Some years ago, I overheard a conversation about employment and retirement.
This conversation had such a great impact on me.
It forced me to evaluate my life goals.
John and Kim (fictitious names used) were discussing how much longer they planned to remain at their current jobs.
John confided in Kim that he had worked at a government job for over 20 years, retired, and took a position with a local company.
His life goals to work for another 20 years then retire for a second time baffled me.
He sounded excited as he explained cheerfully that he would have two retirement checks and benefits when he retired for the second time.
Kim chimed in by stating although she was not happy at her job due to budget cuts, the recession, and high cost of living, she had became vested after working for 10 years and intended to remain employed for another 20 years with her company.
She was in her thirties with three children, and felt this was her only secure option to making a living.
I could not believe what I was hearing.
Is a job my only option? No! Could you imagine if we did not have options available to us? I would never want to feel trapped in a dead-end job and deal with office politics for 30 years.
Owning a business is always an option.
The following are five reasons why you should start your own business.
1.
Control of Income Potential.
When you work for someone else, your income is predetermined and controlled by others.
Although the cost of living continues to increase, salaries have been cut or remain stagnant.
It appears a balance does not exist between income and inflation.
As a result, having control of income potential is a key reason why many people start their own business.
2.
Time.
Working 40 plus hours per week does not allow the freedom to spend time with friends and family.
Work hours restricts and limits the time for taking vacations, extracurricular activities, and doing the things you are most passionate about.
Starting a business requires management of time.
You set the hours around your schedule for doing and completing task.
Business ownership allows you to maximize your time wisely to allow the freedom to spend time with family and take vacations when you want to.
3.
Be Your Own Boss.
Now doesn't that sound scary but plausible? One of the hardest undertakings you could ever explore.
You are in control of the hours you work, where you will work and how each task will be completed.
The joy of being your own boss requires you to hire and fire yourself.
Make sense? You are now in charge of You Inc.
Making an income will now be based on your efforts, not a group, or a team, but you.
It's a proud feeling because now you are in charge and responsible for making an income, increasing your salary, deciding when you will take vacations and spend time with family.
4.
Use Expertise.
Starting a business allows people to invest in a hobby or the flexibility to do what they enjoy most.
Following your dreams by monetizing your strength is a great opportunity to invest in You Inc.
This is an easy task for few but a challenge for many.
5.
No office politics.
Imagine there is no one to gossip about, but yourself.
No one to blame for not getting the job done on time, no one to compete with for a promotion, no surface conversations about your weekend, or spending most of your waking hours with people you would rather not be around.
The mental vision to start a business and actually see it through fruition is a struggle that many people experience when considering leaving a "secure" job.
However, thousands of people take the leap of faith each year.
According to the U.
S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, home-based businesses account for over 18.
3 million business in the U.
S.
Will you be the next business to be added to this community of visionaries that are designing their own lives?