Self-Employment is a growing career option for many people. Approximately 6.6% of the work force makes their living in this category or over 8.5 million workers nationwide. As a trader, you join the ranks of the self-employed, which is a terrific way to control your own destiny and take full responsibility for all you do.



As you begin your self-employment, you will probably find it beneficial to talk with colleagues - other traders who went out on their own. Role models are extremely important if youre considering this step into business. The challenges they have faced in getting their business off the ground and the obstacles they have overcome will be great stories to hear. Copying the success of others and avoiding the mistakes you see them make is normal practice in business.

Joseph Anthony, author of Working for Yourself recommends that those considering self-employment have a variety of skills, motivators, and attributes, for example:

Having Self-confidence

Sense of timing or business intuition

Viewing security as a state of mind

Willingness to invest in your savings

Competitiveness

Comfort with not receiving a regular check

No self-employed person will ever tell you it is easy. Sure, you can often work in your jeans and t-shirt, but most self-employed traders work well beyond the traditional 8-hour day. It requires a number of skills that those who work in a regular office do not need, including a strong sense of self-discipline and developing a new self-reliant mindset. As your own boss, you need to manage yourself, become self-motivated, perform well under pressure, and deal with setbacks.

The freedom that trading allows is highly motivating. While it may be stressful to some, seasoned traders relish their freedom. Every trader is on his or her own path. This individual journey can be a challenge, but for most seasoned traders, freedom is power.