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There are times when being self-employed feels like hell's favorite option. There are other times when having my own business gives me great joy and deep personal satisfaction. For me, it's better to be self employed rather than work for others because it best fits who I am and what I want.

I've owned and operated a small business since 1989. I'm a general contractor, and I specialize in residential remodeling. In those years I've had plenty of time to look at this question from both sides. My personal answer is long and complex. It's evolved over time as I've learned who I am and what I want. But you really don't need to have those answers when you start out. You just need to know if it's an option for you.

What it takes to be self-employed is simple and straightforward. Self-employed people are persistent, and self-motivated. They can learn, and apply what they've learned. They can make decisions, follow through on what they've decided, evaluate changing information, and react to it. They're confident, but at the same time capable of making mistakes and not being stopped by them. They set goals, and work to reach them.

It takes less than most people think to be self employed. I've encountered self-employed people who displayed what I felt were appalling deficiences in ability, personality, and even character.You don't have to be particularly intelligent or creative or visionary or insightful. You don't have to be a sensitive and thoughtful person, or a fearless, hard-charging warrior. You don't even need to have what is arcanely referred to as "a good business sense." You can rent or buy all of these things from others.

If you do posess the basic requirements, you have the choice. Yet obviously there's a lot more to consider before you make it. Is it a good fit for you? Who are you, and what do you want? I know why I earn my livelihood this way. I know what I get from it, what it's about and what it's not about for me. You'll have to figure out the same things for yourself. I can only share my own answers with you.

I have the basic requirements, but in the end it's not a choice for me. I have to be self employed. What I get from being self-employed satisfies my basic nature, my default setting. I'm independent. It's not a developed quality or a strong preference. It's a to-the-bone part of who I am. I can work well with others, and do. I can be cooperative and team-oriented and work as an equal in group endeavors. I don't need to be the boss, the guiding force,

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