"I love my job, I am my own Boss"

By Mack Thomas

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I love my job, I am my own boss
By Mack Thomas

The American dream has had its third paradigm shift in modern history. At the turn of the century, the American dream was to just become an American, considering that most people were born in other countries. In the 1950’s through the early 1980's shifted to owning a home. Now, the American dream is to own your own business.

A study done in the early 80's revealed that 85% of Americans hated their jobs and in some cases their bosses as well, for reasons ranging from, underpaid, unappreciated, overworked, overlooked, and pretty much unwanted, after they begin to weigh too heavy on the payroll. This is solidified by the increase work-place shootings, employee theft, management-employee conflicts and of course the millions of admitted “clock-watchers”.

Low tech market research
A business associate and good friend came up with this idea for recruiting for his home-base business. He made these ordinary 3 x 5 business cards that read “ I love my job, I am my own boss ” and a website at the bottom. These business cards were placed at gas stations, libraries, doctors offices, office build lobbies, school PTA's, board meetings, grocery stores, restaurants, book stores, little league games, you name it, he probably placed cards there. The response was overwhelming. He thought he had hit the lottery, so many people were signing up for his business. This proved to he and I that people were hurting and wanted relief...bad.

Taking the plunge
Also in the 80's, millions of American took that plunge into starting their own business, in one form or another. The knowledge and skill needed to sustain a business was an after-thought.

Thousands of new businesses were taking that plunge every month, home-based and “brick and mortar” type. According to the Small business administration and home-based businesses of America, approximately, 90 percent are out of business within five years. Why? You may ask. There is a plethora of reasons, ranging from under funding, bad planning, bad money management,wrong product/service to the wrong market at the wrong time, and my personal belief as the Grand-daddy of them all: lack of “passionate focused action”, I realize this last one falls under a lot of different categories (tenacity, stick to-itness, being a warrior, believing the unbelievable and you can probably name quite a few more) .

The 21st century is not just about starting your own business, it’s more about finding a niche that you LOVE (not necessarily to get paid for, because if it is a true passion, your public will gladly pay you more than you are asking for your hard work) and are willing to work at, when all others have stop loving it… This is PASSION!

When the nuances of life are attempting to takeover YOUR life, such as failed marriages, problem kids and/or relatives, medical challenges, financial challenges and the like, you keep pushing forward with your business…. This is FOCUS!

Your time to shine
A million ideas are born everyday, but only one person with that same idea has the fortitude, tenacity and self-discipline to seriously act on it, and stay with it until fruition… This is ACTION!
The 999,999 others just had fleeting thoughts. I have proof that this is true. In 1983, I read a story in my local newspaper in Atlanta about a large number of self-serve gas station customers were driving off without paying…intentionally!, in other words, there were a number of drivers in the Atlanta area , who did not want to pay for gas.

I came up with a brilliant idea of writing some of the big oil companies of that time and suggest a mechanism that would not turn the gas pump on, unless the customer prepaid inside the store or used a bank card at the pump, hence you have today “pay at the pump”. I missed the “mark” because I didn’t take immediate action, actually I only wrote the letter, which I still have to this day. Action as you can see, is of utmost importance.

The most successful entrepreneurs today and yesterday are passionate, focused, and flexible individuals.
To borrow a quote from the great Jim Rohn, “The same wind blows on us all, the difference is how you set the sail.”

You must be willing and able to adjust to varying economic, business, and personal storms to have a real true chance at success in your endeavor. Most quit before the COAL can be turned into GOLD. Don't measure your success by the same yardstick that your friends and colleagues may be using. Robin Sharma (robinsharma.com) says it this way, “ Run your own race.”
Learn to keep your eyes on the prize of your passion, no matter how long it takes....You will love your job, because you are your own boss