By Felena Hanson
As women we tend to be more cautious when it comes to decision making and risk taking. It is our nature to have everything in order and feel like we’re 100% prepared. That’s why when women feel stuck in their corporate job it can sometimes take a long time to “lean out” and launch their own business. Quite often the need to seek approval, the fear of failure (or conversely, the fear of success), and the feeling that they are not “ready yet” can prevent women from taking the leap! Taking some time to step back and really listen to our dreams and passions can go a long way to determining whether we are suited to be our own boss.
1) Are you passionate?
You have a good idea for your business, but do you feel like your business idea is what you were put on this earth to do? The answer is yes if you tell everyone you know about your idea and you let them know of the dream you want to build.
2) Are you independent?
You have always wanted to blaze your own trail rather than follow the herd, and this may be one of the many reasons you feel stuck in the corporate world. If you’ve always been the girl that zigged when others zagged, then you are most certainly independent and suited to be your own boss.
3) Are you motivated?
You are willing to work nights and weekends on your idea, your passion for what you believe you have to offer the world gives you comfort in knowing you may miss out on special events and experiences. If missing out on such moments in life while you build your dream business feels worthwhile to you then, yes, you are motivated.
4) Are you disciplined?
Take stock of your behavior in your daily life. Do you follow through with your New Year’s resolutions even when others falter before spring? Do you do simple things to simplify your life, such as color code your calendar, all so you can be organized about your responsibilities and deadlines? If you’re answering yes to these questions, then you are definitely disciplined.
5) Are you stuck?
Perhaps out of all the self-interview questions you can come up with, this is the most critical, because it will determine whether you will dedicate yourself to becoming the best boss of YOU that you can be. You will feel stuck in your corporate job when you hit a wall and no longer feel any fulfillment from your job. This crippling sense of lack of fulfillment coupled with your business idea will become the catalyst to launch you on your way to becoming your own boss. It might feel frightening to think about entrepreneurship, but always bear in mind that women, when given the chance, interact differently and are instinctively more collaborative in their approach to business. Allow this difference to empower you enough to get past the fear of being your own boss. While there isn’t a real formula for being an entrepreneur – much of it is common sense and solid people skills – there is a sense of vital energy in just shouting “YES!” and going out and figuring it out on your own. Doing so will go a long, long way to helping you feel “unstuck “professionally.
Felena Hanson is the founder of Hera Hub, a spa-inspired shared workspace and community for female entrepreneurs and author of Flight Club – Rebel, Reinvent, and Thrive: How to Launch Your Dream Business, which provides tools and resources to women in every stage of launching their business. For more information, please visit, www.herahub.com and connect with Felena on Twitter, @felenahanson.