Thinking of Being Your Own Boss? An 8-5 Job Role Could Be Your Greatest Investment!
I have seen many post and forums where it seems the odds are against working for someone, what is usually called the ‘8-5’ syndrome.
I can understand some of the arguments and of a reality, everyone would love to embrace being their own boss. This is what every right thinking mindset would support and appreciate.
However, I hold a contrary view because being an own boss doesn’t come on a silver platter. Pivotal to those who hold this view is one’s ability to earn and pay themselves which is a great way to live, but getting to this pinnacle may not be feasible for many until they learn to embrace the ‘8-5’ approach.
Being an own boss requires commitments such as financial, time, and especially expertise in a specialized area, to mention but a few. This not withstanding does not assume that one would be successful. However, it is a risk worth exploring since there’s no Formular to determine when is appropriate to be an own boss, or not.
That’s notwithstanding, it is worthy to mention that most people can start off a side hustle or business utilizing the income from their 8-5 job as a startup capital.
This is a good approach to self independence and financial freedom over an accumulated period.
When applied well, one gains experience in a field whilst working for another person or firm, and earns some money to serve as initial capital over a period. Backed by consistency, one can confidently build a good side business and groom it ahead of time. With time one can gain more knowledge and understanding of the challenges posed to private setups and one can confidently say they are prepared to bid good bye to 8-5 and focus on growing what they started whilst doing a hustle for another person.
Downplaying 8-5, can be detrimental to many great future entrepreneurs since they derive themselves of opportunity to save up over time to start investing into their own vision.
Over the years I have successfully grown three businesses, two of which have performed tremendously well, but I still maintain my 8-5 Schedule and almost all my private startups were from personal savings from my 8-5. It took time but it’s been worth it and I recommend this approach to anyone who desires to be an entrepreneur it lacks the capital to start. Start small on a salaried job and gradually work your way towards your vision by investing little from your income every month or using an investment strategy that’s suits your interest.
Considering the difficulties associated with startups, especially capital, it is prudent to be an employee over a period, whilst gaining experience and also building up your financial capacity little by little to lunch into your own business.
One can never consider 8-5 as waste of time or a fruitless venture. To many of us, it is the best way we can actualize our vision and become the great entrepreneurs we have always desired. It is a greater starter and income earner which serves as an investment to our side business.
This blog shares Five ways you can leverage on 8-5 to become an entrepreneur:
Whilst engaged in 8-5, you can:
1. Leverage on the opportunities provided by your 8-5 role to learn around your vision area.
Many vision bearers who are todays great entrepreneurs started off with an 8-5 role. However they kept their hopes and vision alive. Instead of complaining about your current role, can you start seeing it as a means to generate some income to start a side business of your choice? Remember you may not have what it takes to secure a loan at startup , but you can leverage on your 8-5 income to kick start your own business.
2. Take advantage of your 8-5 to network
Networking is a great way to start your own business. That’s an advantage within the 8-5 schedule since you get to know and meet people from all walks of life who share your ideas and also identifies with you. Remember the people you know today are your potential clientele in the future. A good network gives one advantage in marketing their startups. People in your network can identify with your services since they are well vested in your capabilities and skill set. They are likely to patronize and become brand ambassadors when you lunch out.
3. Be Positive in your 8-5 role
Being positive is a disposition one must adopt whilst engaged in 8-5 role. It can be frustrating and sometimes challenging when one seems not to receive commensurate rewards, or sometimes being placed in roles which may be uncomfortable. However, it is the best opportunity to learn and become a better version of oneself, which will propel them to the next level of owning their own business. With determination and the understanding that an 8-5 is a means to help one start off their own journey to entrepreneurship should be a sustainer.
4. Keep the vision alive
Many great vision bearers have sunk their vision in the pool of forgetfulness for reasons such as comfortable remuneration and conditions within an 8-5. This is a trap one must avoid. Irrespective of the remuneration, always remember no job can pay you more than you can pay yourself. Also remember an 8-5 is for a period and will halt one day. So keep the vision alive and pursue it until it side-by-side. Remember, never abandon your vision is not worth it.
5. Start off by advertising your product whilst engaged in an 8-5
An advert is not necessarily print or media. A normal conversation can be one of the most effective forms of advertising what one has to offer.
Whilst engaging your 8-5 associates, find the best means to chip in one’s a while what you have started. It may take time to gain trust but over time the impact can be tremendous.
A startup may not have the resources to advertise its products, so use the most common medium of communication available to you to spread the news about your products and services. This is a cost effective form of advertisement that can yield great results overall.
In my next blog , I will explore the benefits of a side business whilst engaged in 8-5.
