Maybe youve dreamed of starting your own business, but youve hesitated to dive in because you dont know how to work for yourself. Having made the leap, I can say it’s not as intimidating or improbable as it seems.
Did you know running your own business used to be the norm? The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century ushered in the era of working for companies. Technological changes transformed how people earned a living back then, and the rise of digital technologies and the internet are doing it again today, making it easier than ever to transition to self-employment.
Working for yourself can seem like an exciting prospect. The flexibility and freedom are huge pluses However, being your own boss also comes with challenges Without structure, it’s easy to slip into bad habits that can derail your productivity and happiness.
If you’re embarking on self-employment, use these tips to set yourself up for success:
Create a Supportive Work Environment
When you work for yourself, your home is your office. That means you need to carve out a dedicated workspace that cultivates productivity. Try to locate your office in a quiet area of the house away from distractions. Invest in a comfortable desk and chair since you’ll likely spend long hours there. Organize your workspace so everything you need is easily accessible. Having a functional and motivating work environment is crucial when you’re your own boss.
Schedule Your Day
Lack of structure can be the downfall of self-employed professionals. Without set work hours your days can easily blend together and critical tasks fall through the cracks. That’s why scheduling your day is essential.
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Block off specific hours as “work time” when you’ll focus on business tasks only. Treat this time as seriously as you would for an office job.
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Assign different blocks for focused work, meetings, errands, etc.
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Build in breaks to recharge. Don’t schedule every single minute.
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Review your calendar every morning and stick to your routine.
Having a set schedule instills discipline and ensures key responsibilities get attention.
Prioritize Wellness
When you’re your own boss, taking care of your mental and physical health can take a backseat to business demands. However, you can’t be productive if you aren’t well. Make self-care a priority with these tips:
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Take regular 5-10 minute breaks to walk around, stretch, or meditate.
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Eat nutritious meals and stay hydrated instead of working through lunch.
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Establish a cutoff time in the evenings and avoid working past it.
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Take regular vacations, even if it’s just a staycation or long weekend off.
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Make time for hobbies and social activities you enjoy.
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Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Don’t buy into the false idea that successful entrepreneurs sacrifice their health. Taking care of yourself will boost your focus and resilience in running your business.
Leverage Technology
Technology can be an incredible asset when working for yourself. Use it to stay organized, efficient, and connected.
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Cloud-based apps like Google Drive enable you to access files and collaborate from anywhere. Rely on the cloud instead of physical storage.
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Project management tools like Asana or Trello can help you juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
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Scheduling apps like Calendly make it easy for clients to book appointments with you.
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Video chat platforms like Zoom facilitate meetings and collaboration.
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Payroll/billing services like Quickbooks automate tedious financial tasks.
The right software can streamline your workflow and minimize the administrative burdens of self-employment.
But Also Disconnect
However, one downside of technology is constant connectivity makes it hard to ever “switch off.” When your business revolves around your laptop, it’s tempting to check emails and Slack constantly. This can lead to burnout.
That’s why it’s critical to disconnect:
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Turn off notifications during work blocks so you’re not distracted.
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Establish device-free “off hours” in the evenings and weekends.
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Use website blockers to limit access to distracting sites when focusing.
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Take periodic digital detox days where you don’t check any work apps/emails.
While technology enables self-employment, you need boundaries so it doesn’t consume you. Disconnecting boosts your creativity and mental clarity.
Outsource Tasks
One perk of self-employment is building a team and delegating work you don’t enjoy. Take advantage of it. Analyze how you spend your time each week. What tasks drain you? Where are your skills best spent? Then determine what can be outsourced.
Common responsibilities that self-employed professionals outsource include:
- Accounting/bookkeeping
- Website design/development
- Social media management
- Appointment setting
- Data entry
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Outsourcing liberates you from grunt work so you can focus on your core competencies and grow your business. Just be sure to vet contractors thoroughly first.
Stay Agile
When working for yourself, conditions can change quickly. New opportunities arise. Setbacks occur. Don’t get discouraged by roadblocks. Adaptability is key for the self-employed.
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Review your business plan regularly but be open to tweaks or pivots. Don’t rigidly stick to outdated plans.
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Keep expanding your skills so you can provide new services. Take courses and certifications.
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Monitor latest trends in your industry for insights about where things are heading.
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Maintain a large network you can leverage for new partnerships and projects.
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Have a financial cushion for unexpected dips in income.
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View challenges as chances to improve. Be willing to change course.
Running your own business requires agility to weather whatever comes your way.
The Takeaway
Self-employment comes with unique demands. Without structure, your days can easily dissolve into disorganized chaos. That’s why implementing productivity strategies like scheduling, outsourcing, leveraging technology, and prioritizing wellness is so important. Those fundamentals enable you to thrive as your own boss. While it takes discipline and effort, the payoff of doing meaningful work on your own terms makes it worthwhile.
You have a viable product-to-market fit
Having passion for your pursuit is only part of what’s required. You also need to have a product or service that fulfills a market need. Otherwise, you won’t find customers.
Here’s how to determine that fit.
- What sets your business apart from competitors? Establish how you want to convey your unique business brand and proposition by formulating a positioning strategy. This also plays into how to market yourself.
- Who are your ideal customers? What characteristics do they exhibit? How can you reach them to raise awareness of your business offerings? Define your customers through buyer personas (a profile of the customer characteristics that fit your offerings), then implement customer segmentation to align your product or service as well as your marketing strategies to the right groups of clients.
- Is your product or service fully fleshed out? You must have at least a minimum viable product (an MVP, one that meets the most basic needs of a client) to put in front of customers. Otherwise, your idea may still require more time to build up to the MVP stage before you have an offering to sell.
- Test various digital marketing tips and evaluate how you’re generating most of your customers. Also interview any clients, even those who rejected your offerings, to gain insight into what to improve. These learnings allow you to determine if you’re at the MVP level, and if so, to zero in on the aspects of your offerings that are the best fit for a particular set of clients.
You’re ready to put an end to auto-pilot
With traditional employment, not only do you gain a predictable income, but part of your earnings are diverted to a 401(k) account or another retirement plan, and health insurance is provided. You work a predetermined schedule. You get vacation time. And a boss tells you what you need to do. It’s a very comfortable scenario. Starting your own business means an end to this existence.
If you’re ready to turn off the auto-pilot and begin defining the details of your life, such as what retirement looks like, then starting your own business makes sense. Yes, predictability goes out the window. In exchange, you make the choices for your life that support the goals you want to achieve.
To get to a point where you’ve outlined decisions for your business, start with a plan.
- A traditional small business plan is a good idea to run through even if you don’t intend to seek funding, and mandatory if you do. It requires you to include components such as financial projections, and this provides an opportunity to reflect on the elements of a successful business. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers business plan examples to help you get started.
- In addition to the business plan, perform planning for items such as health insurance, retirement, amounts to set aside for your quarterly tax filings, and the minimum income you require to pay your own expenses, like rent and groceries, in addition to those of your business.
- A third type of plan is also required to drive customers to your business: the marketing plan. This strategy outlines the best methods to reach customers, such as making a newsletter. Fortunately, once you’ve determined a product-to-market fit, many elements of the marketing plan will naturally fall into place.
How to Work on Yourself | Jim Rohn Personal Development
What are the different ways to work for yourself?
While there are hundreds of different ways to work for yourself, the one thing most of these have in common is that they offer flexibility. In this context, flexibility refers to the ability to make your own schedule, decide how much you want to earn (and make) a certain month, and how much time off you want to take, among other choices.
How can I cope with work-related stress?
Work related stress can be managed by developing healthy responses to fight stress. Tackle the main reason for stress. Learn methods to relax and have a healthy meal. Also take time off when you feel overwhelmed.
How do you find a way to work for yourself?
Perseverance and hard work will take you a long way when it comes to finding ways to work for yourself. That said, professionals that specialize in working independently often bring something to the table that most in-house employees don’t currently have.
How can I make a good living if I work for myself?
The idea of being able to control your schedule, work in an industry that you like, and still make a great living is enticing for a huge number of reasons. But, to achieve this goal, you need to invest time into learning how to work for yourself and identifying the best careers that give you the highest chances of success.
