Contrary to popular belief, the self-employment lifestyle is not about leisure, sleeping all day, and barely working.  Quite the opposite, especially in my experiences.  As with many self-employed people I work hard, too hard sometimes.  I am an entrepreneur at heart.  I have too many ideas and not enough time to chase them all.  Client work cuts into most of my time, so what time I can find I am always working on something. Add to the fact that, as a small business I now have to be the accounting department, sales, and production.  It can be overwhelming for many.  You have to truly be dedicated.

I have very few days where I am truly away from my work, especially not for an entire day, including weekends and holidays.  If you are looking for leisure, you had better stick to your 9 to 5 job because I guarantee you it is easier than being self-employed, its just not near as much fun.

Self-employment is more about freedom:  the freedom to work on what you want, when you want, and how you want to do it. Yes, you still have deadlines that you need to meet.  You might still have to occasionally take on a few projects that you would rather pass on.  However, you get to determine what you work on and when.  Don’t like working 9 to 5?  Then work from 12 to 8. Can’t stand a necktie?  Wear sweatpants.

Right now, it is 11:48PM central standard time.  I’m sitting at my dining room table.  I have been working since 10AM this morning.  I spent the morning on some website updates, the afternoon meeting with colleagues, and the evening at home with my family.  After midnight is when I like to do a lot of my productive work.  I have a Red Bull, a box of Everlasting Gobstoppers, and I’ve slipped off my shoes and put on some comfortable shorts and a t-shirt.  I’ll spend the next three or four hours working on a website that is due tomorrow and then I’ll sleep until 9 or 10AM.  It’s my fairly regular routine and it’s what I like to do.

I would love to hear from other self-employed people as to their favorite “ritual” or unusual work habits.