I wake up every day and truthfully ask myself:
“The only thing that I miss about my corporate career is ….. [long pause, silence]“
Nope. Nothing. Nada. Not a whisper. Not a word. Not even a shadow of a thought stirs in my soul.
Thank God, I say with a big smile, another day where I am doing what I love, where I have no regrets, and where I am free and happy and fulfilled. I was a born entrepreneur, that’s for sure, I was made to be my own boss, I was just late to the game by well over a decade.
But that’s not what happens to every person who leaves a lucrative job and income behind and I am not naive enough to tell you that. Some feel regret. Some feel a need to return to the workplace. Some never make it on their own.
I know the inner turmoil that you feel if you are reading this quietly from your cubicle in a job that you hate with all your soul but one that gives you a paycheck that affords that beamer in the parking lot (someone tell me, what is it about guys and beamers!?!) and that lovely condo you own but rarely see. You can’t imagine doing the former day in and day out for another decade or two but boy is it excruciating to imagine living a lesser lifestyle altogether! Terrifying thought, isn’t it?
What are you supposed to do? A part of you is caught up in this chasing your dream and finding your passion business and you can’t stop reading about it in Lifestyle Design or Quit your Job blogs! What would happen if you jumped ship and gave up what you know to be your security and comfort zone and became an “entrepreneur” tomorrow?
What does that even mean – I know I had no clue as a corporate employee – and I mean, what is it really, not what they tell you in fancy marketing lingo that you’ve heard to death but in reality, in hard cold reality, what is a self-employed (online or offline) entrepreneur anyway?
Well, this is your lucky day because I read the most honest and vulnerable post from my dear friend, Angela, today and it stirred me to write this one.
I quit my 6-figure lucrative income in May of 2011. (Happy anniversary to me, yay!). Anyway, seriously, I gave up a lot of cash, a lot of stock options, a lot of security (or perceived security) and a lot of other things too. I made that handsome paycheck working from home a few measly hours a week and I was still a high performing super star and did stellar work. That’s how little the corporate job demanded of me, and that’s how well I had mastered my profession. On top of that, I was building up my side-hustle just fine. What on earth was my problem exactly?
I quit because I was in too much pain for doing something I hated and for truly wasting my time. I wasn’t mildly bored – that happened 5 years before – I wasn’t frustrated – that was 3 years ago – I wasn’t indifferent or angry or unhappy – those were all before the pain came.
The real ache in my heart for wasting another precious hour of my life on a meaningless, politically charged, ridiculously useless MEETING. The real pain for doing another excel spreadsheet or powerpoint with messages and words that disgusted me to no end and created absolutely no value anywhere for anyone in this godforsaken world of corporate world.
Do you know this ache and pain or are you just bored at your miserable job and need a new distraction?
To me, an escape was imperative. I needed my freedom, peace of mind, happiness, joy, and true bliss, and I was right. I have not for a second missed anything, regretted anything, and there is no price at which they can have me back. I am pretty clear about that too. But what about you? Where do you stand?
Take this note though: I did not quit before I reached that point. And if you are not there yet, that’s fine. In fact, I am happy to help you understand whether you are ready to quit cold turkey, or whether it is time for you to consider a smart side-hustle or a planning stage for your next move. That is the focus of my coaching program to help you through different stages of exit from your dreaded job and I do all of that with my fabulous clients and I can do that for you too, if and only if you are done fooling around – it took me a while so I get it, I really do, although I don’t recommend it – and if you are ready to invest in yourself.
But this blog post is about the real story behind being an entrepreneur, which again was inspired by my friend Angela. She is tired of the constant work. She is tired of being glued to her computer. She is sick of the lies about the 4-hour work week. And frankly, I cannot blame my dear Angela because it IS incredibly hard work, so please fool yourself not that you will roll in cash in a few weeks after deciding that you are the newest and hottest entrepreneur in town – or online! 
Here’s the 14 ugly truths about being an entrepreneur:
1- You will feel overwhelmed and more than once, confused as to which direction to go, what tools and systems to use, whom to follow and whom to ignore.
2- You will be very challenged on how to organize all your ideas. You’re going to have ideas, no doubt, many fabulous ideas, but how to organize them and prioritize (a non-word from my corporate lingo!), and decide which to do and which to put off, now that’s gonna be a challenge.
3- You will feel alone. Sometimes, very alone. There are no office mates to come by and waste your time and frankly, we as human beings must love to waste time, especially when among fellow human beings. But none of that. It’s you and your home and maybe your cat – I don’t even have one of those, but I do talk to my plants on occasion (hey, my grandmother said they need love and they need to hear it, no joke)
4- You will probably eat by yourself a lot (Not what Keith Ferrazzi recommends a whole lot 
), and feel more alone doing so. You may eat with your partner, spouse or family at night but you will be talking about work or thinking about it while eating.
5- You will be sad that no one recognizes your efforts, even though you are ‘authentic’ and genuine and honest. Even though you are creating value every day, you are ignored by all. Even though your stuff “really rocks”. Yet, it’s a ghost town on your website and in your blog. Yeah. Real sadness sets in.
6- You will fail many many times before success. You will feel rotten about it. You will want to beat something or scream at someone but there’s nothing and no one except yourself. You are it. You are accountable for the good and the bad and the latter kinda sucks but it’s part of the game.
7- You will have a very hard time staying motivated. You will get inspired, you will get a lot done at times and you will be fine most of the time but some days, you will battle the demons of self-doubt like nobody’s business, and you will pray for a little motivation, but alas, none in sight and you wonder if it will ever come back.
On battling those demons of self-doubt, come to my FREE training call on May 30th: Moving through the Lows and Highs of Self-worth”
8- You will not know how to separate “work” from personal life, at least not at first, because it’s all so meshed together and it will become so hard to separate these blurry lines from each other.
9- You will work very hard. I mean so hard that your body will ache from it and you will eat twice as much because you burn so many calories working and racking your brain for ideas! Working evenings and weekends and even while visiting family or in the gym, you will be solving problems in your head. You may not be able to get away from work even if you do all the “balance your life” advice that you can find. Yet you will still be inseparable from your business for long stretches of time.
10- You will be glued to the success stories of others but then implementing those tips may not give you the same results and you start to wonder if they are lying in their interviews or if you are so different that nothing works in your business and maybe you made a huge mistake leaving the comfort of that salary and cushy position behind.
11- You will have success, because hard work and sincerity do find a way to reward you, they do, but then you will want more and A LOT more, because you’ve heard about the massive success that your fellow entrepreneurs have enjoyed and you want that. So then you won’t enjoy your little success. It’s all for naught. Just great.
12- You used to travel and have a social life before but now you don’t even want to get away because you are so overly consumed in your work and distractions are only going to delay your eventual success. And let’s face it, it’s really hard to see the computer screen while sitting on the beach, not to mention the crappy WiFi and all the sand that gets everywhere.
13- You will get really excited and motivated after learning about a new idea or coming up with a new program, and you believe with all your heart that it can change the lives of others but then, you get no traction and no response. Maybe a few people get something out of your programs or products but your vision of helping hundreds or thousands falls flat on its face and you may even shed a few tears and this part isn’t just for the women among us because this stuff really hurts.
14- You will start to doubt yourself. You will start to doubt the lifestyle of a self-employed “rockstar”, the whole entrepreneurship dream, and you will get a little bitter and a little frustrated, and you may even experience mild depression. You forget about your inner self-confidence altogether and succumb to being a victim of the sad circumstance you build around yourself!
You get the idea, right?
It’s painful. I know.
Entrepreneurship: Not a walk in the park. Not a piece of cake. Not easy as pie. Not like shooting fish in a barrel. Not easy peasy. In other words, it’s not easy, for those of you who don’t know all the crazy American expressions that took me some 20 years to pick up !
But don’t be discouraged, because this is what it takes, and if you are made for it, you are made for amazing rewards. And remember, there is a lot of grey in between the black and white and you can make transition at your own pace and on your own time.
This is what it takes to build something from scratch where nothing existed before in its place, and where it only existed in the windmills of your imagination. This is what it takes and if you are willing to put in the hours and to do this work, and to wake up every day, 6 months later, a year later, 2 years later or even 5 years later, and still would rather do what you believe in and change the world on your own terms than waste your life at a meaningless job, then you are meant for entrepreneurship and self-employment and walking your own path.
Plus, with the right guidance and smart decisions, it does not have to take that long to become a thriving entrepreneur and it has amazing thrills that will keep you wide awake at night from the excitement of it all. So what are the thrills? What makes it worthwhile? How can you do it and learn to avoid some serious mistakes that can derail you? How can you find out if entrepreneurship is even right for you?
Talk to someone who’s been there and can show you the ropes. Invest in yourself and work with someone who can give you real practical advice before you risk your safety and security net from corporate.
If you like my style, book a free 20 minute consult with me. I have just 3 spots left in my June coaching program and if you nodded as you read this post, if you still want to create your own lifestyle and call your own shots, I will teach you the real deal of working for yourself and help you decide what to do with your career. Today. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Not next year. Because the only thing that you can’t get back and you can’t make up for is TIME, baby!
What do you think? Am I a radical on the subject or right on the spot here? Share your thoughts – agree or disagree, gonna love it so long as you do it with sincerity – on entrepreneurship and corporate life below in the comments.
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{ 68 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }
I love this and know I have wanted to do this also. I love being at home and doing the office in my slippers.
Now that’s better then being able to go work in Levis. I am very interested in what I could do at home but dont’ know what would people be interested from this unique person, Cheryl in her little corner of this vast universe. Where does my uniquess lie? I don’t know but I sure do want to find it so my hills will be alive with the sound of music:) Crazy me. I love how unique people make their blogs and yes, someone is reading your’s Farnoosh. I wonder, what is it that pulls people in, what makes them flip from one to another. What is on those pages that *GETS* the people. Just my thoughts about it. So any way, you can see me flicking my slipper across my crossed legs.. hummmmmmm
Hi dear Ms. Cheryl, how wonderful to see you here. You know it! It’s wonderful to work at home. I am writing this in my comfy clothes and very short shorts that I’d never dare wear to a corporate meeting
)!
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On a more serious note, uniqueness, that’s a tough one to describe in words. It’s the “je ne said quoi” – it’s the thing that you recognize but can’t describe to someone else, it’s being yourself without working really hard at it, oh I could go on and on. And to me, knowing you the way I do through our juicing clinic, you are MOST unique Cheryl, and that’s the truth. For starters, your persistence on learning everything you possibly can about juicing because it’s good for you – I mean, who does that (at least, outside our crazy lil circle?
So true.
They don’t make the headlines most blogs, people prefer to say go, quit your 9-5 and live your passion…
The truth is being an entrepreneur is 10 times harder than working a 9-5. I always say my boss is tough and doesn’t take no for answer, that’s because I am my own boss.
Doubt, fear, hard work, I wouldn’t trade it for the world
John, it’s un-tradable alright! The thrill that comes from creating our own stuff and answering to our own self, that’s not for sale. I am so glad to have a kindred soul – you and others – to know what it feels like to be terrified, to worry, to keep going against all odds, and to believe in yourself. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Here, here!
Too funny, Kat
!
I’m with John in saying my boss is tough…and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I’m so glad you wrote this dear Farnoosh because I am sick to death of the BS that’s written about this transition. It can be hard and take a lot longer than people think and feeding them lies covered by happy pills proclaiming 6-steps-to-6-figures is a huge disservice. Glad that someone’s finally telling the truth.
Sandi, hon, nobody tells it like it is except you – but I am speaking the truth here too, for whatever it’s worth. Exactly what you say is also what bothers me, especially in my client work with people who are on the other side of the fence and wondering what it’s really REALLY like. The truth deserves heaps more attention!
Farnoosh,
I’m so glad my post prompted your very candid post! There is no free lunch or four hour work week if you truly wan to be successful.
There is only passion, purpose and dedication and doing what it takes!
Dear Angela, thank you so much for your honest post. It changed my entire intent for writing today and I am so glad because these are the best blog posts. You have all of that – passion, dedication and I know you have this: eventual reward and success! I am very proud of you and always here for you!
Dearest Farnoosh,
What a beautiful and geniune post. Your post reminds me of the beautiful poem by Robert Frost, “The Road Less Traveled”. Entrepreneurships is definitely a road less travelled. I’ve heard people equate entrepreneurship akin to becoming a parent and entering in to a committed loving romantic relationship for its ability to launch you in to deep transformation. Sort of like a spiritual bootcamp.
The process you’re talking about here, the journey of entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of courage to step in to your power, who you truly are which includes your passion and purpose in life – in the face of the unknown, rejection, judgement, fear, and failure.
I was doing a teleconference yesterday and my internet was acting funny and I was 10 minutes late for my call. I just about had a heart attack:-) and I had to pull myself together and present like I had 10, 000 people waiting for me on the line. Sometimes there are only a few people. Those are the times I ask myself “why am I doing this?”
I’m one of those people who actually loves my job. I look at it as a calling. Yes there is the typical bureaucracy and BS that comes from working for the government and a giant organization and working with a bunch of little egos. That aside I find what I do very meaningful.
However there is a desire in me that is driving me to create something new. There is a desire in me for freedom in every sense of the word – like picking up and traveling to Australia because I’ve never been there before. A desire to go back to my homeland that I left because of a civil war. A desire to make a difference in the world.
I have a vision of a better world which includes a world where people who suffer from mental illness receive the same type of compassion and understanding as someone who has cancer. A world where psychiatric hospitals resemble more like Spas than anything else. A world where every child has the basics of life. A world where each of us realizes that we are more alike than not. A world full of peace, love and harmony.
This is what is driving me to step in to the world of entrepreneurship. I admire your beautiful example my dear Farnoosh. I LOVE your honesty and openness. I LOVE your way with words. You inspire me everyday. I’m blessed to know you my dear.
Here is the poem by Robert Frost for all of you brave souls who are stepping in to who you are and have embarked on the journey of entrepreneurship. You are not alone. Although at times it does feel that way. You are a CREATOR following the steps of the ultimate CREATOR – God/the Infinite/ Spirit/ or whatever else you believe in. There are also wonderful examples/mentors/coaches such as the Wonderful, Talented and Lovely Farnoosh. Keep on going. Seeking the support you need and in the end it will be worth it.
Peace, Love & Gratitude,
Neseret
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Dear Neseret, simply beautiful. I am so touched by your response and I am intimately familiar with your work and your vision as we have worked together before, and I am a huge believer and supporter in that beautiful vision you have. It is not an easy path to strike out on our own and to go down the “less traveled road” – who hasn’t heard of the fabulous Robert Frost, what a beautiful reminder – but you know what? There is something special about those of us who can do this, and more importantly, those of us who are WILLING to do it and stick with it, and I know you are with the willing crowd, and you are not alone – and frankly, neither am I. It’s such a comforting thought. Thank you for the kind words, and don’t let anything – least of which, technology – deter you from your plans and dreams, Neseret!!
Neseret, thank you for sharing your beautiful vision! I, too, have a vision for the world that I am passionate about yet do not share often enough. Did my heart good to read yours here.
My name is Tess and I need help. Bloggers Anonymous anyone?
Tess, you are too funny. But you know what, maybe not that far from the truth. Bloggers Anonymous sounds a lot better than Entrepreneurs Anonymous ….
)!
Hello; I feel more people would succeed if they had people like you on the net being honest with them. There are way to many “experts” out there who make being an entrepreneur seam like nothing could be easier. It does take hard work, and most of the time you won’t even be sure if you are doing the right things. Just figuring out who to listen to and who to ignore is a hard one. And what you said about not enjoying the little successes because you are expecting big ones is so true. Every success needs to be appreciated by you no matter how small. And when your energy level is down or your confidence is low you have to focus on the things you know work or at least on the ones you are pretty sure of. another great post, and you aren’t a radical unless being brutally honest has gone so out of fashion that its radical. smile take care, max
Dear Maxwell, thank you for being even more honest in return. I know we have talked and you’ve had your fair share of struggle on this road – and yet you are NOT giving up and you are pushing forward. By the way, are you on my FREE confidence building program? You mentioned confidence and I couldn’t help but ask. I really believe that has helped me a lot, and I am glad this was not radical…. Thanks so much for being here!
Hello; we all have to be honest to help each other here. I don’t think I am on the program you mentioned. I do know that the more confident i feel the more likely someone or something will come along to try to shake my confidence. Just today I wrote what I thought was a brilliant blog post about a new addition to my website only to find out that once again the photos aren’t loading. As a visually impaired computer user i have to use a 3rd party ap called mars edit to make my blog posting easier. Every time I think i have it figured out, well you know what happens. smile by the way for the lady that mentioned contacting an advertiser and not knowing if anything will come from it. just today I got a reply from an email I sent out in 2008. The seller didn’t want to pay a commission, so he didn’t list with me. He has continued trying on his own with no results and has finally decided why not. My dad always used to say that good salespeople are like good athletes most of them have bad memories which allows them to believe they will succeed their next time out. take care, max
Hi Farnoosh,
I am just starting on my journey, in little steps. And yet, I nodded throughout most of your post *lol*. What a honest and great article, thanks.
My biggest fear is that I won`t be able to do it. Be my own boss and work on my own. Anyways, I am testing it right now. And your article gives me the feeling that it is hard, yes, but can be done.
Andrea
Hello again dear Andrea, ah the beginning can be exciting and terrifying but focus on the exciting. The learning curve is so fresh!
You should not feed that fear … if you feed it, it will grow. Also don’t fight it, just let it be there, don’t really do much with it at all and definitely don’t BELIEVE it, because it’s a lie. You WILL, you will find a way. Tell yourself that and do the work. And keep me posted. Lovely to see you here!
To be honest I think I was still optimistic after a year – after 5 years – I think I am just tired. But I have no other options now, I wouldn’t get a “real” job even if I tried – because I couldn’t pretend to care about anything except the money long enough to get thru the interview
And I am very used to my own company and eating alone – and I love both of those things!
Though with my back against the wall (yeah I may not even make $1000 this month -that’s after 5 years – that’s the reality out there people for some of us, and that’s less than 1/2 I was making 2 years ago) I still struggle with actually asking to being paid for what I do. I think its true that no one owes you a living, and really most of a us aren’t very unique or different. In fact I don’t even want to be unique – I just want to get paid LOL
Heart in month I actually sent an email to a potential advertiser/sponsor the other day. I was pretty surprised – I actually got an acknowledgement back, I doubt that they will come up with anything, but at least I forced myself to do it – and that only took me a week !
It made me think – what destroyed my confidence so much? When I graduated as a geologist in 1983 there were no jobs to be had, and I had a huge disadvantage – I was a girl. I moved to another country – with a few $100′s in my pocket, I knocked on doors (literally) for days – in the end I got a 3 week contract – because I was so persistent. Then I got a permanent offer – I was one of only a few of my graduating class that got jobs in the industry.
At the time I worried about not having a place to live or money for a flat bond, but I didn’t worry about not getting a job – that wasn’t an option – I had to have a job.
A few years and in a different profession I did the same think in a different city. Again – it was just a numbers game – I’d keep asking and eventually someone would give me a job because it was easier. It worked again.
What happened in the interim – why I have I so lost my confidence? I think I can blame the corporate world for that. I can remember the first time I was blamed for something that wasn’t my fault, and the second. I remember when I stopped doing the best I could at work, because doing the right thing got me into so much trouble. And no I wasn’t in medical or social support – I was in IT for friggs sake!
Sorry this is way too long – what I’m trying to say is – that its not just that most of us aren’t experienced entrepreneurs – but all the skills that entrepreneurs required (confidence, persistence, belief) – has often been knocked out of us if we spend too long in the corporate world.
Lissie they want you to believe you need them. Don’t let that thought take up space in your head.
Hi dear Lissie, how nice to see you here. Thank you for sharing your heart’s struggles. I hear you I really do! And I know how you feel about never going back. The confidence and the persistence, that’s precisely why I created my free confidence building series program and why I write about crushing fears and overcoming those mental blocks SO much, because no one ever talks about it and no one ever teaches it and we are left to our own devices to find our own Lewis Hay or Wayne Dyers or inspiration that will help us tap into our own inner confidence again, the poor thing is buried under so much doubt and fear and criticism. Argh! I hear you. And you are so right. Maybe I should write an extension to this post. I know I had more to say but at nearly 2000 words, I had to cap it. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope abundance finds you soon!
Dear Farnoosh -
Wow.
Just wow. An amazing post, so VERY true, and you know I mean it.
-Bruce.
Dear Bruce,
I am so blessed to have crossed paths with you. And so glad that this resonated with you. Thank you for letting me know.
Hi
I so love reading your post. It gives me hope, I do not have a lucrative job. I am just darn scared to leave it as I have a small child. I always say if she was not there I would leave my job, but deep down I know I am lying. I know I can be my own boss, I must just really get over the fear. Thanks for your honesty, it is important to hear. Have a lovely day.
Drizel, if it gives you hope, that makes me happy. I know – I know about the lying we do to ourselves, I really do. And I hear your fear and I hope that you can truly muster the courage and a smart plan to exit out of this job and find your way to self-employment. If I can help you, let me know.
Spot on Farnoosh – completely – so many think I just sit at home drinking coffee and playing with my daughter because I work from home. The truth is being an entrepreneur is exactly how you have described it. 5 years on and I wouldn’t change it for the world but yes, it can get very lonely at times and it’s then you need to tell your inner demons to SHUT UP!
Loved this – very comforting to know that you feel the same as I do at times!
BTW – congrats on your anniversary! I forgot to celebrate my 5 year anniversary in March! Oops!
Dearest Ameena, thank you SO much for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts. It is SO comforting when I hear my peeps say a similar thing about their experience, and it’s also reassuring because I can see that you are (to me you are) thriving and yet it was not without its costs. FIVE years! That’s a big celebration, Ameena. Take out the champagne for this one
! Merci encore, ma cherie!
Very sensible and practical realities, Farnoosh, but they definitely do not discouraged. In fact, you end them nicely, saying how worth they are, if one is brave enough to face it.
Dear Punam, I went to your site and loved that music video you had posted. Welcome to my blog and thanks so much for sharing your lovely thoughts. Do NOT get discouraged – that’s right
!
Hello; just thought I’d let you know that I’m celebrating a victory. After working with the tech support people from mars edit we finally got the photos in my most recent post to upload. Now, just need to edit the rest of this year’s posts and then return my rss to html feed on my website’s home page. take care, max
Max, that’s wonderful news!! I am celebrating with you – thanks for sharing!
Thanks Farnoosh; Its nice knowing you have a place to share these things with people who not only understand them but aren’t so tired of hearing about it that they have stopped listening. I think my doggie penny was impressed, but she may have just been happy i was putting the laptop down for a while to pet her. smile take care, max
Such a sweet picture you paint, Max!
Well, in your post you mentioned a cat, so figured no one would complain if i mentioned th doggie. and as long as i scratch that special place on her back, she will let me talk as long as i need to. take care, max
I just want to help make a difference in my family, my community, my country, my world. This has hands down been the most difficult task I have ever accepted – the call of entrepreneurship. This blog is right along the lines of what I want to do. I read the comments and the majority of people who are now on this path left six figure incomes. The most I made is 20k working as a shoe salesman at Dillard’s. I am a special ed assistant for a school district (a job that pays little, but rewards much). I guess what my question is, is how do I get more guidance and mentoring? I know you this is a business for you, but is there a way to do some work exchange and receive your guidance? I am willing to do it.
unconditionally
Hello dear Nate, welcome here, and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Thank you so much and I am so glad this post resonated with you. At the end of this post, I mentioned a little about my coaching program and I work with people like yourself who are devoted to changing their lives by choosing work that they can love. If you are interested, first, you can sign up to get my FREE career tips or let me know if you want to sign up for my coaching program. I don’t do any “exchanges” for my coaching program but the career tips are totally free and so is much of the content here on this blog as you can see. Hope this helps!
I just wanna say I truly think you are so lovely, in the money making machine of the internet People can be so cold and disconnected just trying to make money at any cost. You always take the time to answer each person, I defo am taking that as a lesson from you, to be truly amazing to each soul that pass my way. And *exited hop* I have registered a domain and now I will start figuring out how to build a website…..woop woop
hello; good luck with the website. While I am no means an expert on building one, I have learned a lot during the process of building and maintaining my own and would be happy to help where i can. take care, max
O wow, that is really awesome. Thank you so much.
Hello; If it weren’t for people in a couple of groups I’m subscribed to, my site wouldn’t be where it is. Trust me it could still be so much better, but I’m proud of it and no longer do the awe shucks thing when people tell me its good. My email is on my blog posts if you need it. good luck, max
Thank you Drizel. Yeah, I’m not like that because I just told you how much money I gave up to do something I love – Glad you are getting things well under way and thank you for the kind words! Come back anytime!
Ah, the Real Life List of the Joys O’Entrepreneurship! Funny that considering how hard it can feel, it’s still 100% preferable to feeling my soul wither from neglect.
I actually laughed out loud at your wording in 1- “You will feel overwhelmed and more than once, confused as to which direction to go,” More than once? would that be per day? per week?LOL I think this is part of the beauty of the internet–that we can find much appreciated encouragement and inspiration from each other’s journey.
Shawn, I just checked that cute video at the end of your post – is he yours?
Very cute…!
What is wrong with us!! 
It IS funny how we all prefer it. Has humanity moved towards insanity?
I am so glad you decided to share your thoughts. It’s wonderful to have validation from my fellow entrepreneurs.
Actually, that little cutie is my niece =)
You know, as far as the hard work goes, I think that overall, we are so relieved and thrilled to have the opportunity to express creatively and to manifest our dreams, that we are willing to be so extreme–one step short of insanity perhaps? The Next step is to then do all that wonderful work in a sustainable, healthy way!
Shawn, expressing ourselves fully and creatively is like a breath of fresh air, and so liberating and satisfying that we are willing to put up with so much – you are absolutely right!!! Thanks so much for sharing. This is really helping me gain even better perspective. My readers ROCK
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I had to keep scrolling up to indeed make sure that I didn’t write this in my sleep. I then got misty and teary eyed as I resonate with every word. Dramatic, a little but I think you get my point! What a great article! I can’t wait to share it!!!
Dear Darlynn, you know it. Kindred spirits. I am so happy to see you here. Thank you for reading, for speaking your mind and for sharing!
PS: I took a peek at your site and it has a LOVELY vibe!
Is it weird that I found this scary and inspiring at the same time? I’m quitting my job in a month and I honestly can’t wait. My so-called job is killing my soul and I just want to do my own thing…
Thanks for the inspiration!
Glori, welcome here. I think it’s a wonderful serendipity that you did. So you are quitting. Well, congratulations!! I wish you the very best. And I hope you come back here to share your updates.
It is so important to call things as they are and hats off to you for doing that. Being an entrepreneur is no different to any other aspect of life – there are good times. Bad times. Sometimes it feel like an uphill struggle. Sometimes it flows easily and beautifully. Sometimes we know exactly what we are doing. Sometimes we haven’t got a clue.
But as you point out, having some sort of view that working for yourself is a doddle, or listening to folk who are peddling that nonsense is setting yourself up for a big fall. Keeping it real is what it is all about!
Dear Ali, you would know it, I know!! Keeping it real – I love it. It’s been so good to hear the resounding YES around this post, and it makes me feel less alone and more empowered. Lovely to see you here, Ali!!! Thank you for sharing your ever useful thoughts.
Hi Farnoosh
I have to disagree personally as I don’t find it hard, work long or hard, have ups and downs with my self esteem, lose work life balance or security financially working for myself. I have lots of fun and even though I often work from my own living room I always get dressed in smart, comfortable ‘work’ clothes and if I’ve been in the ‘office space’ all day I make sure I leave my flat at end of work time and walk around the block to signify I’m coming home. I have business meetings with my ‘internal’ boss that always put me straight when doubt creeps in that I’ve made an unwise decision and this also in a lovely way feels like I’m actually in partnership with someone, even though I know it’s really me.) All of your ugly things happened more to me when I worked as someone else’s employee not whilst self employed. Its a breeze compared to my experiences of the corporate world.
I wish you luck on your courses and absolutely agree that these things are important to become aware of, nipped in the bud and prevented from returning so you can have the work and life you love. Like me!
Dear Julie-Ann, what a fresh perspective. Thank you so much for sharing your joy of self-employment. I certainly feel heaps and heaps of joy too or else I wouldn’t be doing it – I was just focusing on the ugly part here, which you have managed to skip altogether but which many struggle with on the road to self-employment.
Hi Farnoosh
No I haven’t skipped the ugly part it just doesn’t effect me because of the strategies I have mentioned and my last sentence pointed out I am aware of the ugly parts for others. Perhaps my comment can bring hope to your readers that is doesn’t have to be ugly being self employed and it can just be joy, joy, joy.
Hi Farnoosh, I have been reading your posts for a while now, but this one gives me a new perspective. I think when I tuned into your posts, I thought, this person is already successful doing what she is doing. She doesn’t have need for my voice. But after reading this post, I realize it probably doesn’t matter how successful you are, when you are working from home, there are still going to be those days (that because you are alone) you get into self-doubt. So I’m responding today to tell you that I’ve been reading your posts, and I’ve been listening, and what you are doing is making a difference.
I’m glad you spoke up about the dark side. I have had a blog for almost a year, trying to figure out my “focus” and my “passion” and how can I turn it into something profitable. The last three months I’ve been working in earnest, and I have this focus now, and it’s just a matter of time to put it all together. I still have my full-time job (I’m one of those who is SOOOOOOOOO ready to quit), but my passion is all about turning my blog into a full time venture. My job sucks the creative life out of me, and tires me out. Somehow, though, I’ve had it in me to continue doing my blog at night after work. Even when I am so tired and so discouraged and feeling like I should give up–but I CAN’T give up! I am convinced this is what I am to do with my life! So, I’ve been putting in the hours and the hard work, and I’ve already been experiencing much of what you wrote about, except for the part about doubting whether I should have left my job (because I haven’t left it). Thank you so much for writing this post.
Dear wonderful Bethany, you are so welcome – so very welcome! I am SO happy that you feel what I create here makes a difference, that is my biggest reward. Thank you.
And as for your situation, honestly, your attitude is the most important and it is the healthiest, I see you are openly acknowledging that yes, it IS a lot of work, no kidding, but you are willing to do it, and create the conditions that will let you do something you love. Just remember, don’t think of turning your blog into full time income…. but instead, think of building a business around it. I believe when you start thinking of your blog, your work, your writing as a *business*, you can then go so much further. Keep me posted and all the very best.
Thank you for sharing the honest side of being an entrepreneur. I feel I was born one as well and opened my first business at 22 years old. Now at 40, I’ve owned several businesses and have been employed as well…I always go back to working for myself even though it is harder. It is rewarding if you can recognize your “mini-successes” throughout the day or week. It can get lonely like you mentioned, that is why I make sure to attend networking events (makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something while socializing amongst the living). Recently, I picked up a 3 day PT job working somewhere completely enjoyable. This way I have another opportunity to meet new faces, possibly network and feel productive in another capacity.
Hi dear Maria, thank you for being here, and for sharing your lovely thoughts. You have been an entrepreneur for a long time – bravo! I know what you mean – as you saw from my post – the loneliness etc. and how very smart of you to go to networking events. I really must do more of that, I must!! And when I do, I will attribute it to you – thank you dear Maria and come back anytime and all the best with your new balanced arrangements, I am sure it’ll all work out beautifully.
So sweet of you! Savvy women sharing savvy insight…love it!
Salam Farnoosh, like you I’m a born entrepreneur, did the 9 to 5 thing for a few years and it almost killed me. Fortunately I found my way into a career I absolutely love and have worked more 16 hours days than I can count.
My friends often comment on how “lucky” I am but they only see the results, not the effort and time that has gone into becoming successful. What so many people don’t understand is that we can all have our own version of success if you’re willing to do whatever it takes.
P.S. Awesome blog, just found you tonight and thoroughly enjoyed reading you. Later…
Salam to you too, Marti. It’s WONDERFUL to hear from another kindred spirit. Long hours. Doing what we love. Who cares. It’s pure joy. But I had to share the ugly truths so nobody mistakes it for a lazy paradise ….
And it’s really hard for friends to relate – I get that now. It took me a while. Thank you so much for stopping by. Glad you found me tonight! Come back again, Marti.
Farnoosh,
I just wanted you to know – I’m not giving up! Just ready to find a new way that allows me to have a life offline.
So great speaking to you – you made my day!
xoxo,
Angela
So glad to hear you are just finding what works best for you, my dear Angela. Always here for you!
Sweet, amazing (& thankfully honest
) Farnoosh, thank you for this post! I use to, naively, be one of the people who believed that “an over-night success” was a phrase to be taken literally – that you could actually achieve the success most people dream of over-night (usually thanks to a little persuading from one of those infamous, eye-catching “Earn at least ‘$###,###.00’ in less than 48 hours…so easy, anyone can do it!” advertisements…lol). I know now that it takes a lot of hours, weeks, even years, effort, frustration, sweat, pain (physical, emotional, & mental), learning to find out what works for you, & that all trying stuff. This is why, to me, there has to be a bigger reason/drive for why you want to build your own empire, however big you want that to be…you need to have a true passion and purpose for what you’re setting out to achieve.
I also personally have tasted what it feels like to have such a hard time appreciating the little achievements when no one knows you’re there doing all that hard work. I realized, though, that when you’re on the journey of self-employment you need to show love to those little achievements…it’s like once you share some love with the baby-step achievements they send out a message to the “big boys” inviting them to come too, & the bigger, more recognizable ones start coming to the party.
You’ve got to be willing to at least try, as hard as it may be at some times, and send out gratitude for the positive things (no matter how small) already happening in order for you to have the even more amazing things brought into your life.
Thank you for sharing with us the truth on what really comes with building a life that is all your own. These can apply to really any area when you are traveling on the less visited (but more amazing) paths in your life, especially in business. Wonderful post, dearest Farnoosh!
Dear Cassandra, you are spot on and it’s great that you have such a good handle on reality and know how to smell a spam from miles away
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Yes to celebrating small successes. Everyone I know that is super successful has made a habit of doing that and I am doing the same. That could be anything from selling a tiny product to getting a new reader email or having someone recognize something you did and more than anything, when you hear from someone that says what you did made a difference in their lives. Well worth celebrating.
So happy to have you here and I can’t wait to celebrate your success with you, Cassandra, my dear friend.
Fantastic post Farnoosh. Very raw and truthful. Thanks for sharing!
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