Motivation and the Moonlighting Entrepreneur

By Sharon • October 8th, 2009

I love a clean home but I don’t always like all the tasks involved in making it clean. To motivate myself I set certain goals that serve as incentives for me to finish these chores. For example I might plan to go out to dinner some place special if I finish chores by a certain hour. That’s my carrot. The same logic applies to many moonlighting entrepreneurs .

Moonlighting entrepreneurs are all around us. From the file clerk to the VP in the corner office – the opportunity provided by the Internet and a shaky economy have combined to make the pursuit of entrepreneurship almost common place.

The goal of running a business for yourself and for your family’s future is that “carrot,” that incentive that makes having and succeeding at fulfilling the responsibilities of a job satisfying.

Lifestyle consultant Donna Maria Coles Johnson explained in a 2006 New York Times Story that “many entrepreneurs keep their day jobs for security.”

That was 3 years ago. I bet the reasons are vastly different today. The 2009 recession jolted a lot of people into thinking about security in different ways. Even though the day job may be secure today, there’s no guarantee it will be there next month or next week.

Innovative people plan ahead and if they have the skills, the energy and the motivation they are taking baby steps to building a business in the evenings and on the weekends.

With all the information that’s available to teach people how to transition successfully to entrepreneurship, more and more savvy people are learning how to balance the task of achieving success at their jobs while using that experienced and enhanced skill set to prepare for and build a business for future full-time fulfillment and…security.

One of the world’s leading full-time bloggers, Darren Rowse (Problogger) blogged as a hobby before eventually leaving his job to dedicate full-time hours to his blog business. Today he earns a 6-figure income.

Human resource consultants, head hunters and labor experts are encouraging working people today to examine their skills and experience not just as items for a resume but as assets for a business. If your employment should cease for any reason you just might want to market your service and skills as an independent contractor or small business owner in some related field.

Planning for your next career as an entrepreneur is an empowering mindset to have. Instead of working in fear of becoming unemployed at some point, it makes sense to work in confidence as a capable and highly skilled and contributing member of your company. Each task or project you manage helps to enhance your knowledge, experience and skills and that’s directly transferable to your future business.

The best time to plan for a business that will take you through retirement is not while you’re stressed and worried about paying the next bill, but rather when you’re in a relatively secure position and able to make decisions rooted in facts not desperation.

This attitude and mindset can do wonders for your temperament and attitude. You’ll actually be thinking like an entrepreneur while you’re at work and that’s actually good for everybody – including your employer.

If you’ve ever attended a conference or seminar for entrepreneurs you’ll know that there’s a different kind of vibe in that community. When people are truly following their vision and realizing goals they set and control, it can be intoxicating.

I’m sure that upbeat attitude doesn’t mean everyone is rolling in profit. Rather I think it is just a reflection of how some people feel when they are following their own path and taking control of their financial future.

If you’re on my list, you’ll soon be receiving some information about educational resources and mentorship groups that can help you transition successfully from full-time work to full-time entrepreneurship.

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To your success,

Sharon

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