Own boss or work for others?
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26189)
Singapore
July 8, 2017 9:19am CST
This issue maybe relevant to all as it crops up often – why not become own boss than be at the beck and call of others? I have tried both and I found out I was not cut out to be my own boss.
To be own boss was tough despite the obvious independence it brings but I found out instead of reporting to one I was reporting to many! And then the commitment was more to an extent my involvement became 24/7. Soon it was back to working for others.
My area is accounts and finance and I worked with total involvement. I could not rest in peace if the organization was not doing well. I stuck to one place; in fact for more than thirty years! At other places too I did my best to see that companies not only survived but also laid solid foundation.
So why not stay as my own boss? Maybe the main issue was the work was at the back of my mind all the time as there were many clients.
I have no regrets with my choice to remain employed though I had to call it quits than be asked to leave whereas if I was running my own business I could work till I dropped. Then again, I wanted to stretch my legs before they gave up on me!
What is your take on this issue?
Image from Wikimedia
12 people like this
12 responses
@allknowing (130067)
• India
9 Jul 17
I have worked for a multi national for several years and have had bosses, some good , some bad. Having said that the hassle of running a business which I did for a few years does weigh one down.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130067)
• India
9 Jul 17
@Shiva49 You can say that again. How else will so many businesses thrive?
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26189)
• Singapore
9 Jul 17
I have seen different approaches when running own business.
I am one who tends to take over others' problems while there are many who are quite clear in their roles - others problems remain with them. I think attitude matters more in this regard.
Bosses have come in all shades for me too - few were the pits! siva
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
9 Jul 17
It seems some just have the right personality to work for others, while some really need to be their own boss!
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
9 Jul 17
i would like to be my own boss, if i have a business, but i don';t think i can do that, based on my educational qualifications and profession.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26189)
• Singapore
9 Jul 17
As long as we are contented and with the right attitude, it does not matter whether we are own boss or working for others.
I wanted to give it a try than live with regret for not trying; now I know which side of the bread is buttered for me! siva
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85271)
• United States
15 Jul 17
I am not cut out to be my own boss. I don't want the fate of any company, even my own, resting on my shoulders. I don't mind responsibility, but I don't feel like I would be the best at juggling all the balls in the air that self-employed people have to handle.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
8 Jul 17
some say nobody gets rich by working for others. how long were you self-employed? did you earn more that time?
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
8 Jul 17
It sounds you made the right choice Siva.
You were busy and were satisfied and productive.
For me I would always choose to work independently, though it was never possible to do so.
2 people like this
@innertalks (20994)
• Australia
10 Jul 17
I worked for a large multi-national communications company for twenty years. Then I took a redundancy package there, and I bought my own business. A second-hand bookshop, which I run for four beautiful years.
Unfortunately, even when we are our own boss, we can still get bossed around!!
After my lease expired, the owner of the shop wanted it back again for his own accounting practice. He had been working for the tax department, and now he wanted to try venturing out on his own accountancy practice too.
I was kicked out onto the street. That was the end of my business.
I had been a bit naive, not stitching up a longer lease with him, but thems the breaks.
1 person likes this
@innertalks (20994)
• Australia
11 Jul 17
@Shiva49 Actually, it's good that you could go back again. My mindset was changed by a pledge that I had made to myself that I would never go back to working for anyone else ever again!!!
I am still having trouble at times getting past that mindset, and it has prevented me from seriously looking for another full-time job.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26189)
• Singapore
11 Jul 17
@innertalks I was helping out at the earlier place part time while venturing out.
When I was trying to establish myself, I realized it was not worth it.
Luckily. I maintained good relationship with my earlier full time job as otherwise I would have had to pick up the pieces of employment again.
The issue could have been I was idealistic expecting others to be decent but people were more selfish and I knew I cannot be like them (stoop to that level!)
I will not sacrifice my peace of mind for some extra cash which I would rather forego - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26189)
• Singapore
10 Jul 17
I recall my friend here who loved books to no end and started a bookshop with only his collection running into tens of thousands. When he passed away his wife did not know what to do and donated all the books to whoever was interested. Now it is tough going for bookstores.
I realized that I could not walk away from issues faced by my clients and some came with sob stories to bail them out as the last resort! Their issues became mine. I was into accountancy and financial consultancy that required time to build up but I sort of "chickened out" rather than dig myself in for the long haul. In fact, I beat a hasty retreat as I found myself in quicksand! siva
1 person likes this
