By Dr. Chris Downs

This is the second in a series of blogs on the reasons why most people open consultancies.

#2 – Consulting to be In Charge

Many consultants open their business because they want to call the shots. They want to be the primary, even sole reason why their business succeeds or fails.

There are many advantages of being “the boss” when you’re a consultant! When I opened my own company in 2008, I had to make decisions about everything from when my workday began and ended, to whether or not to order more office supplies, to which prospects I’d contact each day.

Honestly, when I opened my practice, I was a bit overwhelmed with the sheer number of decisions I had to make on a daily basis. It felt like a mixture of exhilaration and panic. I was absolutely free to make every single decision about my company and how I ran it, but realized I was also 100% responsible for every misstep, failure, and poor decision along the way.

In conversations with other consultants over the years, I’ve heard them say many encouraging things about being responsible for themselves and their company:

· “I love that I’m finally in charge.”

· “I find running my company exhilarating.”

· “I now have the flexibility I never had back at that 9-5 job.”

· “At long last I have a shot at the income I’ve always dreamed about.”

· “Working for myself from home is a dream come true.”

· “I love my new commute: from my kitchen table to my office in the spare bedroom.”

· “I’m the only one to approve my own vacation requests.”

I’ve also heard consultants express downsides of being one’s own boss:

· “I had no idea I lacked the discipline I needed when I first opened the company.”

· “I’ve never worked harder in my life. Much of my time is spent figuring out each day’s priorities.”

· “At first, I loved not being back at my old job, but within 6 months I was really lonely and isolated.”

· “Before I started this I thought the only thing I’d have to do is market, then get and do jobs. Uh…nope. There’s bookkeeping, web design and maintenance, invoicing, cranky clients, you name it.”

· “What on earth did I get myself into? There was no one to turn to…except me. You need a strong ego and a ton of experience to make this work. Not sure I’ll make it.”

· “I almost closed shop after 3 months. I hadn’t made a single sale. But I stuck with it. The biggest factor in my turnaround was creating and adhering to a strict work schedule. After that, things got better.”

If you opened your consulting practice primarily to be in charge as the boss, how is that working out for you? Do you have helpful advice for others who are just getting into consulting?

Is wanting to be your own boss a sufficient reason to open a consulting business? Why or why not?

I go into much more detail on becoming one’s own boss in “Solo Consulting: Insider Tips for Success!” which you can purchase here.

Notice: This blog wholly reflects the views and suggestions of Dr. Chris Downs. Readers’ use of his views or suggestions are wholly the responsibility of the reader as reflected by their actions, reactions thoughts, statements, and behaviors. Dr. Downs accepts no responsibility for readers’ use of his words. Further, this blog contains no intentional or structured therapeutic intent nor is the content designed to harm or improve the psychological state of the reader. Readers are responsible for their own reactions to and/or use of any and all suggestions or advice.