“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation” Aristotle said. The same can be said about going into business for yourself. Finding  your niche and then filling it as a freelancer may seem like the best way to go for the right – brainer. There is a downside to doing it yourself, however, and what seems like a good idea at first may become a nightmare. I think it is the only way to fly, but others find it frustrating.

It takes a certain kind of breed to make it in business for yourself. First and foremost, it takes a lot of hard word. There is no quick and easy road to success. It is likely you have what it takes but, to be sure, take the test below to see if you would be better off in business for yourself or if picking up a paycheck is more your style.

Check off those traits that apply to you.

I am

adaptable, adventurous, a collaborator, confident, creative, dedicated, disciplined, enthusiastic, even-keeled, focused, goal oriented, hardworking, a multitasker, a negotiator, organized, persistent, a problem solver, a public speaker, resourceful, resilient, a risk taker, a self starter, skilled, strong willed, a salesperson, talented.

I like

Being in charge, controlling my own destiny, to build things from scratch, to work alone, networking, learning, writing, talking on the phone, working on multiple projects, experimenting.

I want

To work at home, to pick and choose the projects I work on, to get away from the corporate culture, to be in the spotlight, to work under immense pressure, to be responsible for my own happiness, to travel, to control my destiny.

I can

Budget my money to survive the ups and down of freelance work, delay gratification, manage my time well, be shameless when it comes to promoting myself, work long hours for little or no pay, take orders from and deal with difficult clients, handle rejection well, think big but start small, cut back and make sacrifices if I have to, live without having others appreciate my work, be very self reliant, survive without the perks of corporate life, fly by the seat of my pants.

I have

Some money saved up, access to more money, the support of my family, a skill or service that people would pay me for doing, space for a home office, the basic equipment needed to get started, experience working in my field, no fear.

If you checked off the majority of these traits, you should seriously consider going into business for yourself, it will open up whole new worlds of possibilities for you. If you checked off less than half of these traits, think very carefully before you step out on your own. You are likely more happy in a niche where somebody else is paying the bills (including your paycheck) and bringing in the business. While I admit my own preference for self employment, i am not making judgments for anybody but myself. The important thing is to be honest and to please yourself, not me or anybody else. Then take the self knowledge you have gained and put it to work for yourself.