The Advantages of Being Self-Employed
<p>Do you dream of becoming self-employed and being your own boss? So, what's stopping you from taking the plunge? Of course, with more power comes more responsibilities, and also great aspects of this work to try. Momenteo asked several freelancers what they liked most about being self-employed. Here is a summary of their answers and we hope it inspires you!</p>
<h3><strong>Long Live Flexibility</strong></h3>
<p> The first thing that freelancers mentioned was how much they are in love with the flexibility that comes along with being self-employed. They have more control over their schedule. They no longer do the 9 to 5 routine, get stuck in traffic, and race to pick up their children from the daycare. Perhaps you are more productive in the evening than in the morning. Do you feel more creative Saturday afternoons? By becoming self-employed, you can decide your schedule or at least have more control over it. It also gives you more free time to do things outside of work. Several freelancers said they love being able to make a hassle-free appointment on a Tuesday morning or going to the gym on weekdays when no one is there.</p>
<p> As well, you also have the flexibility to choose your workplace. You don't have to confine yourself to your dining room table if you want to be in the company others. There are several <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/where-do-i-work-from">places where you can work.</a> You could go to the library or a café in your neighbourhood. Why not discover a coworking space? In addition to being able to get out of the house, you'll be in the company of other self-employed people like yourself!</p>
<h3><strong> You Have More Time for Yourself</strong></h3>
<p> Having your own business can mean having more time for you and those around you. Working from home means you’ll probably gain time as you will not be stuck in traffic jams. You can decide to take an hour and a half for lunch or 5 minutes–if you are in a hurry. You can also decide to postpone a project overnight if you don't feel well or if you have something unexpected. In short, you will have control over your schedule and if you want to include yoga sessions every morning or spend more time with your children, you can do so more easily.</p>
<h3><strong> Be Your Own Boss</strong></h3>
<p> Have you worked at a location where it just didn't work with your boss? Many people may testify to experiences where they had an inadequate workload or did not feel comfortable with their superiors. It can also be difficult to break free for an appointment or take time for yourself when you are an employee. Steve Jobs would say, "If you don't work for your dreams, someone will hire you to work for his own." What's your dream? What are you really passionate about? Wouldn't you be happier working on what you love the most?</p>
<h3><strong>Choose What You Like</strong></h3>
<p> Being self-employed also means being able to choose what you like. You have control over the services you want to offer, your customers, your employees and even how you want to dress! As an employee, have you ever felt that a project did not respect your values? Have you ever had clients who didn't respect you or wasted your time? By being self-employed, you have more power, including the power to say no. It can be difficult at first, but you'll see that over time you get a taste for it! Choose opportunities that you are passionate about and that really make you happy. Find customers who respect your work, but with whom you also have fun. You can also take courses and become more specialized, or on the contrary, you can get involved in everything. And if you want to work in your pajamas from home, no one is going to judge you.</p>
<h3><strong> A Great Community</strong></h3>
<p> Finally, several self-employed people mentioned that they sometimes feel alone. As a result, there are many communities of freelancers and self-employed people on the web, but also in real life. Of course, there is <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/networking-101">networking.</a> It is true that this is done mainly to find customers, but it is also where you can meet and exchange with other freelancers in your area. Then there are also many groups on Facebook related to entrepreneurship. We strongly encourage you to find and follow communities that you find interesting. They may be able to help you if you are in a particular situation or need advice. For many, these support groups are like a second family that understand the reality of freelancers!</p>
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<p>In conclusion, it is important to mention that the life of a self-employed person and freelancer is not always rosy, but for them it seems better than working for a salary. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons, then why not start part-time by keeping your job if you're not sure? This will give you a financial cushion while looking for your first few customers. When you feel ready and strong enough to make the leap, all you have to do is become self-employed full time!</p>
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