My own business - how many times have you wished that for yourself?

How many times have you heard friends and contacts express the desire?

How many do you know that have actually gone ahead and done it?

Some wish it, some talk about it, very few do it.

Despite this I'm encouraged because I sense there is now a great entrepreneurial spirit about which springs from the availability of computers and the internet.

These two tools, which is all they, are making it possible for those with imagination to create products and services which they offer to a huge and growing market using the internet. I come across more and more people who, when asked, "what they do?" respond "I have my own business".

These businesses are mostly linked to IT, software or are so called conventional businesses using the internet as part of their marketing strategy.

People with their own businesses are special because they have taken action to be able to fulfil the desire to 'have my own business'.

When I established my business it was the culmination of a life- long desire. I now look on all that went before, learning, acquiring skills and experience, 'climbing the corporate ladder', as preparation for when I decided to start consulting and launch my own business.

What are the characteristics that we possess which makes us go on to 'do our own thing'. Clearly this is a big question with many answers. I have tried to boil it down and suspect there are just 4 key characteristics.

1 A desire to be in charge of your own life.

We are people who like to be in control. Confident in our own abilities, full of energy and determination.

In my case I know I had difficulty playing the corporate game. I hated the politics, which just disappeared when I founded my own business. I was now making decisions about my life. Not some corporate grey suit.

2 A love of succeeding.

We love getting out there and making things happen, enjoy mixing with other people and thrive on learning and growing as people. We love the sense of achievement, even sometimes in small tasks well done.

3 Love helping people.

In helping ourselves we are keen to help others. The buzz gained from 'doing a good job' which leaves the client totally satisfied has to mean as much as any other reward.

You get this sense of achievement because you are close to your clients. You also get more freedom to just help others. People come to you for help and advice. What a great compliment!

4 Desire for a great lifestyle.

Working from home, setting your own programs and timetables while gaining real satisfaction from working in 'my own business'.

Spending more time with family and friends and not having to spend time climbing the 'corporate ladder' is simply great.

Walking from my office on a Friday afternoon is better than a forty odd mile drive in Friday traffic. Only possible because I have my own business.

I have written before about some of these satisfactions. If you are thinking about it, great work it out and when you know you can make a go of it, do it!

If you already have your own business, no matter how small you will already know the satisfaction that comes from 'having my own business'.

Tip The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.