The Uncensored Truth About Entrepreneurship: What it Really Means to be an Entrepreneur

A question I get asked a lot; what is it really like to be self-employed? Entrepreneurship is extremely glamorised where as in reality it is the complete opposite.

Being an entrepreneur comes with a lot of exciting rewards and potentials, but it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. Those who decide to become entrepreneurs must be willing to deal with the fact that their work will not always be stable – some days may be busier than others and success might take time. It is a different type of security than being employed. But, it can provide tremendous satisfaction when you know that you have created something valuable from nothing other than an idea in your head and to watch that vision come to life is second to none.

It is important for aspiring entrepreneurs to go into it fully prepared for what lies ahead; both the pros and cons of self-employment should be carefully considered to ensure that your idea has a chance at becoming a successful venture. The truth is, there is no one-sized-fits-all approach to being an entrepreneur; different individuals have different goals, motivations, and expectations for what the journey will bring them.

Becoming self-employed is one of the best decisions a person can make – in my opinion. It comes with many perks, from more control over how you manage your time, to a freedom and creativity that only self-employment can offer. However, there are some downsides to self-employment as well – ones that people rarely talk about. From feeling constantly overwhelmed due to having too much on your plate, to feeling guilty for not going at 100% speed 100% of the time or not being able to switch off after work hours, (work hours don’t exist when being self-employed)—these are all common realities that come with being an entrepreneur and I want to bring awareness to this fact.

Self-employment has given me more freedom to do the things I want to do and has provided me with the opportunity to spend more time with my family. I have been able to work on things that I am truly passionate about and my income does not have a ceiling. To me this was always my aim, to be able to do what I like whenever I like – who doesn’t want a bit of this?

Overall when it comes to working for yourself, you need to be prepared for some of the toughest times in your life. You may find yourself logging more hours than you ever have at a day job and being even more dedicated to accomplishing your goals. As an entrepreneur, you have to work harder than ever before and develop better skills in order to succeed. You will face challenging times and difficult tasks but if you remain focused on your goals and continue to put in effort, eventually the hard work will pay off.

A top tip as an entrepreneur is to take the time to define your goals and what is motivating you, this can be immensely helpful in achieving success. Knowing exactly what it is you’re striving to achieve, and why, will enable you to set realistic goals that are tailored to you and your business. Being specific is key here; rather than simply setting out a plan, get into the nitty-gritty details such as when you aim to hit certain objectives, who will help you along the way, and how it will benefit both yourself and your business in the long run. Taking this extra step of clarity will put you in a better position to achieve great things!

Aspiring entrepreneurs should keep one thing in mind: growth and progress can only come through continuous learning. Albert Einstein once said: “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” This phrase should be an entrepreneur’s mantra, as it stresses the importance of never ceasing to learn new skills and knowledge.

Entrepreneurs may often find themselves pressed for time; after all, running a business requires effort and focus like no other job does. However, finding that extra bit of time to learn is essential if you want to succeed in the long run.

Now, do you think entrepreneurship is for you?

Bye for now Xx