{"id":9221,"date":"2012-02-17T22:19:34","date_gmt":"2012-02-18T06:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=9221"},"modified":"2013-09-17T09:24:45","modified_gmt":"2013-09-17T17:24:45","slug":"why-you-should-consider-starting-your-own-business-even-if-youre-currently-working-full-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/why-you-should-consider-starting-your-own-business-even-if-youre-currently-working-full-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Consider Starting Your Own Business (Even if You’re Currently Working Full-Time)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Have you ever thought about striking out on your own, perhaps turning a hobby into a paying gig? If you\u2019ve already got a full-time job, you might think that having your own business is totally unrealistic: you\u2019ve got bills to pay, and you can\u2019t just quit and hope it all works out.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of good reasons to try going into business, though, and if you\u2019ve got an hour or two to spare in the evenings, plus a few hours at weekends, you could definitely give entrepreneurship a go.<\/p>\n

Here are some key reasons why you might want to:<\/p>\n

#1: Make More Money Each Month<\/h2>\n

Perhaps you\u2019ve got no hopes of a raise or a promotion at work … but you want more money. Starting a side business can give you extra cash every month, to pay off debts, save for a vacation, or simply for extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n

If the things you do for fun tend to be pricy, turning them into a business can be a great way to make them pay for themselves. For instance, if you enjoy crafts, you could sell some of your productions on Etsy. You might not make \u201cquit your day job\u201d money … but it can still help you enjoy your hobbies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#2: Give Yourself a Back-Up (or Escape Route)<\/h2>\n

Many people are finding that formally secure jobs aren\u2019t so safe after all. A side business could be a lifeline if you find yourself made redundant, or if your hours are cut.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, your business can provide an escape route. If you\u2019re hoping to get out of your job but can\u2019t find anything else, then getting a business going while you\u2019re still on a regular paycheck is a smart move. Once you know you can make enough working for yourself, you can quit your job.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#3: Learn New Skills<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve been working in the same job for more than a year or two, you\u2019ll probably find that most days look pretty much the same. You rarely get to learn anything new \u2013 which may make you feel uninterested in your work.<\/p>\n

By starting your own business, you\u2019ll pick up a ton of new skills. Some of these will be specific to your particular field (for instance, if you set up as a freelance web designer, you\u2019ll obviously improve your graphic design skills) \u2013 others will be related to business in general (such as negotiation, marketing, time management). All of these skills could be useful in your day job, perhaps helping you gain a promotion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#4: Make a Difference in the World<\/h2>\n

Perhaps you feel as though your regular life isn\u2019t making any real impact on the world around you. If you\u2019re a stay at home parent, you might feel like you want a larger role in life; if you\u2019ve got a mundane job, you might question whether what you do is worthwhile.<\/p>\n

By running your own business, you can make a real difference. You can create something that you\u2019re proud of, and potentially leave a legacy for others too.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#5: Gain Confidence<\/h2>\n

Perhaps you feel that self-employment is for other people, not for you. They might seem braver, smarter, better-connected … whatever it is, you\u2019re convinced they have something that you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The truth is, a huge range of people run their own businesses. Many of them will have felt even less confident than you when they started out \u2013 but developing a business has also helped them develop their confidence and their inter-personal skills.<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You don\u2019t know where starting a business will take you. Perhaps you\u2019ll give it a try and decide it\u2019s not for you … but, as a result, you\u2019ll be more certain about your decision to stick with the day job. Or perhaps you\u2019ll find your skills and confidence growing by the day, and you\u2019ll eventually be able to quit your job to work for yourself, doing what you love.<\/p>\n

If you think running a business just might be for you, check out 9 Steps to Starting a Small Business<\/a> to find out where to go next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever thought about striking out on your own, perhaps turning a hobby into a paying gig? If you\u2019ve already got a full-time job, you might think that having your own business is totally unrealistic: you\u2019ve got bills to pay, and you can\u2019t just quit and hope it all works out.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of good reasons to try going into business, though, and if you\u2019ve got an hour or two to spare in the evenings, plus a few hours at weekends, you could definitely give entrepreneurship a go. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":9224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6],"tags":[4645,66,568,4629,1903],"yoast_head":"\nWhy You Should Consider Starting Your Own Business (Even if You're Currently Working Full-Time) - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you ever thought about striking out on your own, perhaps turning a hobby into a paying gig? 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