Entrepreneur or Employee — You Decide | The JOYFull BadAss

Ok, let’s get real. We all know that the way our society approaches work is toxic AF. That shit was already bad, but the pandemic only made it worse! But it also helped us realize that working like there’s no tomorrow is not suitable for our mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional health. In fact, the chronic stress you experience from overworking can lead to serious health issues, including BURNOUT!

This might explain why an insane 5.4 million people started their businesses in 2021 — a 23% increase from 2020 and almost doubled from what we saw in 2019. In 2022, that number was down by 7%, but 3.8 million people started new businesses.

WHO is starting these businesses? A lot of them are former employees who got sick and tired of the following bullshit at work:

• Lack of control.

• Overworked productivity.

• Imposter Syndrome.

• Being stuck with the same routine for years on end.

• Unclear job expectations.

• Dysfunctional workplace dynamics.

• Extremes of activity.

• Lack of social support.

• Work-life imbalance.

I know you thought, “There MUST be a better way! Hey, why not give this entrepreneurship thing a shot?” I mean, that’s what 32.5 million people have done, including me! Now, how many of that 32.5 mil are feeling the BURN?

Here’s the thing, whether you stepped out as a Solopreneur, added a Side Hustle so you can eventually leave your job, or developed a small team, being a business owner is fucking hard. It’s often more complicated than working for someone else.

WHY?

All too often, entrepreneurs bring their toxic workplace habits and expectations with them, which can lead to entrepreneur burnout much faster than expected. I was unprepared for how much MORE work would be as an entrepreneur.

As a result, I maintained the same shitty behaviors I had while teaching 4th grade full-time.

• Rarely taking a day off.

• Signing up for every course, program, or guru but completing nothing.