RE: The Value of Consistency and Perseverance
Self-employment is choosing to work 80-100 hours a week when needed instead of 40. It's not waking up and calling in sick to go to the beach. If you are not actively working you are usually not bringing in income. Even if you already have things set up to sell if you choose to not be active they will run out. The only “magic pill” is if you are able to find a way to add commercial value constantly to your product, and have customers already lined up. Some people are really good at that and can sell air at a premium when it’s already free.
Most people are just not cut out for it. They like to think they don’t require a boss or a company structure with deadlines. Not everyone is good at time management, finding a commercial use or adding commercial value, talking with customers, resolving customer complaints, troubleshooting technology issues on their own. People often take short cuts thinking they are saving time or money for it to be the opposite. At the end of the day things just take time and move slower then you like. Most are unwilling to put in the required time.
Yes, self-employment requires a lot of self-discipline. It's working 120% without knowing for sure that the effort will pan out financially. It also means always putting other people first, whether it's employees or customers. This might be where many people shoot themselves in the foot by optimizing short-term gain and ultimately losing credibility and trust with their team and clients, both of which are necessary but not sufficient for long-term success.
Exactly! And if you're serious about your business... it's a long-term proposition. You can't afford to just think of what to do for immediate gain.
@enjar, not that many people I have met have been that well suited to self-employment... I'd almost say they were better "contractors" than self-employed people because they couldn't handle the long term grind.
You have to be ready to be "on" pretty much all the time. I sit here and type these words while at work at the small art gallery my wife and I have... and use the spaces in between customers to post on Steemit, which might also throw a few dollars our way.
Reminds me a bit of the old self-employment joke:
"Wow it must be great to work for yourself and not have a boss! You get to set your own hours and have freedom"
"Absolutely! I can work ANY 80 hours a week I choose to!"
::: crickets chirp :::