Considering Self-Employment?

John Krautzel
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If you're fed up with the limitations of working a traditional job, it might be time to consider self-employment. Working for yourself gives you the freedom to work how you want, when you want. Here are a few major benefits of self-employment to consider if you're thinking of making the switch from employee to independent professional.

Create Your Own Work Environment

As a freelancer or entrepreneur, you don't need to follow an office dress code. Dress in a way that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Another benefit of self-employment is the ability to set your own hours, letting you create a schedule that offers a better work-life balance. Take days off when you need them, and plan your hours around family time and other engagements. If you're working with clients, just keep in mind you need to work with their schedules as well.

Enjoy the Freedom to Earn More

Instead of passively hoping for a raise, you can take control of your earnings by increasing your work load or prices to meet your income goals. While this benefit of self-employment comes with the caveat of having unpredictable income, many entrepreneurs find the ability to profit more to be worth the lack of financial security.

Choose Your Own Team

Employees at traditional jobs have no control over who their co-workers are. As a self-employed worker, you can select your own colleagues, choosing people who best click with your professional and creative style. This might mean choosing an editor, designer, content writer, online assistant or service provider that can help you become the best entrepreneur you can be.

Stop Following Orders

Among the many benefits of self-employment, the ability to be your own boss is one of the most exciting. While you should still listen to the advice of mentors and strive to meet customers' demands, you have more freedom to complete your work in the way you best see fit.

Discover More Opportunities

In traditional work environments, it can be difficult to score a job without the right educational degree, past experience, and other qualifications. The ability to dive into opportunities without any qualifications is a huge benefit of self-employment. For example, you can offer graphic design services without an art degree, instead using samples of your work to draw in customers. While qualifications aren't essential, taking online courses, learning to use different software, and learning about entrepreneurship can give your solo endeavors a boost.

From setting your own income goals to being your own boss, the benefits of self-employment make ditching the traditional workplace hard to resist. While there are pros and cons of each employment choice, it's unsurprising that many professionals are testing the waters of self-employment. What are some of the other benefits of working for yourself? Share your ideas in the comments.


Photo courtesy of khunaspix at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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