Know why you're doing it

As a woofer I sometimes have trouble understanding you humans... I often think you could benefit from being more dog like.

You see, I know exactly why I do what I do; which is basically lying around, sleeping until someone takes me for a walk or plays with me.

But can I get me human, Renee, to see the benefits of this.

No.

She's very busy working very, very hard on her business.

And this is fine because I actually think she knows why she's doing it. I've heard her talk about her plan for the business, what she's going to do when it's finished and what she wants to do when she retires (although I think it's a little early to be thinking about retirement!)

But how many people out there really know why they are running their own busiess... I mean REALLY know why they're doing it.

Oh, I think there are plenty of people out there who have a vague notion about why they started in business. heard me other human talking about it today. He was working with a group of people new to business and they were saying things like 'I'm fed up lining other people's pockets... I want to earn money for myself' or 'I want the freedomn to come and go as I please!' Or 'I've always wanted to be self employed.'

All very good and really good reasons for starting a business... but not enough to give up being so dog-like... and often not true either.

Being a business owner often, especially in the early years, can cost and awful lot of money, particularly as the business is established. Of course, as the business flourishes financial rewards often follow... but by no means on every occasion.

But it's actually the time element which is the biggest issue. If you are starting a business to get back some of your prescious time, you need to think again.

You see, not only doyou have to do whatever it is you for your custiomers but you have to do VAT returns, admin, invoicing, payroll, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork...

Becoming self employed is like having two jobs. The one you do for your customers and the one you do to make sure the business works properly.

Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't go into business. However, I am saying you have to sort out
your reasoning for doing it. What do you want to get out of it? By when? How are you going to do it?

In this way, it's easier to deal with the really hard work that you're going to have to get into being self employed.

Or you could be more dog-like and loaf about for a bit.