Just about everybody these days talks about starting their own business. The idea of being your own boss, earning as much as you like, and scheduling your time as you want seems attractive. However, not everybody is cut out for this, and you want to proceed carefully, so as to not waste time on a dream or whimsy that is not very likely to succeed. Michael Dadoun, Upclick CEO and Lavasoft board director, says that identifying your strengths and weaknesses early on will save you from pain later. Here are some of the things that indicate that you might be better off with your 9-to-5 job.
You don’t have a clear strategy
You don’t know what type of products you want to sell. You have no idea where to start market research – and you don’t want to learn either. You have not figured out if there is a lot of competition for your products. With this sort of mindset, the going would be difficult for you.
You lose interest easily
Either you give up too soon, or you run out of patience early on during the process of acquiring capital. Or maybe a single failure is enough to demotivate you. If you don’t have the winners attitude, the resilience that successful entrepreneurs have, you are unlikely to last too long in the field.
You crave security
This is not to say running your own business does not offer security. Indeed, it can offer wealth, fame, and security even greater than a regular job. That said, if you are shaky about the basics, and wondering how your family will hold up during the three months it takes to get your first contract, you might revisit your entrepreneurial goals. Michael Dadoun recommends building enough savings to buffer you against unexpected failures, when before starting a business.
You are poorly organized
There are people who are talented but poorly organized, and they need the guidance of a supervisor to put forth their best work. On the other hand, some people feel that working a regular job or for an organization not their own, curbs their creativity. If you are among the former, with zero management skills, and not any efficiency in organizing, you might want to stay offer the path of entrepreneurship.
You are uncomfortable with unknown territory
If you are unable to keep up with new technology, or find new ideas to be too disruptive, running your own business can be difficult. You might prefer working under a supervisor, who can offer solutions when needed. Michael Dadoun from Montreal suggests learning all you can about your field of choice, before venturing into a business.
These are just a few indicators that you are not ready to run your business yet. This does not mean you should shelve the idea completely. A few weeks or years down the line, you might have gathered more courage and resolve, not to mentioned expertise, and then you can dive into your dream of running your own business.
