Go From Employed To Self-Employed: Your life gets better when you get better. Work on yourself and the rest will follow. (Motivational Quotes – 48)

"Your life gets better when you get better. Work on yourself and the rest will follow."

The thought of leaving the safety and security of a full-time job to strike out on your own can be daunting. But for many people, the appeal of being your own boss and setting your own hours is too strong to resist. If you’re thinking of making the switch from employed to self-employed, here are a few things you need to know. From figuring out your finances to building a support network, this guide will help you make the transition smoothly and successfully.

Ditch The 9-5 Mindset

The 9-5 workday is so ingrained in our society that it can be hard to imagine any other way of working. Self-employed people don't have the same structure to their day as those who are employed by someone else. They often have more flexibility and can choose when and where they work. This can be a great advantage, but it also means that self-employed people need to be more disciplined about how they spend their time.

Set boundaries between work and home life so you don't end up neglecting your personal life or your health. Whenever you can, and however you can.

Make sure you schedule some time each day or week for activities that you enjoy outside of work. This can be anything from reading, going for walks, or taking a yoga class. Taking some time for yourself will help you relax and recharge so you can be more productive when you're working.

Define What Success Looks Like For You

What does your ideal life look like? 

For some people, success means having the freedom to work when and where they want. Others may prioritize earning a certain amount of money each month. Whatever your definition of success, it's important to have a clear goal in mind.

What do you hope to achieve by going self-employed? Do you want more control over your work/life balance? More flexibility in terms of location and hours? Or are you simply looking for a new challenge? Be specific about what you want to get out of the experience, and use that as your guide as you move forward.

Have a Financial Safety Net

Anytime you make a major life change, it's important to have a financial safety net in place. 

There are a few things you can do to make sure you have a cushion of cash to fall back on during this time of transition:

1. Save up before making the switch 

If possible, try to save up at least 3-6 months' worth of living expenses before making the leap to self-employment. This will give you a buffer of cash to help tide you over during the inevitable bumps in the road.

2. Have multiple streams of income

When you're self-employed, it's important to have multiple sources of income so that you're not relying on just one client or project to keep you afloat. Diversifying your income streams will help ensure that you always have some money coming in, even if one area dries up for a while.

3. Keep your expenses low

One of the great things about being self-employed is that you have more control over your expenses than when you're employed by someone else. Use this freedom to your advantage by keeping your costs as low as possible. This will help stretch your savings further and give you more breathing room financially.

Making the switch from being employed to self-employed can be a scary proposition, but if you take the time to prepare financially, it doesn't have to be. By saving up, diversifying your income, and keeping your expenses low, you can set yourself up for success in this new chapter of your life.

Be Optimistic

It’s a scary thing, becoming self-employed. You’re suddenly responsible for your own income, your own health insurance, and your own retirement savings. It can be a lot to handle, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. But being self-employed also comes with a lot of perks. You get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and if you work online, you can be anywhere. You can take advantage of tax breaks and deductions that are available. 

An entrepreneur mindset is focused on the long-term. They're always thinking about how their decisions will affect their business in the future. You too can achieve this by expecting the best possible outcome from a situation and working to make it happen. It’s not just looking on the bright side – it’s taking action to make your dreams a reality.

When you become self-employed, there will be ups and downs. You might have months where you bring in a lot of business and others where you struggle to find clients. Stay optimistic during the tough times and believe that things will eventually turn around.

Invest In Yourself

There's no better time to invest in yourself than when you're making the transition from employed to self-employed. When you're your own boss, you have the freedom to make decisions that will benefit your business – and yourself – in the long run. Here are a few ways to do just that:

1. Invest in your education

Whether it's taking courses, attending conferences, or reading industry-related books, continuing your education will help you hone your craft and become a more well-rounded business owner.

2. Invest in your health

When you're self-employed, there's no one to tell you when to take a break or take a sick day. That's why it's important to be proactive about taking care of yourself – both physically and mentally. Make sure to schedule time for exercise, relaxation, and healthy eating habits into your week.

3. Invest in your relationships

Building a strong network of supportive friends, family members, and colleagues is essential for any business owner. These relationships can provide invaluable advice, feedback, and assistance when you need it most.

Build Your Brand

Your brand is what sets you apart from the competition and defines how you want to be perceived by potential clients.

Think about what makes you unique and what message you want to communicate. What are your core values? What do you want people to know about you? Answering these questions will help you develop a strong branding strategy.

Once you have a clear understanding of your brand, start creating content that reflects it. Write blog posts, create social media posts, and develop marketing materials that communicate your brand message and show off your unique personality.

Join Support Networks

When you're employed, you have a built-in support network in the form of your co-workers. But when you're self-employed, it's up to you to create your own support network. There are a few ways to do this:

1. Join or start a mastermind group. This can be an invaluable support system, as you'll have people to turn to when you need advice or motivation.
2. Get involved in online communities. There are many online communities dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed. These can be great places to get advice and connect with other self-employed people.
3. Attend networking events. Meet other business owners and build relationships that can lead to collaboration down the road.
4. Hire a business coach or consultant. If you're feeling really stuck, hiring a business coach or consultant can give you the guidance and accountability you need to get things moving in the right direction again.

Know How To Sell Yourself

There's no sugarcoating it: the transition from employed to self-employed can be a scary one. But there are ways to make the leap less daunting, and one of the most important is to make sure you've got a solid plan for marketing your business.

Before you quit your day job, take some time to identify your target market and figure out the best ways to reach them. Once you're up and running, keep marketing a priority - it may be the difference between success and failure.

Don't be afraid to experiment until you find which marketing channel works best for you. Whether it's online advertising, PR, content marketing or good old-fashioned networking, make sure you're putting yourself and your business in front of as many potential customers as possible.

Be Prepared For Setbacks

It’s inevitable that there will be some bumps along the road when you’re self-employed. Rather than getting discouraged, use these setbacks as learning experiences and remain positive that things will eventually work out in your favor. When you have confidence in your abilities, when things are going wrong, you can stop and restructure your plans to move forward.

Remember It's Not All About the Money

There's more to life than just making money. When you're self-employed, you have the opportunity to create a lifestyle that works for you. Maybe you want to spend more time with your family, or travel the world. Whatever your goals are, remember that you have the power to create a life that's meaningful to you.

Of course, making money is important. But it's not the only thing that matters. Keep your bigger goals in mind as you make the transition from employed to self-employed. It'll help you stay motivated and focused on what's truly important to you.

Contributors: TJ Salvatore, Mami Yamashita and Ray Alexander 

Do you want to share your own quote poster with us? We'll feature it on one of our Motivational Quotes pages and promote it across social networks for you! Check the detail here.