4 Ways to Know It's Time to Make the Leap and Start Your Own Business
Abhay Shukla
Data Analyst | Data Scientist | Machine Learning Enthusiast | Transforming Data into Actionable Insights
51 percent of Americans are interested in being self-employed, however most don’t start their own business, largely out of fear of what would happen if they don’t succeed. I was part of the 51 percent and feared remaining part of that statistic forever, never taking the leap to go out on my own.
1. Know your numbers.
Two of the biggest reasons people don’t start their own business are financial fears: lack of a steady income and enough personal savings to start a business. If you’re ready to go out on your own, be crystal clear on how much money you have going in, how much money you need to make to live at a level you’re comfortable with and how that all translates to client numbers, immediately and for the future.
2. Decide it’s happening, no matter what.
Regardless of the reason you’re starting your own business, be it for the love of what you do, freedom to control your work experience or to build a legacy, it’s important to dedicate yourself to making the business happen. For me, it went from being "what if?" to "when?” I decided I was going to make this transition in my life, without question, and it took the guess work and the over analysis out of the equation.
3. Trust your intuition above all else.
There is no one who can tell you, ultimately, what’s right for your life and your business but you. Trust your gut. Research has shown how our bodies are able to speak intuitively to our minds when it comes to making decisions, big and small. The wisest parts of me knew that it was time to make the shift in my life in the pursuit of what I was ready to create.
4. Make the leap.
There comes a point where you have to make the investment in yourself and your businesses and walk away from what's no longer serving you. It doesn’t have to all happen in the same day, but the quicker you start creating your business plan, the sooner you can start putting it into motion and starting your own journey. After all of the preparations you’ve made to get to this point, don’t be afraid. I had one client when I made that leap, but somehow I knew I was doing the right thing.
It’s your turn. Think about what you want the most and how your life is supporting those desires. If your life isn’t supporting those desires, it may be time to make the leap. Don’t feel like the life you want is too far from reach. Quite often, it is just one decision away.