Entrepreneurship – Save Yourself!

A conventional method of earning an honest wage is known by working a conventional job. A job at a typical Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, is what most people have grown accustomed to and sees it as safe. Our current economical flaws have tainted the comfort and security of this, which is why more people now than ever are beginning to realize that the only entity that will truly be honest with them, is themselves. More and more today, people are counting the costs only to discover that what once was secure and promising is nearly a thing of the past.

There was once a time where a person would have had one or two jobs their entire lives. They would work for a company 30 years and retire comfortably. Today, the average person holds job anywhere from 1 to 3 years, if that. The dynamics of the work-force has changed so much to where it seems as if there is no dignity, no respect and no positive outlook on employment. Much of this is not only on the shoulders of employees; employers should bear the burden on this too.

You’ve completed high school, attended and graduated college. Or, college just wasn’t your thing and you discovered other means of survival. You’re educated, marketable and have already drawn a lay-out of how you’re going to climb the corporate ladder. Well, if the company you work for happens to survive another month, it’s not necessarily an indication that your particular position is safe.

Down-sizing, cutting-costs, out-sourcing, internal changes and whatever else they’re calling it is why we need to stop and look around at those that have fallen and start making preparations. Do not panic and start looking for another job. One of two things will happen. You either won’t get the job because no one’s hiring anyway, or, you’ll get the job and be laid-off within a year.

It has become apparent that no one is safe. Every couple of months or so, companies hold periodic budget meetings and this is where they find areas that they can either financially afford to improve on or get rid of altogether. If you’re able to, have your own an exit strategy already in place. Continue to work as usual, but keep in mind that everyday someone gets cut. You may be lucky enough and survive all of this, but there’s so much uncertainty.

One way to slowly transition into the possibility of having to earn your own keep, start taking your hobbies seriously. Sure, there may be some things that you do on the weekends that are pure fun and something to simply pass away the time. But go down the list and see what you find that maybe you can turn into a viable business.

I find entrepreneurship happening in one of four ways:

* After solving one of your own problems and other people coming to you for help.
* Tired of working for other people and following procedures that make absolutely no sense.
* A new way of doing something that already exists but in a more efficient or cost-effective way. Why recreate the wheel?
* Loss of employment.

To help get things moving, here is a list of questions to ask yourself:

* What are some of the things you find yourself doing in your spare time?
* What things are you knowledgeable about that keep people coming to you about?
* What things do you think about that get you really excited?
* What things can you talk about for hours on end?
* What did you always want to do for a living, but you ended up getting “a job” to pay the bills?
* What can you do with your eyes closed? What can you do without even thinking about it?
* What do people always compliment you on?
* Even at your job, what do others say you’re really good at doing in the office?
* What are some of your favorite movies or music? Maybe you can create an income in entertainment?
* Comic Books are big movie-makers today. Maybe you can create a new villain, or good guy.
* Like to draw? There you go.
* Like to write? There’s another one.
* Love to cook? Maybe you can cater, from home.
* Always in the mirror yourself or do you enjoy making people look their best? Go into the beauty business.
* Do you enjoy business administration? Help more than one company and become a Virtual Assistant, from home.
*Do you always have a hard time finding clothes that fit right or shoes that fit right? Create prototypes of what you like, design it and start your own line. I can almost guarantee that whatever issues you’re having, others are too. Solve a problem (strong piece of advice).
* Enjoy talking to people and helping them to figure things out? Become and start your own counseling business. Be a personal Coach.
* What outdoor activities do you enjoy?

These questions should help give you ideas on where to start and how to think about this. There is tons of information on the internet that can inform you on how to actually get started on your way to entrepreneurship. Best of all, many of these can be done from home.

People go into business for themselves for many reasons. Some have a choice and have the money, and some loose their jobs and have no choice. A lot of us are somewhere in between. Find your place and start living out your dreams. Entrepreneurship is not always easy, but it is very rewarding. Do a lot of research, take good notes and calculate your costs. But the most important thing is to take one step at a time. Time, effort, knowledge and passion for whatever you decide to do, will get you where you want to be at the right time.

Wishing you the best success.