Isn’t that a weighted question? It becomes particularly “interesting” when you find yourself on and off disability, and back and forth between doctors’ offices on a regular basis. And, more so when you have an illness and children!
There are so many questions to answer to make such a determination. Today, I offer you some things to think about if you think this might be a good solution for you.
Let’s start with the health stuff:
-Do you have the energy and mental functioning (I know what some meds can do) to be up and out of bed several hours a day?
-Do you have some reserves in savings, someone else in the household to handle the bills while you ramp up, and/or access to a loan to get you up and running?
- Do you have access to health coverage if you don’t work?
If I were to put forth my opinion, I think you have to have sustainable energy to get started. It takes a lot of consistent effort to get something up and off the ground. A good financial base would come second as the last thing you need is more stress.
Now, put your health aside for a moment:
- Do you have a dream to be independent, or have an idea that is better implemented out on your own?
- Could you, eventually, make more money on your own than at a job?
- Do you have a skill or talent that would lend itself to success in a particular business?
- Are you someone who is generally optimistic when the going gets a little tough?
Some people fall into self-employment, and some deliberately choose it. One of my very favorite clients is what I like to call “an accidental entrepreneur.” She became quite ill (prior to us working together) and in order to keep working, started working from home. She’s a mortgage broker so it was fairly easy to conduct work this way, and her employer was understanding. After tasting the freedom of working from home, she decided she liked it, and made her independence a more permanent arrangement.
This woman I describe would not have thought she had it in her to go out on her own, and may not have if she hadn’t become ill. She would probably have told you that she didn’t have all the skill an entrepreneur needs to be successful. Truthfully, that was her misguided view of herself. She is committed to customer service, has very high standards of integrity and excels at putting together good loans for people. She was most definitely trustworthy. So, she had the right stuff; she just didn’t know it. I still remember her asking me if it was ok to make her own rules about how she ran her business. You bet it is!
Like all things new and different, it eventually requires a leap of faith, one you take when the pull to give it a try is strong enough. I did it over 7 years ago, and it’s not always been great, but most definitely worth it. I’ll not go back “inside.”
What about you? Would you like to? Have you already? (I know some of you have.) If you have, how did you decide?
Joan
Well girls, you know self employment is a good idea when you loose 2 other jobs from being ill. For me there wasn’t a choice. But ya know, I would never want to go back into the corporate world. I’m a diligent and very determined person, and I like working hard for myself instead of someone else. They can have the paycheck. I’ve got my sanity, less stress and finally a life on my own terms. It’s great!
Joni Waseity Beadle is an author and entrepreneur for
In Sickness and in Wealth, a continuing education and business
developing company, inspiring others with an illness or disability
to change the focus from their illness, to focusing on their dreams and goals.
Sign up for my free newsletter at: http://www.insicknessandinwealth.com or
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Joni, were right there with you! Personally, I was demoted from a position I loved, and let go from her job I didn’t love as much, but it was equally as difficult. I, too, would never go back.
I like the line in your description of your business, “to change the focus from their illness, to focusing on their dreams and goals.” Our messages are very much aligned. There are options for all of us even though fuzzy brains and aching bodies may make it difficult to see them at times.
Joan
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Some people fall into self-employment, and some deliberately choose it.
Being our my own boss is a dream come true for me.. I have ventured in the corporate world before, and I didn’t like it..
I have been self-employed now for 6 years and have to say it is the best thing that I ever did. I got divorced had not worked for 10 years as I was raising my children and found myself bored, unable to apply for jobs as 4 weeks holiday was not enough when the children were getting 14! I set up my own nail business which fits in around the kids, holidays and I am dealing with lovely people whom have all become close friends as it is unbelievable how you become their therapist as well!!
Sharon, thanks for sharing your success so that others may see it’s possible, too. You demonstrate that no circumstance is too big to stop us from pursuing a path that is good for us, and good for “them.” Joan
in my opinion, self employment has nothing to do with illness or mental illness. but yes one just bound to home and lose the social contact.but that can be easily managed.