A Full Year of Self-Employment: The 5 Most Valuable Things I've Learned
It is hard to believe that my journey of self-employment began a whole year ago this month. In June 2021, after months of careful thought, I made the life-changing decision to leave my full time gig to pursue my passions. While at times it feels like my days at a 9-to-5 were ages ago, as a whole, the past year has really flown by.
When I look back on where I was a year ago versus now, the transformation is pretty drastic in many facets. First and foremost: my mental health. It is a topic that is gaining visibility in the work world and it is oh so important. In my previous corporate life, I constantly felt trapped - like my efforts would never truly pay off in the ways I wanted. My confidence in my own abilities was shot and I knew I needed to do something. I’m now not only happier, but my professional confidence has grown and my schedule is more balanced.
The second drastic change that has happened over the past year is what’s clearly visible to the outside world: my businesses. A year ago, I had two marketing clients (shoutout to the OGs!) and was teaching Irish dance a couple times per week. Now, I have a robust marketing client book that is making me more while working less, and I dove deep into my passion of Irish dance, running operations for the school.
While it’s easy to look back and say becoming self-employed was the best decision of my life, the feelings of fear and anxiety of the unknown are still familiar. If you’re thinking about making the jump, here are 5 of the most valuable things I learned throughout my first year of self-employment:
1. Consistency is key
This one is touched on often when discussing professional development, but truly cannot be overstated. There is no environment that requires more consistency and discipline than self-employment. There is no one to answer to and no to-do lists just given to you to complete - if you don’t want to work, you don’t have to! This is why a consistent inner drive is critical to success.
While there are many days that I wake up and am tempted to take it easy - and sometimes that’s okay - sticking to a routine is the best thing to do for the success of my business. The good news is that when you are self-employed, your routine can adapt to what works best for you, not your employer. For example, if you work best at night (like me!), you can flex your work hours to accommodate your most productive hours!
2. Block out the noise
Just as with anything in life, everyone will have an opinion on your decisions… and many won’t hold back in telling you what you “should” be doing and how you should be doing it. I spent countless months unhappy in my career simply for fear of judgment from family, friends, and colleagues. And while it’s much easier said than done, it’s SO important to learn how to ignore all of those thoughts.
You know yourself better than anyone, and you are the one who will be impacted by your career decisions. Prioritize yourself and your happiness. Everything (and everyone) else comes second.
3. Stay focused (and firm) in pursuit of your goals
No matter the industry, the vast amount of advice and resources available is limitless… and can be both a blessing and a curse. There is no doubt that doing your research before launching your business is important, but don’t let the noise distract you from pursuing your passion. Identify 3-5 specialties, and stick to them. When determining what moves to make in your business, always fall back on those pillars. This will ensure that all aspects of your business are always growing in the direction you intend!
4. Busy isn’t always better
This has always been a tough one for me, as I tend to equate busy-ness to productivity. But jumping on every little opportunity that is presented to you can harm your business in more ways than one. First, like I touched on in #3, not being intentional and focused in your pursuits can cause your business to morph into something that you did not intend. Second, a balanced schedule is an extremely important component to achieving your highest level of productivity. Focus your energy where it matters, and rest when you need to.
Remember: Just because you’re capable of doing something doesn’t mean that you should be doing it. Keep the big picture of your business in mind.
5. No two paths are the same
Comparison is the thief of joy, and that is of utmost importance in your journey of self-employment. It is unbelievably easy to get discouraged when looking at others’ social media, websites, and the like. But don’t forget: no two paths are the same, especially when it comes to starting your own business. Never stop learning from others and supporting those in your professional community, but stop yourself when it comes to comparing your success to theirs.
Self-employment is a constant journey, with new things presented each day. I am so grateful for all that the past year has given me, and I can’t wait to continue learning over the next 365 days (and beyond!).