Working alone: The realities of being self employed

In this section, fellow soloists share what they love and hate about being self employed, as well as providing tips and tricks on how to get the most out of working alone.

From balancing work freedom and discipline and coping with the loneliness of working alone to survival tips for working from home and the benefits of having an unofficial business support team, you’ll find a range of insightful articles about the pros and cons of self employment.

Want to keep up to date with all our new articles on working alone and the realities of being self employed? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, sent to over 14,000 loyal readers each Tuesday, and receive four valuable bonus reports to download instantly.

(Never sold, displayed or given away)

Working alone articles

• Solo Psyche

  Ever pondered pulling the pin?

  There were many days when I was a full time solo business owner that I thought I would pull the pin, throw in the towel, get a proper job and really do something with my life.

  • Published 06 June 08
  • Karen Morath
  • 10 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Are soloists just corporate misfits?

  Since trading in being a full time soloist to become an institutional employee, I have been reflecting on why I decided to fly solo in the first place and wondering whether soloists are just corporate misfits.

  • Published 09 May 08
  • Karen Morath
  • 18 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  The soloist’s business support team

  How many of us would achieve what we do without our partners, friends, peers, family and pets who make up our unofficial business support team? It's time these silent partners got due thanks for the part they play in making our businesses a success.

  • Published 29 February 08
  • Trish Weston
  • 5 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  The best things about being my own boss

  I bounced out of bed this morning. No alarm clock, no “just five more minutes”. It was my first day of freedom after spending eight months working for someone else and I am once again able to appreciate the great things about being my own boss.

  • Published 10 September 07
  • Trish Weston
  • 15 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Small business versus solo business

  Recently I went from solo business to small business and back again to solo life. It's been an interesting experience and one that's reacquainted me with my inner solopreneur – thank goodness!

  • Published 25 May 07
  • Jess Tyler
  • 5 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Celebrating Christmas solo

  Soon I will be celebrating my first Christmas as a solo business owner. Celebrations are an important part of life, but are there ways of enjoying the festive season if there's only you in the office? Absolutely!

  • Published 08 December 06
  • Linda Anderson
  • 6 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  The Solopreneurs' DNA

  Spouses, families and friends of the solopreneur and even budding solopreneurs themselves often wonder, what are the qualities that ensure success when going it alone?

  • Published 08 September 06
  • Paul J. Morris
  • 1 Comment

• Solo Psyche

  Being a sole trader can be fun!

  Are you one of the sole traders who responded to the recent poll by saying that your own business is a fun free zone? If you're not loving being a sole trader, try asking yourself these questions.

  • Published 12 April 06
  • Grant Hyman
  • 7 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Survival tips for working from home

  No-one is more in need of survival tips than those working from home. When the time comes for you to start out on your own, you feel excited and frightened at the same time. You're inspired, though, by other self employed people. They've taken the plunge

  • Published 15 March 06
  • Barb Clews
  • 8 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  The realities of being self employed

  If you are enticed by the idea of being self employed, you need to be realistic about what it entails. If you’re just starting out, or you’re wondering why on earth you thought this was a good idea, read on.

  • Published 20 December 05
  • Karen Morris
  • 5 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Six rules to help you love your work

  In many ways, 'Six rules to help you love your work' is a terrible title for this article as many soloists - including me – come out in a rash when they see the word ‘rules’.

  • Published 18 October 05
  • Karen Morath
  • 3 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Working alone and coping with loneliness

  Loneliness is usually one of the least talked about elements of working alone. Here are some strategies for handling this common phenomenon.

  • Published 01 August 05
  • Barb Clews
  • 2 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Working for yourself: Balancing freedom and discipline

  A strong sense of freedom is undoubtedly one of the key appeals of working for yourself, and discipline helps us keep it all together.

  • Published 29 July 05
  • John Raymond
  • 2 Comments

• Solo Psyche

  Are you really a business entrepreneur?

  Is bigger really better? More and more soloists are challenging the traditional definition of a business entrepreneur and appreciating the benefits of keeping things small and doing it their way.

  • Published 07 July 05
  • Karen Morath
  • 1 Comment