Entrepreneur or ???

"When are you going to get a “real” Job?"

Hmmm… Where might I be if I had?

Over the years I have heard that question countless times from well meaning friends and family.Of course, they  thought they were looking out for my best interest. When are you gonna get a real job? For those reading this who know me, you can only imagine how that fueled my doing the exact opposite! Though I must admit, over the years, when times were their most challenging, I did second guess myself more than a few times but the horrid thought of having someone else in control of my time and my future was always too much to bear.

So, recently I was talking to a very dear friend about his job woes. Like so he was used to having a pretty good life courtesy of a pretty great “job” but now finds himself living a pretty scary life thankful to have even a mediocre job. He was one of the masses of laid off (after 21years)and now working in a job doing more than twice the work and getting half the pay, reminding himself how lucky he is to have one  at all (He was jobless for 19 months). I bet you know someone like that too…maybe, forced into early retirement with next to no retirement funds or far worse? Sadly, I know too many men and women like this. For some staggering figures click here,

So, talking got me to thinking about where I might be if I had listened…If I hadn’t ventured into the scary and exciting world of being an entrepreneur.…I believe my story might be something like this…

I might not have cultivated my strong communication skills or expanded my comfort zone so exponentially to gain the true inner confidence to know that no matter what life throws me, I am strong and can handle it. I certainly would not be able to adjust my own schedule as I see fit to be with my daughter when I choose. The thought of having to ask permission to take a day off or be sick makes my stomach turn. Having to work the things that are most important to me around my work schedule vs. my work schedule accommodating my life would probably leave me bitter and perhaps make me feel angry and trapped.

My daughter, wouldn’t have the strong work ethic, people skills and pride in our businesses she already has if she never saw what Mommy really does. She would likely be in before and/or after care at school, leaving me maybe an hour of time with her each night after dinner, baths and activities instead of our normal morning snuggles, our random chats and excursions, our multiple outbursts of song or accented conversations. We might be fighting over homework and rushing every second of every day instead of having lazy mommy and me time as well as ice skating, theatre, choir, music, soccer, virtual charter school and more. She might not be a whole grade level ahead because I wouldn’t have had the ability to spend so much time with her, teaching her from the time she arrived in this world.  And again, I wouldn’t be spending my time working my “job” AROUND my LIFE.

Certainly I would not have been able to spend every necessary minute or hour needed making sure my mom was cared for properly in her final years and all without worry of losing my job. Being with her as she passed was priceless. 

Don’t get me wrong. The path of an Entrepreneur isn’t always easy. It isn’t always simple but it is always equal to your level of belief and commitment to yourself,  your ability to adapt and sheer determination.Don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't work as hard. I often work harder but it is always because it is my choice.

Sure, I might have a pension or maybe not. I might have a few weeks paid vacation and paid benefits or maybe not…I probably wouldn’t get a gold watch or party when I retire. Who gets that anymore? I’d likely have more headaches, back or neck aches, digestive or mental ailments from all the stress of not having control of my future. Fear of job loss, a decrease in pay or benefits would be a normal everyday way of life. 

Of course, I could blame my company or coworkers or even my field if I didn’t wind up as successful as I wanted to be. Being an entrepreneur, the only person I can truly blame is me. Some might see that as a drawback. I see it as an opportunity to be responsible and true to myself, my family, my future...

How would you see it?