Self-Employment: A Viable Career Path

16/02/2023

Mark Van Lith is a professional and experienced Business Coach and Advisor who has been operating his own business ABS Institute of Management for over 16 years. In this role he has been successfully delivering free Government Funded Self Employment Programs to more than 5,000 start-up enterprises to help people who come from diverse backgrounds and with limited means to be their own boss and work for themselves.  

In today's rapidly changing job market, more and more people are considering self-employment as a viable career path. Whether you're tired of the traditional 9-to-5 and want more flexibility in your schedule, or simply have a unique business idea you're passionate about, self-employment can offer many benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Self-employment can be a fulfilling and lucrative career path for those who have the right skills, mindset, and passion. Some of the benefits of being self-employed include:

  1. Flexibility: One of the biggest benefits of self-employment is the flexibility it offers. You have the freedom to set your own schedule, work from anywhere, and balance work and personal life in a way that works best for you.
  2. Unlimited Earning Potential: As a self-employed individual, you have the potential to earn more money than you would in a traditional job. Your income is directly proportional to the time and effort you put into your business, and there's no limit on what you can earn.
  3. Freedom to Pursue Your Passion: When you're self-employed, you have the opportunity to turn your passion into a profitable business. Whether it's a creative hobby, a particular skill set, or a unique product, self-employment allows you to pursue your passion in a way that aligns with your financial goals.
  4. Control Over Your Work Environment: As a self-employed individual, you have complete control over your work environment. You can choose the location, the hours, and the people you work with, making self-employment a great option for people who value freedom and control over their work life.

However, self-employment also comes with several challenges that need to be considered before taking the leap. Some of the challenges include:

  1. Lack of Stability: One of the biggest challenges of self-employment is the lack of stability it can offer. Your income is dependent on the success of your business, and there's no guaranteed salary or benefits such as annual leave entitlements.
  2. Risk: Starting a business comes with risk, and there's the chance that you may not always achieve immediate results. This can be a difficult reality for some individuals, especially those who are used to the stability of a regular job; however, you will constantly be learning and can always start again.
  3. Isolation: Self-employed individuals often work alone, which can be isolating. If you're someone who thrives on collaboration and enjoys being part of a team, self-employment may not be the best fit, but you can get assistance from support groups and other programs.
  4. Time Management: As a self-employed individual, you'll have to be disciplined about time management. Without a boss to hold you accountable, it's important to stay focused and motivated in order to be successful.

Succeeding as a self-employed person requires a combination of hard work, perseverance, and smart decision-making. Here are some tips that can help your clients on their path to success:

  1. Plan ahead: Before they jump into self-employment, it's important they have a solid business plan in place. This should include their goals, target market, marketing strategy, and a realistic timeline for when they expect to turn a profit.
  2. Build a support system: It can help for them to surround themselves with a network of like-minded individuals who can offer advice and support as they navigate the ups and downs of self-employment. This can be a mentor, a business coach, or even a community of other self-employed individuals.
  3. Be disciplined: As mentioned earlier, time management is key to success in self-employment. They shold set aside specific times for work and stick to a schedule as much as possible to stay on track and meet their goals.
  4. Stay focused: With so many distractions and temptations in the world, it can be easy for them to lose sight of their goals. It is important they stay focused on their business, and avoid getting side-tracked by other opportunities that may arise.

By following these tips and staying committed to their business, they can increase their chances of succeeding as a self-employed person. It is critical to take advantage of programs and assistance that provide training and coaching support to help in all these areas. The federal government provide free help in this respect via Self Employment Assistance available through a selected range of approved providers in each state.

In conclusion, self-employment can be a good career path for those who are self-motivated, have the skills and experience to succeed, and are comfortable with the added responsibilities and risks involved. However, it is important to weigh the benefits and challenges carefully before making the decision to pursue self-employment.