The Realities of Working for Yourself

The idea of working for yourself is often romanticized. We picture ourselves working from a beach, sipping a mai tai, and being our own boss.

The reality is often quite different.

When you work for yourself, you are not just a designer, a writer, or a programmer. You are also the:

• CEO: Responsible for the overall vision and strategy of the business.
• CFO: Responsible for managing the finances.
• CMO: Responsible for marketing and sales.
• COO: Responsible for the day-to-day operations.

This means that you will likely spend less than half of your time doing the work you actually love. The rest of your time will be spent on the "business of business."

Working for yourself is not for everyone. It requires a unique combination of skills, discipline, and a willingness to do the unglamorous work that is required to run a successful business. Before you take the leap, be honest with yourself about whether you are truly cut out for the challenges of entrepreneurship.