The Trials and Tribulations of Working By Yourself

No matter how many articles you read on the subject, you have no idea what it is like to work from home until you do it yourself. For instance, conversation around the water cooler is about as interesting as talking to yourself. Office romances are practically impossible. And just try asking the boss for a raise. Impossible! The company softball team? Forget it!

Then, there are issues like payroll and benefits. There are months when you might not get paid at all. And the benefits are usually non-existent. You don’t get sick days off. And you are on your own for dental. The trials and tribulations of working by yourself seem to go on forever; it is a wonder anyone even bothers to try. But in case you are bound and determined to do just that, here are some of the better career options, and why it may be worth the risk;

Real Estate

It does not take four years to get a real estate license. Like finance, you can make money in an up market or a down market. You can be a buyer’s agent, or a seller’s agent, or both. You can work by yourself, or join an established team like “Succeed at Eagle“. It is quite possible to find the same drive and professionalism you value in yourself, as part of the DNA of a large and growing organization.

Should you choose to go it alone, there are certain things you are going to need to do in preparation.

1. Get educated. There is a lot to learn about real estate. And there are lots of resources to be had for free. Don’t just assume that you will learn everything you need to know to be successful during the licensing process. You need to know about the economy, business administration, and sales just for starters.
2. Get licensed. There is no such thing as one size fits all licensing. Will you be focusing on commercial or residential? Where will you practice? Different places have different rules and different licensing requirements.
3. Get motivated. Like any other sales project, the job can be emotionally draining. You have to learn how to be motivated even during the down times when nothing is going your way.

There is nothing quite like helping people find the home of their dreams. Real estate is both sales and service. You are not just serving the individual, but the public.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is one of the greatest self-employment opportunities there is, and will continue to be for some time to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 22% growth: much faster than average. At just over $38,000 annually, don’t expect to acquire vast wealth. But roughly $19.00 hourly is a solid income.

Educationally, you will need to go through the licensing process your state requires. It usually involves a few months training from either specialty schools or your local community college. While marketing is important, you may have an easier time finding a clientele in this business than in most others.

Your customers don’t need to be sold on the merits of massage therapy. They are already true believers. Services, like being mobile and going to them during flexible hours, will keep your phone ringing, and your schedule full.

Freelance Writer

If you have a gift for clever turns of phrases, or just have something interesting to say, you can start a career in freelance writing this very hour. You can work from home, a coffee shop, a park, and just about any other place in the world. As for educational requirements, if you can read this, you probably already meet them.

You can either know a little about a lot of things or know a lot about a few things, depending on whether or not you want to specialize. You can start your blog, or write for a content broker. One day you may find yourself writing about the best deals on baby clothes. The next day, you may be writing about something so consequential, it may inadvertently change the world if read by the right person.

There are challenges to working by yourself. But the joys of helping people find a home, reaching peak relaxation, and opening minds are worth it.