Today is my birthday, so I thought “what better time to assess my life and work?”

I came across an article this morning while browsing one of my favorite forums that talks about people who work for themselves being happier than those who work for an employer.

I couldn’t agree more! I spent 12 years in retail, most of that in management positions, and then several years working for the U.S. Postal Service before finally taking the leap to making my own business a full-time career. It would be dishonest to say that I didn’t enjoy my time in retail and with the USPS, I generally did. The people I got to know and work with were great, many have become life-long friends, and the jobs were always “fair pay for a fair day of work”, which is all I’ve ever asked for.

However, there is a level of freedom and satisfaction that comes from working for yourself (especially when you’re enjoying some success) that I’ve never experienced while punching time clocks; and that makes the hard work and struggles of cutting your own career path worth it.

Then there’s the money, which is the only thing in the article I found odd. The research that the article is based on says that most people working for themselves put in more hours for less money, even though they’re happier doing it. I agree on the hours, which is why I force myself now to schedule non-work related time into my days (I’ve talked about this here many times), but I don’t agree about the money.

Most of the folks I’m friendly with who have gone full-time to working for themselves as I have, are now earning more from their business ventures than they did collecting a regular salary. It may take a couple of years to build your business, but if you’re dedicated to learning and growing I know first-hand that it can be done. Please keep in mind that I’m referring to folks like myself who make their livings with web based businesses. It may be harder or different if your venture is a brick-n-mortar operation, I can’t really speak on that.

So, having spent time reflecting over my morning coffee, assessing my life and work I can honestly say that I’m very happy with where everything is at for me, and looking back I wouldn’t change a single thing at this point. I’m financially comfortable (there’s always more to be made), with each month that passes I’m able to devote even more time to family and friends (and spend less hours working), and I’m living a good life by every standard I have to define that…which makes today a very happy birthday for me.

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Also See:

• My Google Reader Shares – September 22, 2009
• Strengthen the Primary Site
• Time for a mea culpa minute
• My Google Reader Shares – February 13, 2009

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 at 10:52 am and is filed under Business, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.