I can't tell you the number of times things have been assumed about me because I am self employed.I've either overheard or picked up Some things are good, some bad. Most are just wrong.
My business began during a time of intense turmoil in my life, both professionally and personally...until that moment of Divine Intervention. Prior to that moment, I spent the first 3.5 years of my son's little life juggling a young career and a young life. Not the easiest thing I've ever done. Committed to being with my first son as much as possible, I was actually paying for full time daycare to send him part time, or at least the hours I needed them. There was no "flex" time available. My part time work was actually a full time salaried job, downgraded to hourly and forced into a 25 hour a week time frame, at my request. I did this at my last two positions, I kept all my duties, but did them in less time. It made me very efficient, but also took some money away and kinda made things really rough. But it kept me in the game during a time when I could have easily dropped off the field.
Just a few examples of the nutty assumptions of the self employed:)
1. I am available 24/7. This applies to the fact that I have a home office. Personally this means that it is assumed that it's easy to tend to the house and to my work simultaneously. Most of this assumption comes from, well, me. I absolutely HATE working a house that is not tidy. I put a ton of pressure on myself to do it "all" and I am trying to change that.
2. I have a ton of free time. I can't remember the last time I watched anything regularly on tv, or wanted to actually. The fact that I take yoga and work out - well those "extra curriculars" come at 5:45 a.m. if I am lucky enough to sneak out before my baby starts wailing. Anything mid day or late afternoon is out of the question b/c it's the Carrie show until hubby comes home around 6:30.
3. Life is easy when you work for yourself. This may be the funniest one. Life isn't easy for anyone, much less those who find themselves on constant interviews trying to land new clients (which happens much more often than when you are working for someone else), ensure "paychecks" are received on time and those who work for you are paid promptly. If one item in that equation goes wrong, guess who is ultimately responsible and has to cover it?
4. I'm just lucky that I am self employed. There have been many times where I have been blessed to be pursued by various companies at the same time. There have been times when I have actively sought new clients. I'm always working. Hard. Luck has nothing to do with it.
5. I have it easy. In some ways this is true, in that in SOME ways, I have it easier. Unless there is a set meeting, I don't have to stress about how I look before 8 a.m., I can load the dishwasher and then sit down to work, etc. However, I have to be an expert time manager to meet the needs of multiple "bosses" and their individual deadlines in addition to caring for my family and handling most of the family business. It's just what is. Hubby works too long and too late and therefore if I am not on my game every day, no one gets to play, which is unfortunate.
It is 100% true that I am way happier working for myself - no assumption here - just fact. It's scarier being my own fearless leader, but I would not trade this life for a job that paid a ton more. Being with my kids and having a crazy, but flexible schedule, it so worth it.
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