They say marriage, birth, death, changing residence, and changing jobs are five of
more stressful situations that a human being can encounter---they all take a lot of courage. Courage, however, doesn't pay bills. To be successful, you not only need courage, but you also need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and several personal factors that can ensure your success.I made change from being full-time employed to self-employed after years of preparation. Some people have time to prepare, while others have to make an immediate decision. Downsizing and job loss are two major reasons for starting out on your own. Other reasons may be that you want to take advantage of your talents or simply change careers. There are many reasons. But, if you still have a job, why leave? Right? Maybe not.
--- Influencing Factors ---
Before you can take leap into being Gainfully Unemployed, you have to step back and look at things to make sure you're making right decision. First, analyze why you want to make this move.
The reasons that make people decide can be divided into two categories: "reactive reasons" and "active reasons." Reactive reasons detract from working for others---negative reasons that "push" you out. Active reasons attract you to leaving your current situation---positive reasons that "pull" you out. It is usually better to be pulled out than pushed out as reactive reasons tend to stick with you from job to job. If you're pulled out, you're going somewhere for greener pastures instead of leaving because you've become dissatisfied with policy.
In either case, following list contains some of more common active reasons that cause people to leave their full-time jobs:
* Finances: Get paid for extra effort you put into your work. * Freedom: Decide for yourself and maintain a flexible schedule. * Quality of Life: Live a better and healthier life. * Family: Spend more time with your family. * Adventure: Break out of mould and take a risk. * Bureaucracy: Tired of red tape and political in-fighting. * Creativity: Express your ideas and produce your products without interference. * Control: Take total control of your life and your direction.
Can you see any of your personal reasons listed? If so, you're not alone.
--- Do I have what it takes? ---
Most people do have what it takes, but they don't know it yet. Being able to work independently is not as easy as working for someone else, especially since you become workforce and management. Once you take first step and decide to work for yourself, you then have to make it happen, successfully. That's an entirely different situation.
It takes a certain set of characteristics to make an independent endeavor successful. Some of more common, yet unique, traits of successful independents are as follows. Pay attention to them a judge yourself for each!
* Achievement Many people measure their achievement based on income, while others through their accomplishments. You'll need to gauge your success on your accomplishments and achievements. This means that you must accomplish your goals and move forward to next in an established pattern.
* Social It's a lonely world out there, and being independent amplifies this issue. To be successful, you can't have a need to be around people all time, nor should it matter if you're liked. Exercising power is important to many people and, in most cases that's all that some people know how to do. You're in business to achieve your goals, and that's all there is to it. Be a non-conformist!
* Commitment You have to be able to follow through on a commitment. This means that when you sign a contract or shake a hand, you're in to end.
* Objectivity With commitment comes need for an objective view. You need to weigh risks associated with a course of action as well as be realistic about your abilities.
* Expertise With your technical expertise and experiences, you should be able to properly judge your projects to determine if you can succeed.
* Attitude You'll encounter strange, new worlds and you will have to adapt, learn, and succeed under new circumstances. Always be optimistic and always maintain your emotions when dealing with others. Be positive!
* Money Don't take money for granted and try to view it as a means to an end. Use money as a way to accomplish things and to keep score in your new world.
* Resourceful You have to think on your feet, have enough knowledge to know where to look for answers, have a networking group available, and be a solid problem solver.
* Relationships Personal relationship skills are important, as you will need to properly represent yourself and your company under all circumstances.
* Communication Skills Communications skills are important, as you will need to provide legible presentations, reports, e-mail, and documentation to your clients.
* Anticipate Be proactive and be able to anticipate developments before they occur. If issue is an important one, act on it before issue requires attention.
* Organized Be able to maintain a tight, prioritized schedule and make sure you don't waste time on items that are better left undone.
* Discipline and Hard Work Sit down and do work. Ignore distractions and make sure you accomplish your goals.
How do your personal traits match up against those mentioned above? Take note that age, sex, martial status, and education have very little to do with actual success of anyone deciding to become an independent. Many people succeed as teenagers while many don't feel desire to even try until they are in their late 40's.
If information doesn't sound like you, then you'll need to think long and hard about your decision. In some cases, you can learn those aspects you're missing. In others, your ability to succeed is left up to your ability to adapt. Another option is to hire others to handle those tasks, or provide those traits, that you're missing. For instance, if you're a poor organizer, hire a secretary to manage your schedule or hire a project manager to handle your anticipation and objectivity issues.
