Are You (Really) Ready to Do Your Own Thing?
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find the right words to describe working for yourself? I recently faced this challenge while writing my podcast description, and it reveals something about the modern world of work.
The Language of Self-Employment Is Changing
When I first tried describing my work, I used phrases like "helping people run businesses with power and purpose." But something felt off. Through conversations with my Launch Lab members, I realized that not everyone easily identifies as a "business owner." Some prefer "freelancer," others are transitioning from freelancer to entrepreneur, and many are combining traditional employment with independent work.
That's when it hit me: the word we're looking for is "fluid."
Many of us are creating work ecosystems with multiple income streams, remaining open to whatever structure serves us best. It's why I've settled on the phrase "doing your own thing" – it captures the essence of creating work designed around YOU, rather than fitting yourself into an existing job description.
Part 1: The Heart of Going Solo - Emotional Readiness
I've noticed several patterns among people ready to create their own path. Do any of these resonate with you?
The Round Peg in a Square Hole
These are the folks who've never quite felt at home in corporate settings. Whether it's their free spirit, rebellious nature, or abstract thinking style, they find traditional office environments taxing or even toxic.
The Natural Innovator
These individuals constantly generate new ideas and solutions. They're pioneers at heart, more excited about charting new territory than improving existing systems.
The Creative Autonomist
Similar to innovators, these are creatives who crave ultimate control and credit for their unique ideas. The thought of using their creativity to support someone else's vision feels painful..
The Security Seeker
Surprisingly, many people turn to self-employment for security. They trust their own ability to create value more than they trust a single employer to provide stable income, often after experiencing layoffs or workplace instability.
Part 2: The Practical Side - Your Readiness Checklist
Before taking the leap, consider these key factors:
1. Skill Confidence: Can you confidently tell someone what you do? The correlation between practice and confidence is real – make sure you have enough experience to feel authentic in your offering.
2. Market Validation: Have you tested your services with ideal clients? Before going all-in, try offering your services on a smaller scale to build confidence and validate demand.
3. Professional Network: How strong are your connections in your field? Do you know potential clients and peers? While not essential, a strong network can significantly smooth your transition.
4. Self-Management Skills: You’ll be doing this a lot as someone who works for themselves. I would recommend you try setting a goal around your new income stream idea and carve out intentional time to work toward that goal. Are you able to show up at the time you allotted and actually work on the thing you said you’d do? If you can start building trust with yourself that you know how to work independently and can be a good manager to yourself, you’ll feel all the more confident to go out on your own.
5. Financial Runway: What's your financial cushion? Your comfort level depends on risk tolerance – some need a year's savings, others are comfortable with three months. The common recommendation is six months, but I think it really depends on your risk tolerance and of course other factors like what kind of business you’re starting, overhead costs, your confidence in initial client load, and any potential for fall back plan B money making strategies.
6. Support System: Do you have people in your corner? Self-employment can be challenging and sometimes lonely. Having supportive friends and family can make a huge difference to keeping you feeling encouraged and motivated.
Making the Decision
If you're nodding along to these points thinking "I could do that," you could be ready to do your own thing. If you're feeling anxious, you might need more preparation – both tactically and emotionally.
Think of it like jumping off a cliff: it's always going to feel scary, but there's a world of difference between jumping with a tested parachute versus jumping with nothing.
While the pull toward self-employment can be strong, taking time to build your structural, relational, and emotional support systems can significantly impact your success and how it feels along the way.
Take the Readiness Quiz - a 2 minute self assessment on how ready you are to do your own thing
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