7 Ways To Tell If It's Time To Fire Your Boss!

by Karen Dodd

I remember once asking a happily married friend, how I would know when "he's the one?" She took my hand, looked me straight in the eyes and gently said, "Trust me Karen, you'll just know."

It might be with similar fear and trepidation, that you approach the question of whether or not to leave your job, in order to start your own business. It can become an even more difficult decision, given the current economy.

I believe strongly in starting your business part-time, while you still have the security of a steady paycheck and benefits. However, there are some unmistakable signs when it may be best for you to move out of working for someone else, in order to focus on your dream of having your own business.

1. When Sunday night or Monday morning has your stomach in knots. If you are one of those people I see rushing in and out of offices, who seem downright miserable, consider that a definite "clue." If the mere smell of your office tower makes you nauseous -- or the elevator seems to close in on you, as you ascend to your floor, you need to move on. No amount of money or "security" is worth that. Starting your own business allows you to work where you want and with whom you want. Once you are firmly established, it will even allow you to work when you want.

2. You've become the "rainmaker" for your company or division. Consistent referrals probably have more to do with you personally, than with your company. Knowing you are highly referable and sought after can be a great time to start your own business. Similarly, when clients try to hire you away from your company, this would be the optimum time to move out and hang up your own shingle.

3. You have become your job. It's hard to remember where your workday ends and your personal life begins. Early mornings, late night and weekends are starting to take their toll -- and you resent it. Even though you may be working very long hours in your own business when you start out, the time you get to spend on it whizzes by, and you'll find limitless energy because you are doing it for YOU. Later, the fact that you are your own boss will provide you with much more flexibility, both financially and time-wise.

4. You are the type of person who others want to follow and you attract people who want to support and help you. Having clients who would be willing to follow you, or people willing to mentor and help you, are incredibly valuable resources. Be mindful of attracting those types of people into your life and build your network as large as possible before you jump into entrepreneurship.

5. You know in your heart you are only biding time. If you don't see yourself staying to collect your pension and gold watch, you might as well make the move to self-employment sooner rather than later. Don't run the risk of losing your spark and having regrets later. If you've taken financial measures to plan for your corporate exit, that's great. That means you're taking a calculated risk rather than acting impulsively. However, there will never be that perfect time or exact amount of money in your savings account. Sometimes you just need to do it!

6. You're feeling inauthentic and are holding back from contributing ideas because you'd like to use them yourself. Whether you are simply not passionate about your company's cause or you are being asked to do things that don't match with your principles, the stress of not doing what you love and feel good about, will eventually take its toll on your emotional, physical and spiritual health. If on the other hand, you stay awake thinking of fabulous ideas but are not contributing them in your workplace, its a sure sign you should start a business you are passionate about and that is aligned with your values.

7. You keep seeing new products come on the market and you say, "Dang, I should have done that!" Think the Spanx hosiery and line of undies. How many times did you cut off one leg of your pantyhose and wear two tops when you were young?! Seriously, you clearly have a creative mind, you're observant and you're responsive to the marketplace. By recognizing a need and how to fill it, you have an excellent likelihood of being successful in your own venture.

If even a few of these keys resonate with you, you need to seriously explore when would be the right time to burn your corporate bridge, fire your boss -- and cross the river to become the successful business owner that you know you can be.

Need some help to figure out how to really focus in on implementing these tips? Then be sure to go to my website to get more information about my Inside Every Woman There's a Millionaire® Programs. Click here to find out about events, tools and resources.

[Editor's note: Karen is available to work with you one-on-one, to help you identify your niche and implement a step-by-step strategy to build your business and attract your ideal clients. Please email her at Karen@KarenDodd.com for more information.]


©2009 Karen Dodd Group of Companies

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