3 Things I Can’t Stand About Self-Employment

I am unemployable. I love working for myself.

I have tasted what it is like to work for myself and I am hard-pressed to think of what it would take for me to become an employee again.

Again, I love being self-employed.

That being said, there are at least 3 things about self-employment that I can’t stand.

Sales

As a sole proprietor, I am solely responsible for bringing in new clients and increasing revenue from existing clients. In other words, I am in “Sales”.

The thing about sales I do not like is that my product is me and my abilities.

As a web designer, there are literally 100s of thousands of people all around the world that can create a website. These range from talented professionals to business owners that use a template service to build their own.

Whether I am trying to convince my friend to go see a movie I just saw or when I talk with a prospective client about my services, the important thing to do is to share my enthusiasm.

When I see a movie that I like, I tend to tell everyone that I meet how awesome the movie is. I get no commission or kickback from the movie company so why do I do it? Because I want to share something I am excited about with someone that could benefit from the movie (they experience joy or a thrill, etc.)

When it comes to designing a website for someone or redesigning an existing site, I am enthusiastic about helping the person or company to attract more clicks and represent themselves better in the online realm.

The difference is now there are dollar signs associated with that help.

While I am proficient enough in sales that my family continues to enjoy living indoors, eating, wearing clothes, and going on an occasional vacation.

Two books that truly helped me overcome my apprehension with sales were Overlap: Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job by Sean McCabe* and How to Write Copy That Sells by Ray Edwards*

Taxes

As both the employer and the employee, I see the amount of taxes the government (both federal and state) require that I pay to them.

When I was an employee, my employer picked up part of that tax burden.

Now the full burden falls on me.

While there a numerous tax benefits of being self-employed, it takes time to learn them or it takes money to pay an accountant to help me find them. I have tried both options and will continue to utilize my accountant and my own research.

Boundaries

In my last corporate job, with two or three exceptions, I never worried about the company calling me after hours or on weekends.

As a self-employed web designer, I get calls, texts, and emails from clients at all times of the day and night.

It has become necessary for me to turn my phone to silent when attending church on Sundays since clients have been known to text me a question or concern which could easily have waited until Monday.

It has taken time and effort to set boundaries with clients. It becomes harder when you are friends with them.

It was fairly simple to implement what I learned in Dr. Henry Cloud’s book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life*.

Well Worth It

Even with these three problem areas, I am unashamed in my belief that the majority of people can and should be self-employed.
The freedom that comes with self-employment is life-giving.

---

This is a modified version of a post that was originally posted on my previous blog, FaceYourGoliaths.com