Chapter 1: Understanding Self-Leadership

The concept of "being your own boss" often sounds thrilling and appealing, and many of us aspire to it. There's an undeniable excitement in receiving my monthly Entrepreneur magazine, where I dive into stories of successful entrepreneurs, their insights, challenges, and triumphs. However, a crucial aspect of entrepreneurship is frequently overlooked by these inspiring figures.

While many entrepreneurs highlight the perks—like creating your own schedule, setting your wages, and avoiding micromanagement—there's a vital element that isn't emphasized enough.

Photo by Arlington Research on Unsplash

Reflect for a moment. If you've ever had a job under a supervisor, you likely remember the expectations placed upon you: 1. Adhering to a set schedule 2. Punctuality 3. Completing assigned tasks

In that scenario, you followed your boss's authority and executed their directives to earn your paycheck. Here’s the crux: to truly be your own boss, you must take on the responsibility of managing yourself. This means being completely accountable to yourself and fulfilling your own directives.

Just as your former supervisors held you accountable, you must do the same for yourself. This involves giving yourself orders and setting tasks to be accomplished, just like any other manager would. Establish deadlines and check in on your progress regularly, just as a boss would.

Ultimately, to thrive as your own boss, you must embrace two distinct roles. You need to craft strategies, see the overall vision, and make difficult decisions as the leader. Simultaneously, you must also act as your own employee, diligently executing the day-to-day tasks you've assigned.

It's perfectly fine to motivate yourself to achieve your goals and dreams. If you're eager to start mastering what it means to be your own boss, consider these strategies:

• Develop a daily agenda and stick to it
• Conduct self-assessments to monitor your progress
• Schedule self-reviews to address areas needing improvement

While there's a wealth of knowledge to gather about self-management, much of it will unfold as you navigate your entrepreneurial journey. The key takeaway is clear: to be your own boss, you must embody the principles of self-leadership!