My entrepreneurial experience began back in 1986 – I opened my own printing company. I had been working in the printing industry for many years and even worked my way through college by working in a print shop. So when the opportunity knocked on my door to start my own company – I jumped at it!
Little did I realize the long-term implications of my decision. However, I’m almost 40 years down the road from my early choice and have not regretted one moment! And here I sit in my home in North Thailand reveling in the after-glow of many more entrepreneurial adventures.
Being your own boss (entrepreneur) is a lot different than working for someone – actually you could say it’s harder! If anything’s going to get done, you will have to be the one to do it! You and you alone bear sole responsibility of developing your business and earning money in the process.
Being an entrepreneur (we used to call it “self-employed!”) is one of the best things that can ever happen to you for many reasons, including, as I already mentioned, being your own boss, doing your work the way you see fit, having flexible hours as well as discovering what you are extremely good at.
Entrepreneurs have the privilege of trying out new and cutting-edge things and choosing to do what we are most passionate about!
For instance, when you are an entrepreneur you easily give your ideas – no matter how crazy – a try. Not worrying about the impact of spending time on something that might have an adverse effect on your financial future.
So, if you are planning on becoming an entrepreneur, stop debating if it’s the smartest thing to do because it is. Just go ahead and give it a try. You won’t regret it.
Here are some of the great things about being an entrepreneur:
1. A flexible schedule.
One of the most enjoyable things about being an entrepreneur is the flexibility that comes with it. You have the privilege of working on your own terms and choosing the method of tackling work that suits you best. Instead of doing such and such at a fixed time as your regular boss advises, you get to pick what you want to work on, when you want to begin, and how you are going to get it done.
Being an entrepreneur also enables you to spend quality time with your loved ones, take care of yourself the best way possible, and do your work the most efficient way that you are comfortable with.
2. Being able to stretch your abilities.
As an entrepreneur, you can easily try out new things, explore your interests, test how far you can go, and constantly stretch your abilities. Something that most employed people don’t do because they have no time or the right opportunity.
The best thing about exploring your interests is that it guides you into discovering your purpose and helps you live a life that you are both satisfied and happy with.
3. The ability to act on your ideas.
One thing stopping most people from living to the best of their abilities is failing to execute their ideas. They are either content with where they are, or they believe time doesn’t allow them to do so. Being an entrepreneur gives you more confidence in your abilities to create something out of nothing and to try out every brilliant idea you come up with.
You don’t fear getting into trouble with your bosses when you start paying equal or more attention to your new idea because you are your own boss. This doesn’t mean that you ignore your business. It means you have more free time to work on your idea apart from your main business.
Getting excited about your ideas, having faith in them, and executing every brilliant idea you have is the key to constantly making progress as well as sharpening your mind. All your ideas many not pan out in the end, but the freedom to experiment and experience the ups and downs, the successes and failures make it all worthwhile.
4. The ability to pursue a career which matches up with your values.
Most people lose enthusiasm and passion where work is concerned, because their job descriptions aren’t in line with their values. You may have chosen your career because of the money or because of the simple fact that it was the only option you had at the time.
However, being an entrepreneur, or your own boss, is the best way of keeping your spirits up, retaining your enthusiasm, and remaining passionate about your work. You are doing what you love! Taking what you love and believe in, and turning it into a career is “the magic formula” to performing at your best, and becoming the best in your industry.
I have a set of coffee cups I occasionally use simply because I like what’s on the cups – “Do What You Love,” and “Love What You Do!”
Choosing entrepreneurship empowers you to pick any career you desire and pursue one that’s in line with your values. You easily avoid career paths that will have a negative bearing on your conscience or belief system and pick ones that are in one accord with your principles.
Do what you love, and love what you do!
5. More control over your business.
The best thing about entrepreneurship is that it gives you more control over your business and work. As an entrepreneur, you get to choose who you want to work with and easily avoid people you are not comfortable getting into business with. You select your business partners and clients and get to choose your employees.
One of the main advantages of having such control over your organization and business processes is that you get to avoid many headaches which come with partnering up with the wrong people, employing the wrong people, or working with the wrong people.
You have a higher chance of taking your business to the next level and succeeding in life when you have more control over what you do, how you do it, and who gets involved in it.
In closing, being an entrepreneur is one of the best things you can ever do for yourself! It keeps you improving and advancing. You feel more joy and satisfaction since you are working on something you believe in and work doesn’t feel like work when you are doing what you love!
