The reality of life is more helpful than the perceptions we carry. The reality of self employment is far different than your perception of it. These three truths aren’t meant to discourage you. Expectations are important. Realistic expectations are vital.

Here are three realities of self employment, and specifically of being a solopreneur.

1. You Create Your Own Momentum

There’s no one telling you when to start. There’s no one telling you that you have to finish.

It sounds like freedom if you’re tired of unrealistic expectations but the lack of designated start and finish lines creates inefficiency.

Deadlines help us move forward. Deadlines create urgency. They are imperative to finishing. When you’re self employed it’s up to you, the start and the finish.

2. You’re Lonely By Default

If you want community you’ll need to go find it. Chatty workplace aren’t always inefficient. Talking shop keeps us sharp. Community gives us a sense of belonging. That doesn’t happen in your home office or at the coffee shop while you wear your headphones.

Community is constructed and nothing is built well without intention, so build community.

Community is constructed and nothing is built well without intention, so build community. https://t.co/mxQZAOafVj

— Andy Traub (@AndyTraub) December 7, 2015

3. It’s Difficult By Design

Self employment is difficult for the same reason marriage, weight lifting, childbirth, paying your taxes on time, and eating lots of veggies are difficult. Things that are worth it are difficult. There is no gain without work, not if what you’re working for is worth something.

A great marriage is work, it’s worth it. Paying your taxes on time takes discipline, is worth it. Self employment isn’t always difficult but when it’s not difficult it’s because you’ve already worked hard to get to where you are.

Romance + Reality

Romance is vital in relationships and if you’re courting the idea of self employment then you deserve to be realistic. Romance puts you close to an idea, hard work helps your idea reach its potential.

Self employment has tremendous benefits. Taking a job is virtually impossible for me to consider. The reality of self employment is still very different than the perception. Proceed, but proceed with realistic expectations.

This may not have been much fun to read but it’s the truth. The truth brings freedom, even when the truth hurts.

The truth brings freedom, even when the truth hurts. https://t.co/mxQZAOafVj #selfemployment pic.twitter.com/OsJPktcZui

— Andy Traub (@AndyTraub) December 7, 2015