While self-employment can be a great way to
be your own boss there are some mistakes that can make a self-employed
person unhappy. While you may have started working on your own you can take
some important steps that will keep you going while you run your own office.
Time
This is a very crucial constraint, more so, when you are self-employed. You
have to set your own time limits for doing things and keep up with them. You
have to be absolutely result-oriented. Keep your goals in line with the
results. Check how much time you take to finish assignments.
The idea should be of churning out good work in a day’s time. Just because
you feel you have all the time now you may earn less due to working lesser
day. The only difference should be that you are in a different place. You
keep your own time so do it wisely.
Finance
A major issue in a business that requires a lot of investments is finance.
Finding finance and using it wisely. Finding investors can be difficult so
ensure you have first found them. Use the funds wisely. Do not go overboard
in the beginning. Keep money aside for reasons you haven’t thought of. You
just might need it suddenly so don’t use up all resources, it can be really
risky.
Deadlines
Keep up with deadlines. Missing deadlines can mean delay in work and delay
in payments. It also means a bad professional take towards ones work. It
does not help building yourself as a brand. Finish the work before the
deadline to make sure you can handle issues before you touch the deadline.
Follow Up
Always follow up with clients. It’s a good practice to stay fresh in their
minds. Sometimes not following up on projects may show as disinterest. Do
not hound with phone calls but leave messages or mails regularly or just
catch up informally. It can help you a lot. It can be a big mistake to avoid
clients. Always state reasons for you not being able to deliver and inform
beforehand.
Taking a plunge before time
Never jump into self-employment before you give it a try. Always try it out
while you are doing your regular job. Watch how you are performing. Do you
have enough number of clients that are giving you as much work as your
current job? Will you be able to sustain yourself on your own? Only when you
are sure, make the switch. If you feel you are bored of your job and want
some freedom then it is not a good idea to plunge unprepared.
Dream of being a millionaire right away
Many people want to be self-employees since they have heard a lot of success
stories and how people make money i n less time, without the worries of
going to work .If that would be the case then who would think of working
full time. Every success story has a lot of hard work behind it - Late
nights, early morning and oodles of work. A natural law of give nad take
applies to earning money too. The more you work the more you earn.
Similarly, if you wish higher designations or posts they come with a whole
lot of responsibility and answerability. If you have a million dollar plan
then be ready to put millions of hours into making that plan real.