WomenCo.

Hello, self-employed women! So you're your own boss: What's the best part about working for, um, yourself? List the top 3 best things about being your own boss here.

[I'll start because even though I currently do have a boss, I have been self-employed previously (and plan to someday get back to it!):]

1. I work on my own schedule, all the time.


2. I have honed excellent time management skills.


3. When I'm self-employed then I am necessarily working on something I am very invested in, and I therefore work more efficiently and passionately.

And now, the downsides (if any). Name the top 3 worst things about being your own boss:

1. It's nice to have someone on the outside identify your strengths and weaknesses. Self-analysis of these is often difficult.


2. I am sometimes too easy on myself and procrastinate to no end!


3. It can sometimes be overwhelming.

BEST:

1) I have control over the money I make...not some else, the harder I work the more I make

2) I choose who I work with so those angry cranky people don't overshadow my good mood

3) I can work in my pajamas or from my pool!

WORST:

1) Having multiple phones ringing, text messages coming in and a ton of e-mails to respond to

2) Time management issues (do I return the call or pick my daughter up from school just a few minutes late (she's in high school)

3) Not having someone to shift responsibilties to

Best

• no bs hiearchy


• no morning work


• more time for travel

Worst

• no clients = no money


• no financial security/stability (yet)


• start-up costs (just starting business)

Best part:

Freedom of time

I can manage my own money without giving explanations or asking for it to someone else

I can organize myself and do other things like sports & courses

Worst part:

Dont having enough time to eat or going to the restroom

Too many people to see everyday.

You have to be perfect from feet to head everyday

Check out this related article ... very interesting :)

Three Things I Miss About Having A Boss

Best

• Can set my own schedule


• I can do things when I want to, not when someone tells me to


• No cleaning up after someone else (also work retail)

Worst

• I can get lazy sometimes


• No income if no parties booked


• No health benefits

I do freelance work for a visitors center, so I do alot of event planning that I can do from home (which helps with gas prices!)

Pros:

1. Make my own hours

2.  I dont have the typical everyday distractions of being in an office and having my phone ring off the hook

3.  Freedom to be as creative as I want

Cons:

1.  No one to bounce ideas off of unless I go into the office ( I like to brainstorm in groups)

2.  Making myself stick to a schedule. 

3.  The lack of social interaction can get boring.

I am paying attention to what all of you have said; and some of my answers are similar.  MY top three:

Knowing that i am safe when I put my priorities as God first, family second, and career third.  Not all careers have that luxury.

I can still make "big girl" pay, but work fewer hours...especially nice, if you love to hang out with friends for coffee, or the ball field watching your little girl hit a home run, or take care of a loved one who is very, very ill.

Helping others with the skills I have gained, and even potentially changing their quality of life.

My three to watch out for:

Discipline, discipline, discipline.

Remembering to actually OPEN MY MOUTH about having my own business!  (It is great fun; I freely admit that it is my entertainment as well as my income, so sometimes I forget to share info!)

Letting my mommy/wife/extended family "wants" supercede everything!  (Sometimes, y'know, you just have to spend time working!)

I have to say, I feel extraordinarily fortunate to find something that I love so much that I would do it for free, if I could.  I have a purpose, and now I am not certain if THAT shouldn't be on my top three!  Thanks for the post!