Many years ago now, I saw the above in the back window of a car. It set me giggling at the time and kept coming back to me over the following few days. We all get things “stuck in our minds” from time to time, more often than not they are amusing sayings, anecdotes or, as in this case, car stickers. Apart from the clever pun on the words of the song from Disney’s “Snow White”, it is, sadly, a philosophy forced on many, many people by the circumstances of their lives.
It’s a situation which gets the “what if” thoughts going in the minds of many in the world of work. “What if I didn’t have to commute to the office, factory or other workplace almost every day of my life? What if I had the flexibility to give much more time to my family; to attend school concerts and sports days, etc. whenever I wanted? What if I could take holidays at times that suited me rather than at times which suited other people? What if I could use my energy and my skills to realise my own dreams rather than helping to build the dreams of other people? What if –what if – what if?”
The idea of self-employment crosses the minds of many but looking at the alternatives to the ‘norm’ presents a set of options, frankly, not a whole lot better. Purchasing and stocking your own retail outlet will require a very large financial commitment which would probably involve putting your house on the line. Buying into a franchise will also require a very significant outlay which will take years to pay back. Neither of these possibilities can be guaranteed to give you what you are looking for either. You may have the feeling of being in control of your own destiny but both will require just as much work and commitment, probably more, plus the stress of being responsible for all aspects of the business and all that entails. Rather you than me!
So, is there a realistic possibility to escape the rat-race; break free from life in a job (JOB = Just Over Broke). The development of the internet over the last few years has opened up a whole new world (quite literally) to those unhappy with their lot. Building a business online is free of most of the problems encountered with the traditional forms of self-employment. Let me itemise a few of these:
- You can begin to work on your own online business whilst still in employment. If you follow the right process, just an hour or two a day can build your business quite quickly alongside your established work. You don’t need to burn your bridges until your new business is producing sufficient income to keep you afloat.
- The financial outlay for an internet marketing business is absolutely minimal. There are ways of promoting your business, products, services, etc. which require almost no financial commitment at all.
- If you have little or no experience of working online, there are lots of people out there to help and all kinds of readily and cheaply available resources which can fast-track your business to success.
- You need no premises of your own. All that is required is a PC or laptop and an internet connection.
- There is no need to carry stock. Products are simply generated as and when they are required and after a customer has already paid; – what is often referred to as a “positive cash-flow business”
- Once the business is up and running many of the more mundane tasks can be outsourced to people or organisations who will offer their services for very little financial outlay.
These points are just the ones that come most readily to my mind. There are many others too, all of which can lead you to the work/life balance that you want. Anyone can change their lives by setting up an internet business so long as they are prepared to make a commitment and really go for it. Many fail because they don’t treat it as a serious business. Many fail because they just don’t see it through. Sorry to throw in this word of caution but it does need to be said! If you want it, go for it! Do your research (your “due diligence” as the Americans say); find your niche; create your business and the world will be your oyster.