It’s time for me to step on some more sensitive toes in a topic we all love to discuss: running your own business.

Every “self-help” or “business” site tells us that the “man” we’re working for is the devil, “9 to 5″ is for losers and there’s nothing more exciting than being your own boss. Many of our parents were pleased to just have a nice job and just ignored all the drama, many of us want “more” from our lives and expect to do well.

One of the things some employees day dream is their own business, with their own employees they can “abuse”, just like their boss is doing to them. Some do have all it takes for success, while others just run from a bad working environment and want to have their own “toy” to play with.

Most of these sites and most of the people who think about their own business, don’t think “AM I REALLY CUT FOR THIS?”

I assume the answer wouldn’t please too many just as many of you might frown now that I dare ask this. No, really, do you think you’ll be able to make it? Do you have what it takes? Why are you running from employement? If you are a lousy employee what makes you think you’ll be a good business man?

Why do you have a bad experience at work?

In some cases you have to deal with bad management. Your boss doesn’t have any people skills, he/she is abusive even stupid in some cases. You cannot advance since there is no one to actually see your value. No matter how much you work and how good you really are, no one will notice. If that’s the case, then maybe you’ll do better

What might make you a lousy employee?

• you don’t show up on time - sure, when you’re the business owner you can come at work whenever you can. Not really. If you’re not serious with your schedule you won’t get your firm through its first year. Being a business owner means more work hours and a tighter schedule.
• you’re always late with your assignments - in this case your boss is getting the beating. If your firm is always late with the deadlines, you’re killing it on your own.
• you’re moody and unpleasant towards the others - have you ever thought you need to have amazing people skills? You need to be nice and still firm to your employees and amazingly tactful and pleasant when it comes to your clients. Yes, sometimes they can be really unpleasant and you have to keep a wide smile on your face even while thinking about ways to kill them painfully.
• you take no new challenges, you don’t want to learn more - it’s nice having a “warm” job. You just sit there and pretend to work, while making sure your involvment remains minimal. You don’t want to take on more challenges, you dislike stress. And still you dream about the day you’ll run a business. You don’t want to learn new things, you’d sit on your a.s all day long. Do you really think you’ll make it?
• you have problems with solving your tasks, you lack the knowledge most of the time - you got that nice job, even if you’re not that well prepared. The good thing is people don’t quite see you’re still behind schedule and also come pretty unprepared in your niche. Coroborated with your lack of interest to learn more, this can lead to an awful employee. And a horrible business owner.

Try to REALLY look at yourself as an employee. How much do you think the company benefits from you? How hard are you really working and how much effort do you put into bettering yourself? Are you always interested in challenges? Do your coleagues see you as a good one? Do they respect your skills and determination?

If you come to the conclusion you’re far from being a good employee, try to work more on this. Don’t come with excuses: “I dislike the boss”, “they don’t deserve me”. TRY to be a top employee and see how much you can improve. The moment you’ll really feel like your job gives you no more challenges and you “suffocate” there, I am sure you are ready to go on the next level: become your own boss and run your business. You will have all you need: skills, knowledge, willingness to work, tact, focus, determination. These are the magic ingredients for your success.

Filed under: Mean but true by ramona