Dressing Up
In the early morning I would shave, shower and dress in business attire then head to a quick breakfast before I leave for the office. I felt good dressed in a pressed shirt, pants and tie. I felt important in my business attire.
Being Needed
At work my co-workers, supervisors, customers needed me. When they called or stopped by my office I felt important. I had to use project management skills to keep all the balls up in the air at the same time.
Camaraderie
At work, I had co-workers throughout the company to talk business with. We mingled and interacted on business or personal matters. The interactions were invigorating.
Stimulating Conversations
In the business world, we discuss business and work to resolve problems and challenges. We review research and respond to demands. Those conversations are stimulating and challenging. Those situations got my “little grey cells” firing.
Social Interactions
Being part of a company group often means attending social functions; lunches, dinners, parties, seminars, sporting events, holiday gatherings, etc. While these events can be fun they are also draining. Often the management required me to appear and act engaged whether I wanted to or not. It was exhausting and I felt I was a fake trying to keep people happy.
Regular Paychecks
Getting a regular, consistent paycheck is reassuring, comfortable and makes financial planning easy. However, each raise depended on the financial state of the company and the decisions of the management and the state of the economy.
Things I Don’t Miss Working for Someone Else While Running a Home-Based Small Business
Dressing Up
While running a home-based business I can get up, turn on the computer and get to work wearing sweatpants or shorts. I can shower whenever I want and eat breakfast when I am hungry. I feel good in my comfortable clothes. I don’t worry about making any impressions on anyone since I am the only one home.
Being Needed
Obligations at the office made me feel trapped. Not a pleasant feeling. At my home-based business, I am needed but on my own terms. I set the pace and decide when and who to meet.
Camaraderie
Working from home can feel isolating. However, I can accomplish a lot more without interruptions throughout the day. I decide who and when I interact with. I don’t have to be on-call and available whenever someone stops by to chat.
Stimulating Conversations
Running a home-based business means I am alone most of the time without regular conversations with co-workers. That is a challenge I miss. However, I find alternate challenges in coming up with solutions to problems that affect my business and my bottom line. If a problem arises that I can’t resolve using my wit and brain power I can call on mentors for input either in person, by phone or online. These interactions are stimulating and rewarding because the impact from them affects my business success or failure.
Social Interactions
I get to plan social interactions on my own terms. If I want to meet up with friends for lunch I can call. And since I have flexible schedules I can choose times that fit with their routines and spend as much time as I want. I can accept or decline invitations at my whim. I have to force myself to get out and engage with others otherwise I would spend most of my time alone. I make sure I remain in contact with the people I enjoy meeting up with. This is worth the effort.
Regular Paychecks
Running a home-based business means getting paid when the business has made enough profit to allow for a cash withdrawal. This can be very stressful. If profits move based on sales, I can handle this in my own way. However, it can also mean getting a pay raise as the profits increase and the business grows. As the boss, I get to decide the size of the pay raise.
Deciding to Start a Business Check List
1) Decide on what you want to and can do – determine if there is a need for your product or service. Scan the internet. If you don’t have an idea what product or service to start with, click here –
2) Search for blog posts for small home base business start-up – listen to what the writer says about steps to take to start your own business
3) Write a list for the pros and cons to start a home based small business – how will starting a business effect your income? Do you have the right mindset to start and maintain a business?
More on Deciding to Start a Business
