Friday 1 May 2015

Working for yourself, starting at the beginning




 
I have written a lot about the problems of being unemployed and how to make money  but today I am going to go right back to basics and write about what might motivate you to work for yourself .

You are over 40, disabled, you have health problems that severely limit the work you can do and are being told by the government that you are not entitled to disability benefits, you have to get a job. Or, maybe you are just tired of the rat race and the thought of years more of the 9-5 routine working for an employer. What you do for an employer, you could do for yourself, and so you are thinking of starting a business

However, that is as far as it has got, you think about it. You think about it but know that you will take ages if at all to replace the salary you have, or that it seems far too risky to come off benefits, low as they are at least it goes in your bank account regularly.

So, before you make the leap, take a real honest and grounded look at your situation. You want to improve your life, not make it even more difficult than it is now …

Most people have the potential in them to do and be anything they want within sensible reason. However, many people do not really know what they do want, or certainly not what their priorities should be and what they should want.

So, set out to discover exactly what it is that you want and need, but do remember that these may not be the same things and some things like being able to pay the bills are a priority.

Know what you want and need and where you need to head for. If you don’t know then ask yourself:

a)      What would pay the bills and give you financial stability? , it does not have to mean being rich, but able to pay your bills
b)      What do you enjoy doing?
c)      What do you want to do with the rest of your life?
d)     What are your skills and talents and where does your experience lie?  
e)      Do you need to update your skills?

Write down all your possible answers to the above questions. 


Now it might well be that you want to win a Grand Slam at tennis. While it may be unlikely that you will do so, you could make good use of your tennis knowledge or knowledge about anything else. Start a blog and sell affiliate items related to your interest, look for companies that pay, wanting articles on your subject, maybe open a shop related to your interest.

Others may disagree with you that you can and should do this, but you should be firm with it if you truly believe that you can do this.   Others may offer comments or advice, and it will not always be positive, especially if they are people who care about you or are dependent on you e.g. paying the mortgage  and want what they think is the most secure way for you to have an income, that is in their opinion that you get a regular job. 

However, sometimes the thing to do is just go for it …Too many lives have been lived in quiet desperation waiting until – until they had saved a nest egg, until the children are out of school, until I retire, and they depart this life before “until” ever arrives.

Start thinking about how you can turn your skill, interest or experience into a business and an income, research advice on how to make money at it and research the many online sites about starting a business,.

There will always be bills, things will always break down eventually and need replacing, but properly planned and thought out, you can start that business and take steps towards a successful outcome.

Valerie Hedges 

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