Comments on: The Liberty of Inspired Self-Expression through Self-Employment http://www.delightfulwork.com/2007/09/25/the-liberty-of-inspired-self-expression-through-self-employment/ Tom Volkar ~ Career Coaching Your Leap to Self-Employment Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:38:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Tom Volkar http://www.delightfulwork.com/2007/09/25/the-liberty-of-inspired-self-expression-through-self-employment/#comment-29 Tom Volkar Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:59:03 +0000 http://delightfulwork.com/2007/09/25/the-liberty-of-inspired-self-expression-through-self-employment/#comment-29 Right on Mike, when self-employed the boss is gone, replaced by client partnerships that develop into mutally respectful relationships. Yes, we are at choice on how we want our client relationships to be and more. It's that freedom of choice in every area that makes it all worthwhile. Right on Mike, when self-employed the boss is gone, replaced by client partnerships that develop into mutally respectful relationships. Yes, we are at choice on how we want our client relationships to be and more. It’s that freedom of choice in every area that makes it all worthwhile.

]]> By: Mike Murray http://www.delightfulwork.com/2007/09/25/the-liberty-of-inspired-self-expression-through-self-employment/#comment-28 Mike Murray Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:33:35 +0000 http://delightfulwork.com/2007/09/25/the-liberty-of-inspired-self-expression-through-self-employment/#comment-28 The biggest misconception about self-employment is that you're working for yourself. That's just not true. When you're self-employed, you serve many masters. Every client in your stable becomes your boss. Whatever they want, you do. The neat thing I've discovered, though, is that boss isn't really the proper term. Partner is. When you're working under someone, they give you an order and you obey it. When you're self-employed and a client calls with a request, they're asking you for help. They've chosen you because they trust and, hopefully, like you. The relationship can be friendly and professional at the same time, a give and take of mutual respect. When you first start out on your own, money is your chief prey. There are bills and taxes and health expenses to pay. As time goes on, you realize the more important pursuit is your own happiness and fulfillment. Simply slaving at home is no different than slaving at someone else's office. You just dress worse. You have the power to decide how you want your client relationships to be. Are you an obedient servant keeping your head down and not seeing beyond the moment, or are you a creative partner working toward common goals? When you're self-employed, you get to decide. And clients respect that. They EXPECT you to be better than a drone - or they'll stop calling. So you should expect better of yourself, too. You're creating your own work world, and that means you get to decide the rules - and roles - of engagement. The biggest misconception about self-employment is that you’re working for yourself. That’s just not true. When you’re self-employed, you serve many masters. Every client in your stable becomes your boss. Whatever they want, you do. The neat thing I’ve discovered, though, is that boss isn’t really the proper term. Partner is. When you’re working under someone, they give you an order and you obey it. When you’re self-employed and a client calls with a request, they’re asking you for help. They’ve chosen you because they trust and, hopefully, like you. The relationship can be friendly and professional at the same time, a give and take of mutual respect.

When you first start out on your own, money is your chief prey. There are bills and taxes and health expenses to pay. As time goes on, you realize the more important pursuit is your own happiness and fulfillment. Simply slaving at home is no different than slaving at someone else’s office. You just dress worse. You have the power to decide how you want your client relationships to be. Are you an obedient servant keeping your head down and not seeing beyond the moment, or are you a creative partner working toward common goals? When you’re self-employed, you get to decide.

And clients respect that. They EXPECT you to be better than a drone - or they’ll stop calling. So you should expect better of yourself, too. You’re creating your own work world, and that means you get to decide the rules - and roles - of engagement.

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