It is a phrase that I hear so often. “I want to be my own boss”.

As a business mentor, I am forced to ask, if not challenge, why? Why do so many of us seek the difficulties of becoming independent or self-employed? The standard answers include because it looks glamorous / you can earn more / it is more challenging / people hate working for others.

Each to their own. Sometimes, the glamour, tinsel and dreams are simply a collection of fairy dust. Setting up on your own can be far more complex than first imagined. As I point out to many clients, to begin with not only are you the CEO. It is also your job to clean the toilets. You have to realise that it is your responsibility to do ……………everything, and on time.

About three months ago, a distant acquaintance asked me to help her to make some career decisions. Talented and with a level of commercial experience, she wanted to know what she should do next. The options were many and varied. How to continue as a partner in an existing business, which was going nowhere? Should she take an alternative offer of employment? Go back to her old profession? etc etc.

The client began to attend job interviews. However, in my role of business coach, I forced her to state what she really wanted to do and in what framework. The more we pursued this line of questioning, she learnt that where she was currently located had scope for being a ‘dream of dreams’. She was challenged to wake up to the full potential of her environment.

What my client realised was that the key issue is not just to become your own boss. You have to identify what you want to do and what you are good at. Many mentors call this approach as becoming ‘ transparently aware’ of your vision, your strengths and your weaknesses.

The next stages in the business cycle for my client are not simple. For example, she will want to ramp up sales on a shoe-string budget. That said, there is a clear understanding what is the path ahead and why they have the passion to take the journey.