The first step to becoming self-employed is to decide what to actually do. Where do your interests lie and what particular skills and training have you had. Is it viable – is anybody going to want what you have to offer ? Many people use this as an opportunity to re-train and do something completely different with their lives. Maybe take up a niche or service based business.
Another factor is how much money is there to invest in setting yourself up, is there finance or support available and how long can you support yourself before you need to make a profit ? A franchise can sometimes be a good opening at a time like this, as there is already a business model and corporate strategy in place. The truth is that 80% of new start ups fail in the first two years. 80% of the 20% that make it are franchises, but it is important to choose the right business for you.
Some of the answers to these questions may well mean that you have to consider reigning in some of your initial enthusiasm, or perhaps they will mean that you have to really work at formulating your ideas and putting together a solid business plan to justify getting a business loan.
Finding work initially involves identifying a particular interest or skill that you have and then deciding how to market that skill. Sometimes listing those skills and then creating a brand for yourself can be an effective way of marketing yourself and your new business. Putting together good quality stationery by way of leaflets, flyers, business cards, etc, can help in promoting yourself as a professional business rather than as a small scale beginner. It can be a worthwhile investment and can also help you to clarify your goals and target market.
Be aware of potential scams. Never send off money to pay for work and check out what you are looking to get involved involved in. Get advice. Trust your instinct.
Sometimes looking at small companies that may need part time expertise in your field can be a good way of getting into the market, gaining experience and making connections. They may not want or be able to afford full time staff, but a part time option may be an excellent answer to their problems, whilst getting your foot into some doors and introducing yourself to people.
When you are starting to work from home it is important to create a positive environment for yourself. Take yourself seriously and invest in a proper work station. Several things have to be considered and taken into account. A comfortable office chair is an important investment – you will no doubt be spending a lot of time in it, at least at first. Portable office equipment is useful, as it can be stored away when not being used. A filing system is essential, especially if you are working in different companies or on different projects. Convenient telephone access is vital and a telephone extension socket for your computer.
Keeping motivated can be a challenge as working on your own or from home can be lonely at times. Structure each day. Have a routine where you get up, have a shower, get ready for work and then aim to start by a certain time. Proper breaks for coffee or lunch are important, and be sure to use these breaks to get some fresh air if possible, so that you can get out of the office for a little while. Some people find that Counselling and Hypnotherapy can help in addressing underlying fears and insecurities and enable better confidence levels and motivation to surface.
Use contacts from your business life to keep up-dated in what is going on in the wider business world. Think of making use of networking opportunities by joining some of the business clubs and associations, looking out for conferences and using the internet social media connections to let potential clients know about you and what you have to offer.
Self-esteem can sometimes be hard to maintain, especially if you were in a high-powered job and are now starting out again from scratch. Appreciate that it can take time to define your new role, and the boundaries at first may feel a little uneasy or unsure. Working from home as well as running a home can sometimes become hard to separate and it may be important to get help at first to allow you to concentrate on getting the new venture off the ground. Sometimes a supportive partner is available to help. Other times it may be worth paying someone to help with the domestic chores so that you can really focus on what you need to be doing with your time.
Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist
www.lifestyletherapy.net