Are you self employed?

[Methodician]

Who here is either self-employed, a business owner, an investor, a private contractor of some sort, or in whatever sense earns a decent living without the constraints of a day job?

If so, what do you do?
How's that working for you?
Do you ever miss the stability of a day job?
Do you consider your life really fulfilling?
Do you think you work more or less than you would if you were a wage earner?
Are you passionate about what you do?

No need to answer all the questions unless you feel like it. I just want to get an idea what 'yall manage to do, or would like to do, that isn't a 9-5 type thing.

 

[Turniphead]

I'm currently not making a living this way, but that's been my goal so I'll answer questions anyway.

If so, what do you do? -- Game development.
How's that working for you? -- I've learned relatively quickly, but haven't managed to finish/release anything I'm proud of yet.
Do you ever miss the stability of a day job? -- The stability, yes. The jobs themselves, no.
Do you consider your life really fulfilling? -- Sometimes.
Do you think you work more or less than you would if you were a wage earner? -- More.
Are you passionate about what you do? -- Sometimes.

The biggest issue for me is how much the ups and downs of my moods alter my "productivity'. With a day job you have to go to work even when you'd rather not because of the whole accountability thing. If I could figure out a system where I would really have to be accountable I think things would go more smoothly.

 

[Valentas]

I second Turniphead and plan to become my own boss because I made up my mind that it is independence I need. If I am on a payroll, it can be cut off anytime leaving me unprepared.

If so, what do you do? -- Learning web development. Heavily. Like 6 hours a day.
How's that working for you? -- I learn without rushing much to hammer in concepts by reading material once and it takes some time to internalize. Also, I spend a lot of time practicing what I learned. I think that my learning could be improved but I am happy at the pace I am on.
Do you ever miss the stability of a day job? -- Oh yes. But stability is illusion until your layoff. I intend to work very hard to make my own living and prevent dependency on another person.
Do you consider your life really fulfilling? -- Sometimes. I want to travel more, do some hiking in the mountains of Scotland, to spend some time in nature to rest my brain. I feel quite mentally tired after relentless learning.
Do you think you work more or less than you would if you were a wage earner? -- Significantly more. I have to. Otherwise, I won't reach my goals.
Are you passionate about what you do? -- I am satisfied but not passionate. Learning web development can be tedious at times but rewards are plentiful when you develop something. I remember smiling whole day after my first success. It was minor thing but for me, a major leap.

 

[Vrecknidj]

If so, what do you do?
How's that working for you?
Do you ever miss the stability of a day job?
Do you consider your life really fulfilling?
Do you think you work more or less than you would if you were a wage earner?
Are you passionate about what you do?

For about 15 years I was self-employed as a tutor. I mostly tutored mathematics, but also physics, chemistry, English, and a few other subjects. Most of my clients were students at a private high school and their parents were generally quite wealthy. As such, my income was good. That market dried up eventually, though, so, I haven't done that in a while.

I had a great amount of stability in that job as my tutoring happened during the academic day at that school and so I had to work around their schedule (for the most part -- I did some tutoring on weekends and the summers).

Whether my life is fulfilling has little to do with that job.

I work 80 hours a week presently because I work four different 20-hour-per-week jobs.

I don't know that "passionate" is the right word. And, I am most definitely not passionate about many of the things that I do for employment. But, in some respects, for some of the things I do, I am passionate. I cannot, however, say I was passionate about tutoring.

 

[Goku]

For about 15 years I was self-employed as a tutor. I mostly tutored mathematics, but also physics, chemistry, English, and a few other subjects. Most of my clients were students at a private high school and their parents were generally quite wealthy. As such, my income was good. That market dried up eventually, though, so, I haven't done that in a while.

I had a great amount of stability in that job as my tutoring happened during the academic day at that school and so I had to work around their schedule (for the most part -- I did some tutoring on weekends and the summers).

Whether my life is fulfilling has little to do with that job.

I work 80 hours a week presently because I work four different 20-hour-per-week jobs.

I don't know that "passionate" is the right word. And, I am most definitely not passionate about many of the things that I do for employment. But, in some respects, for some of the things I do, I am passionate. I cannot, however, say I was passionate about tutoring.

wow that is pretty impressive... elaborate?

 

[Affinity]

If so, what do you do?


Manufacturing, wholesale, and online retail of health supplements.

How's that working for you?
It's not at this time. I'm working for it.


Do you ever miss the stability of a day job?


Nope. Because I work a full time job in the evenings.

Do you consider your life really fulfilling?

Some days yea some days no. Yet I continue after that carrot.


Do you think you work more or less than you would if you were a wage earner?


More.

Are you passionate about what you do?


In the beginning yes, but as past indicators have shown, I have not found anything that I've been able to sustain passion in. It either comes and goes or just dissipates.

 

[Affinity]

The biggest issue for me is how much the ups and downs of my moods alter my "productivity'. With a day job you have to go to work even when you'd rather not because of the whole accountability thing. If I could figure out a system where I would really have to be accountable I think things would go more smoothly.

I couldn't help but chuckle, story of my life currently.

 

[Turniphead]

I couldn't help but chuckle, story of my life currently.

I know right.

Today I was thinking about how much of a better fit what I'm attempting to do is than what I did before(retail, obviously worse) so why can't I just do it then?
I need to pay someone to slap me every time I start doubting myself.

 

[Valentas]

What a powerful driving force is burning desire to achieve the goal no matter what...now I can understand what kind of struggles Turniphead is going through with doubts. I sometimes have my doubts too because what I am teaching myself is very hard and frequently over my mental capacity at the moment. However, I found that pushing hard through material increased my intelligence, I can deal easier with topics from the past and that is encouraging. Getting smarter is cool!

My close friend is going through doubts frequently when she needs to internalize thousands upon thousands of body parts of human being and biochemistry during her medicine course. I just said to her: keep it up. No matter what. Too many people quit before reaching greatness. So I wish everybody to find strength, picture yourself after a year in totally different level compared with current one and it will happen.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

I will consider asking some of you for advice as I actually plan the same things. Not much to add, I currently deal with freelancing but that is also a temporary solution in favour of having my own business and skillset.

Anyway, what I see is impressive.

 

[(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

The biggest issue for me is how much the ups and downs of my moods alter my "productivity'. With a day job you have to go to work even when you'd rather not because of the whole accountability thing. If I could figure out a system where I would really have to be accountable I think things would go more smoothly.

You know there is an option to add accountability to your projects. Partnering up with someone, they can hold you accountable and keep you motivated at the same time. It's good to have someone you can talk to about your projects, someone who understands where you're going, why you're going there, and how you are going to do it. This is basically the same as having a job, there's someone that's depending on you, you can't let them down. What will they think of you if you keep wasting your potential? They'll think you're a loser! I have to show them I'm not and show up everyday! I have to keep working at my projects as best I can!

Entrepreneurship is quite a lonely place for most adepts, it really is important to find REAL associates and form connections with them. Not just friends that post on a forum, but someone you can instant message on Skype or Facebook, someone you can send a text message or phone call.

Most local chambers of commerce will allow you to attend one meet-up for free, without being a member. So that you can oversee the group and the general way things work, to find out if it's a good fit for you. Perhaps you could use this as an opportunity to network and introduce yourself to people you'd like to have relationships with in the business community?

I've thought about creating a community specifically to combat the thing you mentioned. Procrastination is a huge problem and with introverts it's probably 10 fold. An online community where people can find partners and keep each others spirits and motivations high with phone calls, meet ups, or emails. Keep each other on track with their goals.

I'll finish it... one day...

 

[Turniphead]

You know there is an option to add accountability to your projects. Partnering up with someone, they can hold you accountable and keep you motivated at the same time. It's good to have someone you can talk to about your projects, someone who understands where you're going, why you're going there, and how you are going to do it. This is basically the same as having a job, there's someone that's depending on you, you can't let them down. What will they think of you if you keep wasting your potential? They'll think you're a loser! I have to show them I'm not and show up everyday! I have to keep working at my projects as best I can!

Entrepreneurship is quite a lonely place for most adepts, it really is important to find REAL associates and form connections with them. Not just friends that post on a forum, but someone you can instant message on Skype or Facebook, someone you can send a text message or phone call.

Yup, I've been on the lookout for someone to partner up with. Finding someone compatible is a little like dating.
I've been doing a few projects with someone, and we sometimes keep each other informed of what we are working on. The problem is that we are probably both too similar. Too easy going and not really able to criticize/push the other.

But, yah, definitely a good thing to try to find.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Because Goku asked me to elaborate:

I teach at one large public university in Michigan (I rotate between biomedical ethics, professional ethics, race and gender issues, and philosophy of science, mostly).

I teach at one large private university in Indiana (I teach mostly math courses in their business school: algebra, calculus, statistics, etc.; but sometimes also teach micro and macro economics, and sometimes organizational behavior courses).

I am a union organizer for three part-time instructor unions in southwest lower Michigan.

I am an ethics consultant for a multinational corporation and serve on their institutional animal care and use committee.

I am the editor in chief for a bunch of Rite Publishing's work, my favorite of which is the 101 series of products, but I also am the editor in chief Pathways magazine.

During the summer I am a camp director at a local camp.

I am also a book reviewer for Oxford University Press, Prentice Hall, and a few other publishers.

Gotta stay busy.

 

[Affinity]

Because Goku asked me to elaborate:

I teach at one large public university in Michigan (I rotate between biomedical ethics, professional ethics, race and gender issues, and philosophy of science, mostly).

I teach at one large private university in Indiana (I teach mostly math courses in their business school: algebra, calculus, statistics, etc.; but sometimes also teach micro and macro economics, and sometimes organizational behavior courses).

I am a union organizer for three part-time instructor unions in southwest lower Michigan.

I am an ethics consultant for a multinational corporation and serve on their institutional animal care and use committee.

I am the editor in chief for a bunch of Rite Publishing's work, my favorite of which is the 101 series of products, but I also am the editor in chief Pathways magazine.

During the summer I am a camp director at a local camp.

I am also a book reviewer for Oxford University Press, Prentice Hall, and a few other publishers.

Gotta stay busy.

Beast.

 

[Methodician]

I'm currently not making a living this way, but that's been my goal so I'll answer questions anyway.

If so, what do you do? -- Game development.
How's that working for you? -- I've learned relatively quickly, but haven't managed to finish/release anything I'm proud of yet.
Do you ever miss the stability of a day job? -- The stability, yes. The jobs themselves, no.
Do you consider your life really fulfilling? -- Sometimes.

I second Turniphead and plan to become my own boss because I made up my mind that it is independence I need. If I am on a payroll, it can be cut off anytime leaving me unprepared.

If so, what do you do? -- Learning web development. Heavily. Like 6 hours a day.
How's that working for you? -- I learn without rushing much to hammer in concepts by reading material once and it takes some time to internalize. Also, I spend a lot of time practicing what I learned. I think that my learning could be improved but I am happy at the pace I am on.
Do you ever miss the stability of a day job? -- Oh yes. But stability is illusion until your layoff. I intend to work very hard to make my own living and prevent dependency on another person.
Do you consider your life really fulfilling? -- Sometimes. I want to travel more, do some hiking in the mountains of Scotland, to spend some time in nature to rest my brain. I feel quite mentally tired after relentless learning.

'Yall I'm in the same boat. I guess it would have been slightly more reassuring to hear someone had already made it but then they probably wouldn't be trolling this forum. I'm working full time but get some free time at work/on the weekends to learn programming. I'm planning to couple it with web development and hopefully start my own web based business, but at least have the option to do programming/web development on a contract basis (for more autonomy) or maybe work for a startup (more exciting) or as a last resort get a job doing that for some big corporation...

You know there is an option to add accountability to your projects. Partnering up with someone, they can hold you accountable and keep you motivated at the same time. It's good to have someone you can talk to about your projects, someone who understands where you're going, why you're going there, and how you are going to do it. This is basically the same as having a job, there's someone that's depending on you, you can't let them down. What will they think of you if you keep wasting your potential? They'll think you're a loser! I have to show them I'm not and show up everyday! I have to keep working at my projects as best I can!

This is very insightful. Maybe some of us INTP's can use this forum to develop a partnership on some project. I have one hell of a website development project pending while I learn to do the gruntwork. I know I can't afford to hire a whole web development team so this has become my only real path to follow my dream. Happy to share some details if anyone is interested.

 

[Variform]

I work 80 hours a week presently because I work four different 20-hour-per-week jobs.

Are you insane? or just one of them 'working poor'.

 

[Vrecknidj]

There are circumstances in my life, and in the lives of my family members, that drive my work week. It is unfortunate.