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Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Be Your Own Boss

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If we learned one thing from the job market over the past few years, it’s that nobody’s coming to take care of our careers. We can’t wait for a big bailout, a massive economic turnaround or some miracle to grow our paychecks. We’re each responsible for taking charge and making things happen for ourselves. And that’s why you should consider working for yourself! Here are 10 reasons why it’s good to be the boss:

1. You work the hours you want
Want to start work at 2pm? Sure, you’re the boss! As is always the case in business; the more work you put in, the higher its chance of success – however, if you have a great team around you that can handle the heavy-lifting, then you can sit back and reap the benefits, Tony Stark style!

2. You make all the money
To some people, this is what business is all about. Don’t forget, you’ll have overheads and wages to consider, so you don’t actually make all the money. But hey – it’s your company so you get to decide what happens with the profits!

3. You get creative control
Having the final decision on the direction your business goes in is not one to be taken lightly, but it is one that allows you to challenge your brain and put your creativity to the test. Regardless of what your vision incorporates, it’s your vision – and when it all works out (which it will), you get to show off!

4. You can do what you’re interested in
One of the oldest business sayings goes along the lines of ‘if you do what you love, then success will follow’. We could spend all day discussing what ‘success’ means, but as far as I’m concerned – if you’re running a business doing what you love, then you’re already far more successful than 99% of the other people on the planet!

5. You get all the glory
In one form or another, it’s happened to all of us. You have an idea or finish a project at work only for someone else to swoop in and take all the glory. When you own the business, you automatically become the front man so the glory will always be yours!

6. You don’t have to commute
No longer will you have to drive, cycle or even hitch-hike the lengthy commute to work. You’re the boss, so you decide where your headquarters will be located. Office building down the street? No problem. Your kitchen table? You got it. Stay in bed and fire up the laptop? You get the idea.

7. You get to live an interesting lifestyle
For all I know, your life may already be pretty interesting, but if not – think about Richard Branson. Have you ever heard a story about him sat behind his desk filing a tax return? Nope. Ever heard a story about him nearly dying in hot air balloons and hanging out with celebrities on his own private island? I rest my case.

8. You don’t have to suffer fools
Something we can all relate to is ‘that guy’ in the office that epitomises Dwight from … The Office. From the outside looking in it’s hilarious. Experiencing it first hand is a different story altogether – and as the boss is one that you will have the power to put an end to permanently.

9. You can remain healthy
One of the hardest things about working 9 to 5 is that after it’s time to call it a day, you don’t always feel like hitting the gym. If you’re the boss, you will have no such problem – you can either create a huge workout complex like they have at Google, or more simply just cancel your afternoon meetings to go rock-climbing or whatever else you feel like.

10. You will be the boss
Think about it – you’re making the decisions, you’re making the money, you’re hiring and firing… you’re the boss! Starting up on your own is not a decision to be taken lightly, but nothing is better than waking up in the morning with a feeling of being in complete control of your own destiny.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Sujeet

    March 5, 2012 at 10:16 am

    I’ve been my own boss since 2005, and you definitely hit on some valid points. But I’ll be honest with you, there are some downsides as well:

    1) I usually work 50-60 hours a week.
    2) I don’t get paid vacations.
    3) The lack of social interaction sucks.
    4) I’ve actually gained weight!

    Now, the weight thing is my own fault. At my old job, we had a gym at work, and I’d get my workout in during my lunch hour. These days, I have a hard time finding the time to make it to the gym.

    On the flip side, my lifestyle is beyond interesting (doing some of the coolest things imaginable), and I don’t miss that miserable hour-long commute! Heck, I only put 4000 miles on my car last year..

  2. Andrew

    March 5, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Yeah it’s kind of an idealised version of why you should start your own business – I’d kill to only be doing 60 hours per week!

    I’ve had an amazing experience though so far – got some crazy stories to tell and met some amazing people. And my business ahd only been trading for 5 months!

    Cheers,

    Andrew

    (I wrote the post)

  3. Rich Lavene

    March 5, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Yeah, based on this article we should all do it!

    Not so cut and dry on application. I dream everyday of doing something on my own, capitalizing on my strengths…unfortunately when thinking it out, it’s hard not to focus on my weaknesses!!

  4. Ryan Thomas

    March 5, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Sujeet don’t forget the most important one

    #0 You can work naked.

    But not really, for those that can wake up and sit at home for a couple hours lounging around in your boxers while working on the comp… it’s the life.

    • Sujeet

      March 5, 2012 at 3:37 pm

      Haha.. I’ve done that before Ryan. 🙂

      I do think it’s important to get dressed, even when you’re working from home. It just puts you in the right mindset and everything.

  5. Francesco

    March 9, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    I’d love to be my own boss, but it’s easier said than done.

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