| How many employees does it take to screw in a | | | | One person who has really recognized the need |
| light bulb in a small business? | | | | for self-employed people to get help for their |
| None. | | | | burnout is bestselling author Tim Ferriss. One of |
| The owner does it! | | | | the "homework assignments" that he gives small |
| OK, that's not strictly true for all small businesses, | | | | business owners is to practice outsourcing tasks. |
| but if you look at the businesses that a lot of | | | | That is, he strongly recommends that you hire a |
| people call a "small business," what you actually | | | | virtual assistant and delegate a certain percentage |
| see is someone who is self-employed rather than | | | | of your work to this assistant. Virtual assistants |
| a small business owner. | | | | usually don't live in the same town as you, and |
| Self-Employment versus Small Business | | | | often work in a completely different country. |
| Ownership | | | | Making use of a virtual assistant, who works for |
| From the outside, the self-employed person and | | | | say $15-$20 per hour, frees you up for more |
| the small business owner both look the same. | | | | important tasks, like strategizing business growth |
| They both own their businesses and they both | | | | or developing marketing tactics. Getting help in the |
| sell something. In the startup phase, both will | | | | form of a virtual assistant also helps you avoid |
| probably work long hours, and start to look a little | | | | burnout. You learn to do only the tasks that only |
| worn-out. | | | | can do. |
| That's where the similarities end, and the | | | | If you feel uncomfortable hiring someone to help |
| differences start to show up. Business guru | | | | you out, consider this: as a self-employed person, |
| Robert Kiyosaki defines the difference like this: | | | | how much are you really earning per hour? Take |
| - The self-employed business owner wants to be | | | | the salary you pay yourself monthly and divide |
| the best in his or her field. | | | | that by the number of hours you actually work |
| - The small business wants to work with the best | | | | each month. Be sure to include all the time you |
| in his or her field. | | | | spend on lowly tasks like filing, restocking, |
| In other words, the values are different. The | | | | documentation, and responding to routine inquiries. |
| self-employed person wants to BE the best, so | | | | All of that goes on top of the time you spend |
| they spend all their time doing everything for their | | | | actually practicing in your area of expertise, like |
| business so that they can be the best. The small | | | | accounting, marketing, or consulting. |
| business owners doesn't want to do everything | | | | When you honestly add up all the hours you |
| themselves. They want to develop a business | | | | work, and then divide that amount into your |
| that generates income and eventually runs itself. | | | | salary, chances are that you are not getting paid |
| So instead of trying to be the best, they hire the | | | | very much. You might actually make more |
| best people. Why? So that they can eventually | | | | money flipping burgers at your local burger joint. |
| stop working in the business and have it still | | | | True, you would have to wear a really dorky |
| produce a passive stream of income. | | | | uniform and work with junk food all day, but your |
| Self-Employment Burnout | | | | paycheck might be bigger. |
| One way you can distinguish a self-employed | | | | Hmm, gives you food for thought, doesn't it? If |
| person from a small business owner is that the | | | | you're headed for a self-employment burnout, |
| self-employed person will experience burnout. | | | | now might be the time to check out Tim Ferriss' |
| Why? Because they have been doing everything | | | | book and find yourself a virtual assistant. Check |
| for their business, day in and day out, for years. | | | | out Elance and other similar services where these |
| The small business owner long ago hired a | | | | assistants abound. Most of all, learn to enjoy |
| competent staff and moved onto a different | | | | letting go! |
| business (or went on vacation). | | | | |