Take a Break!

My office mate told me, "Go on a vacation leave for 2 weeks and then plan for your business." She did that last April and now she has already filed her resignation. Her last day will be on July 15, 2011.

I also filed my resignation last week, but I was told to take a leave instead and really think and pray about my decision. Honestly, I’m still quite scared what the future holds for me. But I really was tired and stressed, I was convinced I wanted to quit when I handed my resignation paper. Now, I think perhaps all I need is a break. 

Breaks have to be scheduled, otherwise, physical, mental, and even emotional and spiritual breakdown might surprise you.

When I take that break, I will pamper myself. I won’t go out of town or travel, I will just stay at home, wake up late, read my books, watch DVDs, visit our garden, and yes, plan for my business.

I have started giving 30 minutes of each day to business planning and other business actions, but it simply is not enough, especially with the nature of my job where I have to bring home work, in my head and in my bag. With the rate I’m going, it would take probably another five years and great discipline for me to finally turn my plans to reality. God willing, I will do it. 

= Elle

On Becoming My Own Boss

I have been an employee for more than seven years already. Add to that, I worked part-time for almost a year for fast-food chains while I was studying in college. I am now at a fork in my life. Am I ready to let go of the corporate world and start my own business?

 Photo from one of the many business blogs I am reading these day, http://www.vickidonlan.com

I have been entertaining the idea of putting up my own business since I formed a business concept in my mind five years ago. After five years of imagining, I have already witnessed my business grew into an empire inside my head. If only starting a business is as easy as it appeared in my dreams.

I am seriously reading several magazines on business planning and they all say that the best time to put up a business is NOW. I say, it’s very tempting to do so each time I read inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who started small and became successful. But I have so many fears and other reservations. Will I be able to get immediate return of investment? Will I earn more than (or at least maybe even equal to) the amount I am receiving now as an employee? Am I fit to become my own boss?

This blog will be my business notebook springing to online life. I will record here my experiences as an aspiring entrepreneur. It is said that one should not reveal his/her plan otherwise some other people may copy it, but it is also said that plans don’t come to life unless written down and shared to others. This way, one becomes accountable to fulfill his/her plan because there are other people involved now, people who care and support, or people who are negative and wants to see the other down.

I of course hope to find more people on the brighter side, supporting me. And when I finally realize my dreams of running my own business, I will invite all of you to one huge party!