will make and the way I have my business set up allows me to know a minimum that I will make regardless. However, it is not a set paycheck. Sometimes that can be fun as not having a set paycheck also means I don’t have a limit. I also don’t have to beg for raises or make my case for why I’m not being paid what I’m worth (who is?).
There are quite a few people who still don’t think I actually work even after I have successfully provided financial support for my family for more than five years now. They ask me all about what comes on television during the middle of the day and if I can run errands for them “since I’m just sitting at home anyway”. Yeah, right. It was definitely frustrating at first. In fact, I was tempted to walk around with my bank statement glued to my forehead. But I eventually got over it and now I just have those people on ignore. Too bad they haven’t figured that out yet!
There are also many upsides to working for myself.
I can fire clients who don’t meet my expectations. And I have. It was actually a very liberating experience. I no longer have to deal with micro managers or people who generally strive to make other people’s lives less than ideal. I just break off the professional relationship and look for other revenue to replace it. It isn’t always quite that simple but I decided a long time ago that there is no amount of money that is worth being treated badly.
I work in my pajamas. Literally. It is 2:30 in the afternoon and I am sitting here in sleep pants and a sweatshirt as comfortable as I could possibly be. Not to mention that I can work solely from my laptop. So I am also in the recliner with my feet kicked up. I don’t think there are too many corporate offices that would allow my style in the corner suite.
I can work as much or as little as I want. Of course, my paychecks also reflect that. But when I was working for others, I always had set hours to be at work. I am not a morning person at all so this was never very conducive to my creativity. Now, I can work when I feel best. If that is at 2am, there is no one to stop me, other than possibly my husband. I can also cram all of my work into three days and then take the rest of the week off without having to wait for my vacation days to be approved.
I’m not tied into one job. I admit that I get bored easily. My business is set up in a way that I can explore all areas that interest me. I don’t have to submit a proposal to the CEO to launch a new project or go off in a different direction. It is entirely up to me. That can be a little scary at times but it is also very freeing. And incredibly rewarding.
My success is mine. All mine. If I fail or if I succeed, it is the result of my efforts. While there is no one else to blame when things go down in flames (and they do!), it is also very inspiring to me that the successes I experience are due to my own creativity and work.
Overall, starting my own business has greatly improved my outlook. When I worked for others, I had multiple health problems including a heart condition in my mid-20s that has mysteriously cleared on its own without further medical intervention. Stress will do that to you! I would love for everyone I know to be able to spend their days doing what they love to do. There is no better way!
