The tough economy has thrown former employees into the role of business owner.
Planned or not, many freelance writers made that transition – have you?
Could I Speak to the Owner?
I started my own business in 2008. I spent over 30 years in Corporate America and was sure I was ready.
- I gained a lot of experience
- I was an independent thinker
- My organizational skills helped me handle multiple assignments
- I had over 20 years in management roles
The one role I did not have experience in was business owner.
The Buck Stops Here
Some of the things you take for granted as an employee are now on your head.
- You are the IT department
- You are sales and marketing
- You are accounting
- You are the janitor
Even if you decide to outsource some of those functions, you are the person that is accountable for the decisions you make.
Whoa- heavy.
Despite the responsibility, making those decisions is not my problem. It’s removing the guilt of doing my own projects. Let me explain.
Guilty Pleasures
Like the good, little organized soldier I am, I have a business plan. It includes work that I think of as my projects.
- eBooks
- Creative writing
When I work on those, I struggle with the guilt that I am goofing off. I suspect other freelance writers have the same issue. Why do we feel guilty when we are working on our own projects?
We are still thinking like an employee.
- If we are not writing for a client – we are goofing off
- If we do our own work during normal work hours – we are goofing off
- If we actually enjoy our own projects – we are goofing off
My writer buddy, Jenn Mattern, had a great post on taking your own projects seriously. I incorporated some of Jenn’s ideas for making my projects a priority.
I spent the last two days working on one.
For the first time – I was guilt-free.
Not only guilt-free –
- I was super productive
- I finally realized – it’s not my project, but my business’ project
- The light bulb is on
- And, most of all, I am thrilled to say -I enjoyed it
You still have to balance client work with your business work of marketing and administration.
But, isn’t that what being a business owner is all about?
Freelance writers – how have you moved from employee to owner?
P.S. This personal blog was one of my projects. It has not been officially rolled out. I need what I worked on the last two days – see another plus for working on it.
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Live…Laugh…Love
Cathy,
I’m sure this is a major stumbling block for many new business owners. It is a whole different mindset to run a business. If you run it by yourself there isn’t anyone to be accountable to until you get your first clients. Even though I’m experienced at running a business I find it hard to shift into “owner” mode some days!
Hi Sherrie: Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience with being a business owner. I find I have to remind myself that the eBook or report I am doing for marketing my business IS business. I tend to put that on a backburner when I am busy with client work, but I’m getting there.
Thanks again for stopping by, Sherrie. I do appreciate it.