Why not to leave your job...

Most people talk about how great being your own boss is. How great working from home is, how wonderful and rewarding is. Well it can be, sometimes. This isn't a rant, I love working for myself, this is a forewarning to others about the challenges you'll face.

Here's a few reasons working on your own and being your own boss stinks.

• No boss to complain about, no more complaining about your boss, you're the boss.
• There's no one to blame when there's no work, you must be proactive about getting projects.
• Like being alone? There's no one to talk to during the day except your pet, if you're busy you'll be isolated in your house. This only sounds enjoyable for a few weeks.
• Like sleeping in? No boss telling you to get your work done. You have to be self-motivated, procrastinators beware. Missing a deadline and losing a client isn't a good thing.
• Like talking to clients? There's no one selling, talking to the clients. You must constantly be looking for the next check, project and client.
• There's no one doing the accounting and making sure you're paid. Have you made bill collecting calls before? You will!
• Because there's no salesmen or accounting department. You will be doing your skill set less, if you're a designer you will be lucky to be designing 60% of the time now.
• Enjoy weekends? Get ready to work 60+ hours a week. More if you want to continue to be your own boss.
• Don't get sick, you won't have health insurance, get ready for that battle.
• Don't get sick (#2), you won't get paid if you take a day off. You don't work, you don't get paid.
• If you are very successful, you will have to hire people. Hiring people sucks. How do you pick the right person? Good luck.
• If you hire people then they are doing the fun stuff and you are spending your time selling and talking to clients.
• If you hire people you will also have to fire people. That is never fun.
• Having a business partner can be a great help. It also means you have to get permission before wiping your butt. (I checked with Steve before writing this.)

*Steve added a few of these, he's been slacking on his blogging. I let him add on my post so he feels better about himself.

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