I have a fire inside. It's the fire of wanting to work for myself. This fire burns continuously, but sometimes it get so huge I can hardly stand the heat. Today is one of those days, this week is one of those weeks.
If I had no payments of course I could walk away from my job in a couple weeks. But of course I built this house of cards, so I must keep my job to prop it up.
So today I share my fire with you and ask for any and all input. Suggestions, opinions, etc. I'm prepared to take the good and the bad.
I'm one of those poor souls who knows a little about a lot. This often frustrates me when I try to narrow down what kind of business I could start. I shoot myself down in every idea because I don't know enough about it. Sometimes I think I could start my own doggie walking business (since many people have designer mutts that they have no time for,) but then I even convince myself that I am unprepared to handle even that.
I recently read a terrific book titled 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller. That's been over 48 days ago.
Bottom line: I think I have an inaction problem. I fear risk, which is normal, but I choose inaction to prevent risk. Can you tell I'm disgusted with myself and the current lot I find myself in?
Comments, please.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sometimes even the best jobs stink
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9 comments:
Okay, I'm all on board now. hehehe... A little slow on the uptake, but ya' know... I can't be superiorally intelligent all the time now, can I? So, photography. Right. I hear it's a natural talent of yours. There are so many different avenues you could take with that. Paparazzi, artistic, weddings, babies, yada, yada, yada. Anyway, I DEF think it should be something you LOVE to do. No sense in being in a field of work you don't love. What is life and the "pursuit of happiness" without risk? I'm talking your leg off, AGAIN! hehehe...
Believe it or not, inaction is one of the most commonly used risk-avoidance tactics-particularly in business! But, the simple fact that you've acknowledged that is proof that you're on your way.
My question for you (having both been an employee, and an employer) is, why do you want to "work for yourself"? Because here's the thing that I've found: you can-and will-be successful at ANY endeavor, whether you know it well or not, as long as you are FULLY COMMITTED to it. Most of the horror stories you hear about people in business for themselves folding up are a result of their lack of commitment and discipline, not because they weren't in the best business for them. The simple fact is, life is INFINITELY more difficult when you're "working for yourself"-because you aren't; you're working for EVERYONE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS, AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS. THEY are your boss-you aren't your own boss!
And you know what? It's pretty stressful having that weight, perpetually, on your shoulders! But the truth is-it's not really risky, especially if you have the determination and fortitude (which you do).
Hey Shegazelle! Thanks for stopping by our blog. Hey I agree if your into photography that is a very fun line of work. My husband had a photography business on the side as a hobby for a while before we moved to AZ and he loved it and did very well even in the small town of Kerman. And truthfully as far as financing goes, its not a very pricy business to start or run.
I actually went to college and majored in photography, I stopped about 3 classes short of completion. I decided I liked taking photographs for my own pleasure, but the few jobs I've done for other people- I hated it. #1 for some reason I felt uncomfortable either making people pose or smile, and #2 because I am deathly afraid of something going awry with the photos of someones special event. I did a job in June, just because gazelles can't pass up extra money, but I can't bring myself to do it for a living. Also, I sold all my equipment after college, and I'm ashamed to show up to an important gig without a good Nikon...
BUT, because you've all brought it up, I will ponder the thought.
pj, the answer to your question of why I want to work for myself probably is a multitude of reasons. When you work for some one else, you help make their business successful. Why wouldn't I want to channel those energies into making myself successful? When you work for yourself, you are compensated for completed, quality work (at least that's the idea anyway.) As it is now, my reward for completing quality work is I get to stay till 5 then come back tomorrow and do it all over again.
I could go on.
And I TOTALLY understand who's really the boss. Even now the customer is my boss. It is gratifying to provide good service and product.
Zig Ziglar says it best, the way to get what you want is to help other people get what they want.
Now I just gotta find out what they want!
Have you ever considered writing?
I have to agree on the Photography with everyone else, but yet I understand what you mean about the fear of something going wrong!
How about a kids boutique over there in the huge and ever growing "Hangout" near Borders, Target, Starbucks, Starbucks, Mimis, Macaroni Grill..etc is!
I'll come work for you and you can carry my bows lol!
OR, how about advertising for a "hair design" for weddings etc..
OR, how about a party planner! You can charge the BIG BUCKS to plan peoples parties and decorate for them. I posted an ad in craigslist down here in the IE for a party planner..I go to the house and decorate, provide the cake punch whatever it is they want..and just add it into the cost!!! I had a TON of responses back right away..and actually got a job out of it!
Just some ideas :)
pj- no, I've never considered writing. What forms could actually be profitable?
And, thanks guys for the suggestions- keep 'em comin'. When I make it big from your idea, I'll take you out to dinner at Flemmings! :-D
Well, I'll be honest shegazelle, I'm not quite sure.
I've made VERY LITTLE money, personally, writing. I did some freelance writing a few years ago, and made a pittance doing it (had fun, but very little money for the work that I did). Not to say there isn't money in freelance work-just not in the stuff I did.
There's obviously HUGE money in writing (fiction, non-fiction, self-help, even personal finance). You might try starting with articles in various periodicals. Many of them will accept submissions from freelancers. Find a few magazines that are "of interest" to you, peruse the various types of articles that they do publish, then go for it! It's worth a shot, at least, and it's not nearly as difficult as you might think!
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