14-hour days in a job he wanted to escape from, this man decided enough was enough and started his dream business. He says every man should do the same.
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I was driving home at 10:40 pm after another 14-hour day at work. I kept asking myself, “Why do I put myself through this daily torture?” I knew that something had to change, but I kept going back to the same job day after day.
That was eight years ago. Today, things are very different.
I did not hate my old job, but I was frustrated by my lack of control. I had great ideas, but my boss didn’t give two craps what I thought!
Although I wanted out of that job, there were certain things I enjoyed, so I looked for a better solution. My search led me to start my own business, which has changed my life completely.
If you look around, you can find many opportunities to create a business without quitting your current job.
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I’m sure you have frustrations with your job and would like to see some changes. And, you probably enjoy parts of your job, but dislike others. I made a change that lets me perform some of the same activities I did eight years ago, but lets other people do the things I don’t like.
If you have ever considered starting your own business, you are in good company. In a recent study, 59 percent of men surveyed have “seriously considered” starting their own business.
Based on my experiences, I believe every man should consider starting a business. If you look around, you can find many opportunities to create a business without quitting your current job. You can launch a new business part-time while maintaining your current income. As your business grows, you will be the person who decides whether to make it full-time. Here are four reasons why I think every man should think about starting his own business.
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1. You get to do what you love
Let’s face it – we all want to do things that are enjoyable and satisfying. If you are running a business, you get to write your own job description. You get to pick the activities you perform and decide which activities to delegate or outsource to someone else. This ability to define your own work activities is a strong motivator to all men.
Daniel Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, states that people are motivated at work, at school, and at home by “the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.” Operating your own business lets you direct that part of your life and gives you many opportunities to learn and create new things. Think about how your life would change if you actually enjoyed going to work every day.
2. You get to exercise your creativity
As you may have discovered, many employers do not encourage creative thinking. In those positions, you are expected to just follow the procedures exactly as you’re told. You know, “rules are rules – they’re here for a reason.” I find this to be a depressing work environment that drains the life out of people. If you are like most guys, you want to solve problems and use your creative abilities, not just perform tasks in a robotic manner.
Operating your own business allows you to think bigger and enjoy your creative gifts. Regardless of your background, I know you can develop innovative ideas that can launch and grow a business. When you have this freedom, think about what you will create.
You may solve problems and make a huge impact in the world. I have worked with many “regular guys” who became successful entrepreneurs and businessmen. A new business gives you the chance to solve problems, which gives you satisfaction and a strong sense of accomplishment.
3. You get to choose your co-workers
In your current job, many of your co-workers were probably chosen by someone else. When operating your own business, you can select who you work with. You can build your own “dream team.”
I have done this in my own business. I use several contractors who perform specific activities that I do not want to handle myself. As my business grows, and my need for personnel increases, these contractors are my first choice as regular employees. Think about who would be most supportive in helping your business grow.
4. You get to make a bigger impact in the world
You have unique skills that set you apart from other people. But, if you are like most men, your job does not allow you to fully apply your talents to make a big impact in the world.
Seriously consider starting your own business. Stop asking yourself why you stay with a job you hate.
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By operating your own business, you can define specific job functions for yourself that take advantage of your unique skills. Think back to your childhood. What did you dream of doing – what were you passionate about? Many men who have lost sight of that dream.
When you are truly following your passions, the business will not seem like work. Instead, you will be excited to get started each day. You will start to see your dreams come back to life.
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In my own work, I have designed my work activities to connect with my unique skills and talents. I do not see this as work. Instead, I am passionate about what I do and excited to make a difference by helping expand other businesses.
Seriously consider starting your own business. Stop asking yourself why you stay with a job you hate. Instead, start making a change that will improve your life and the lives of those around you.
Have you ever considered starting your own business?
Photo: Flickr/ Lars Plougmann
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Thanks Fatima. I hope this article gives your husband and brother ideas for discovering their dreams!
I love this post. I have discussed this with my husband and his brother. Maybe I can use this as a way to ignite the fire in their engine to get started on their business. Thanks, Steve.