3 Things I Hate About Self-Employment

I have become unemployable.

I love working for myself and the FREEDOM it provides me.

I have tasted what it is like to work for myself and I cannot fathom 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 HATE.

Self-Employment Hated Item #1: Prospecting and Sales

As a sole proprietor, I, and I alone, 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.

In my web design business, there are literally 100,000s of designers 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.

In my new coaching and online course business, I still have work to rebrand myself.

My family, friends, and business contacts still things I “just do websites.

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

Recently my friend Matt McWilliams introduced me to Pedro Adao.

Pedro opened my eyes to a way of “doing prospecting and sales.”

Pedro is known as “The Challenge Guy” and starting March 22, 2021 he is offering a free 5-day challenge. Pedro will share the secrets to launching a money-making challenge and get exclusive access to new challenges when you register here!

Self-Employment Hated Item #2: Uncle Sam and Taxes

Since I am both the employer and the employee, I see the amount of taxes the government (both federal and state) require I.

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

The full tax burden now is all 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.

Self-Employment Hated Item #3: Setting Boundaries With Clients

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.

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