7....The Attitude
Lets see.....we've got the idea, we've done the research and know who we will be selling too, but do we have the right person to get us there?
At this point you need to sit yourself down and start asking some very pertinent questions of yourself.
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is capable of running their own business successfully. It takes time, skill and the right attitude. Things will not always go right, you will be working some very long hours, you will not be making much or any money for some time and most importantly, you will largely be on your own, with no one to turn to for advice. It's lonely at the top and the fall is a big one.
So what do you want and can be self employed deliver those wants?
1. Money. Can you survive on not much for a while? What is not much, what's the minimum you need?
2.Working hours. Does the idea of working seven days a week, 12 hours a day plus ,sound like something you could cope with. Can you go without a vacation for the next couple of years?
3.Risk. What sort of gambler are you, a calculated one, not one at all, high stakes? There is a degree of risk in every business venture and of course that leads to....
4. Stress. How well do you cope with it?
5. Independence. Do you hate being told what to do and think you can do better than your boss?
6. Achievement. Do you like the feeling of accomplishing something? Can you set high standards for yourself?
7. Personality. Can you handle working on your own day in day out, without the team bonding that a regular job supplies.
8. Support. Does your family support what you are doing, do they understand the risks?
These are the questions you need to ask yourself. Don't worry if they don't all point in a favourable direction, but don't ignore them either. If you can't handle stress very well, it might just be a matter of being prepared to get help to deal with it. On the other hand if you refuse point blank to give up that Saturday morning round of golf no matter what, then perhaps you need to rethink your priorities.
Still convinced that you've got what it takes....
