What do they say, a good thing is worth working for?? Well, as a solopreneur in my third reincarnation, I can say without hesitation that all the effort, the stress and the sheer insanity of working for myself, is absolutely worth it. Here’s some things I learned along the way, which helped me stay the course and achieve the job of my dreams.

Dream Big

The day I sat overlooking the setting sun reflecting it’s sparkling light on a favorite campground lake and honestly answered the question: ‘What do you want to do?” is the day my life changed for the better. I did not need to go to a motivational workshop, I did not ask a close friend or consider talking about it with my darling husband (yet) – I simply gave myself permission to choose a new path without boundaries. I wrote down – “I want to be in charge” first, and then other ideas flowed. I jotted down what I love to do and what those tasks could lead to profession-wise: write as a journalist was one goal; help business owners avoid missteps, was another; tell newbie’s and wannabes about smart guerilla marketing options… you get the picture.

Have a Parachute

I did NOT run out and quit my job after this “eureka” moment; I sketched out a realistic action plan, that evolved as things changed. I also discussed my new life plan with my husband, who instantly became one of my biggest supporters. Having backup and buy-in from those closest to you is key.

Take Action

Although voicing your dreams out loud is very empowering (I AM going to be a writer!!) just talking about it is not enough to make it happen. After getting home from that fateful camping trip, I picked up the phone and called a local weekly paper and asked about freelancing opportunities. Despite being an English major in college, I had no idea what was involved with being a good reporter. Luckily I found an editor willing to help me learn the ropes; someone who was willing to tell me when something was crap (and how to fix it), and when I nailed it.

Lessons learned: the only way to see if you have what it takes to achieve your particular version of nirvana (no matter what other people think you are capable of) – is to take risks, accept criticism, push yourself to learn more, and keep looking forward.

Deal with Disappointments

Perhaps the first path you choose is not the ultimate dream you envisioned it to be. When I opened my store in 1988 with my sister-in-law, we thought THAT was the end all. Turned out it wasn’t – but boy did we learn a heck of a lot from it! We learned how to “birth” a business in between becoming moms ourselves, how to juggle family and work time, how to interact with customers, how to write winning advertising copy, how to hire, train and work with staff, how to brand our company, how to creatively merchandise our varied inventory, etc.  When we had to close the store 7 years later I thought my life had ended; the thought of working for someone else was stifling. I slogged through several jobs for other firms – some good, some awful. Along the way I was amassing a bunch of new skills and discovering my sales, marketing, branding and strategic planning strengths could bring in major bucks.

Lessons learned: Though it stinks to be going through an uncomfortable work situation, try to focus on your primary objectives (which in my case had to do with being a great mom to my three kids while contributing to the kitty). That focus will help you navigate through your own disappointments, quell your fears and keep you on point.

Rely on Experts

Along my journey, I’ve learned the value of investing in my own success by working with a variety of experts, including: graphic designers, web masters, other copywriters and journalists, accountants, lawyers, printers, bookkeepers and admins. All these folks have helped me run my business professionally, so that I’m more organized, more polished and I stand out from my competitors.

Take Advantage…

What I learned more than anything, is that many people don’t get ahead because they don’t take advantage of opportunities staring them right in the face. Being agile has helped to propel my career and path forward in ways I could have never imagined. Because of looking for open doors instead of dwelling on closed ones, amazing things have happened and my path has taken on a whole new direction! I got on network television; I’m doing motivational keynotes in the States and abroad; I’m crafting and delivering fun and informative skill-based workshops on branding & new media, two areas I’m now specializing in; I’m writing in new online platforms and being invited to participate in thought leadership forums; I have a national sales and marketing advice column, and I’m working towards a regular business success television segment.

Take Time to Chill

I would have burnt out long ago if I did not take time to rest, refresh and be as far away from the frenetic pace I keep during the week. Family, friends, volunteer work and special interests can help keep you balanced and rejuvenate your creative juices, so relax and chill out on a regular basis!

So – if you know you have what it takes to achieve your dreams, stay the course with gusto! Hang with friends and associates who share your forward vision and celebrate your accomplishments. Reach out to mentors, ask questions, and never stop learning. Keep pushing the boundaries of your dreams, as you’ll never know what exciting new adventures lie in store for you unless you allow yourself to try.