Why Do Most People Choose To Become Self Employed?

I would like to start off first with a big thanks to YOU for taking the time to read my thoughts. I promise to do my best in delivering the most relevant information at all times.

First. What is self employment? A general definition is that when you are self employed, you own your job.
This is not to be confused with owning a business. Although similar, they're two totally different things. If more clarification is needed on this feel free to request it.

To Proceed: Why do most people choose to become self employed? I've had the opportunity to meet many entrepreneurs and most of them chose to work for themselves after being let go from their jobs, some of them still have jobs and just need supplemental income, and another group are fed up with working for others and left their job to work for themselves. Is this you? Today's economic climate is the breeding ground for self employment and the jump start many of us need. Even with speculation that we're bouncing back, people are no longer beat to depend on the government or their jobs to truly fulfill their long term needs and wants. Realizing that the only person who really knows and cares about your needs and wants is you, you're determined to get it.

I am often asked about the process of becoming self employed. Is it hard? Does it take long? The answer to these are both NO. It's not hard at all and you can be self employed by the end of the week. No Really. BUT, and that's a big but, it's more to it than that. Self employment brings on it's own rewards and hardships, ups and downs, reliefs and frustrations, freedoms and restraints that only someone who has been there can know. Being self employed isn't for everyone, but it may be for you. Here's how you can tell.

Are you tired of working for other people?
Are you willing to put in long hours.
Can you set goals and a plan?
Do you have a vision and desire to make it real?
If you ask yourself these questions and answered
yes, then typically self employment is for you.

Were you laid off from your job do to being late
and/or counter productive?
Do you want to work for yourself so you can sleep later?
Do you lack drive?
Do you find it hard to set goals and plan?
If you ask yourself these questions and answered
yes, then typically self employment isn't for you.
However, do not be discouraged, because these are things that can be worked on.

I hope that you have found this brief post helpful. I will elaborated more on the process of becoming self employed, starting a business, the similarities and differences between them and the pros and cons in later posts, but before you go I would like to share a short story about my road to self employment.

I can tell you that when I made the choice to become self employed, it wasn't do to the economic situation present today. In 2002, I was attending the Institute of Audio Research in Manhattan, NY. It was a bit of a shock to almost everyone  I knew, because I was expected to be the one to live the "dream", and go to college and all that good stuff. To pay for my education and afford a living, which I was barely doing, I entered the work force, Wendy's work force. After flipping burgers, taking out the trash, dealing with customers attitudes for minimum wage for a few months, I knew that I didn't fit into the employee category and set out to find a better way. A more simple, pleasant and rewarding way. Not knowing anything about starting a business, I linked up with the my step dad, who thought he was the ultimate hustler. He had a dollar store and a hot dog stand, and now with me around a water stand. And so it was, I started my great leap into the world of the self employed in the summer of 2002 selling Poland spring water for $1. I've come a long way since then and still a long ways to go.

Oh yea, I'm in the process of developnig a website and I need as many opinions as I can get. Advice and suggestions are welcome. Thanks