This whole lockdown situation has obviously had a HUGE implication on work and businesses. With so many people losing their jobs, it really does put into the light the fragility of all aspects of life – including our working lives and how quickly and easily it can change. Even if you’ve been in the same role with the same employers for over a decade. As with everything in life, nothing lasts forever.
Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash
However, that’s not to say that this situation can’t teach us many things going forward about work, our working lives and how we can build a healthy and sustainable working life for ourselves. Being a full-time, self employed blogger, I didn’t have to worry about getting fired during the COVID pandemic. Of course, like most other people, my workload did decrease quite a bit near the start – we can’t control EVERYTHING.
But with blogging in particular becoming such a recognized career choice now, the option and opportunity to build an online business is growing all the time. Blogging and online opportunities can be a great starting point into developing business ideas and creating projects to help make you a full-time income and work for yourself in the future.
Related: 7 Things To Consider Before Going Self Employed With Your Blog
I recently launched my first blogging course, which I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do without all the blogging experience I have. Releasing this course has made me aware of all the other avenues I could go down with my blog and online business. And I love knowing I have that freedom.
As for me, I might not have a 6 figure business just yet but I’m growing and succeeding all the time. I absolutely love working for myself and being my own boss, despite it being something that I never planned nor came naturally to me. It actually came about after an incredible hardship and had it not been for that dark time in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
So today I want to share some extra points about why owning your own business could be the future of a healthy working life.
You can make your own working hours
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder”. Well that’s exactly what you can do when you own your own business. You can create your own hours and even give yourself LESS hours and more time to chill and relax. Although when you run your own business, it can definitely be hard to stop sometimes because you’re so passionate but at least you have the option to cut your hours.
Related: How Flexible Working Can Be a Game Changer For Companies & Women
You can work remotely if / when you need to
And if by some nightmare, 2020 happens again and we find ourselves in another lockdown situation or situation where many people can’t go to work for whatever reason, then having your own business allows you to work remotely whenever you need to. This also comes into play when it comes to childcare or unexpected illness.
You can also work anywhere in the world
One point which I think many people would love for themselves is the ability to work anywhere in the world. A huge perk of running your own business? You can run it anywhere! Where would I live if I was a digital nomad with my business?
Tenerife
I’m not sure where in Tenerife (I haven’t got that far yet haha!) but I absolutely adore the Canary Islands so if I was ever to move to a Spanish speaking, warm country, it’d be here. I have many fond memories of this place as well as Lanzarote and Gran Caneria from family holidays. There’s not a single thing I don’t love about it.
Switzerland
One of my Instagram followers lives in Switzerland and whenever she posts a photo of where she lives, I kinda wanna cry a little bit. It’s utterly BEAUTIFUL. And it looks like the perfect place to live and work in utter peace and harmony. It kinda always looks like you’re on the set of a movie and I’m totally down for that.
Japan
Oh cripes, how incredible would it be to move to Japan for a period of time? Of every place listed here, this would be the biggest culture shock of course but I’d probably be the experience of a lifetime too. My boyfriend visited Japan for work a few years ago an he always says how amazing it was.
You have more control over your own mental well-being
This is a big one for me because when I started blogging I was in the worst place mentally of my life. For months, I couldn’t leave the house. Then for years, even the prospect of getting a job was enough to make me have palpitations. Although I’m much better now (in fact, I’ve been UNDIAGNOSED with anxiety!) my mental well-being is one of the most important parts of my life
You can combine your passion with business
Like what Tomasz did, having your own business is a great opportunity for you to NEVER work another day in your life! For you to NEVER hate your job or resent going to work in the morning. Creating a lifestyle business from your passion can help you thrive in ways you didn’t even know were possible!
Related: 5 Things To Consider For Your Online Business
And you can change anything that isn’t working or making you happy
And finally, the control is in YOUR hands. If something you’re doing isn’t working or providing you with the results you want, you can change it. If something is sitting well with you anymore, you can stop it. If something in your business actually ISN’T making you happy anymore, then YOU have the power to change it so it does.
Having your own business has so many perks. And of course, it’s not for everyone. I’m not here to judge anyone on their career choices but being within this industry, I know how much of a popular choice having your own business is for people. And also how desirable it is for those who aren’t quite there yet. So hopefully this post has helped you realise whether running your own business is right for you!