I'd Rather Be Dusting:

Self Employed Accountability

So, when no one holds you accountable are you the kind of person who holds yourself accountable?  That’s a tough question if you think about it.  We all want to believe that we hold ourselves accountable for the work that needs to get done in our business.  

When a small business owner has no one there they have to answer to, they have to make sure they are taking care of their business.  It’s very easy to do the things we want to do instead of the things we need to do.  

Take for instance your chores you have to do at home.  How many of us really want to scrub the bathtub or the toilet?  Do you put those things off and do the easier things like dusting or folding laundry? It’s the same thing in small business.  You have many things you don’t like to do; maybe it’s organizing the week’s receipts or disciplining an employee.  The point is if no one holds you to it you can easily put those things off.

If you are considering going in to business for yourself, you need to honestly evaluate your ability to stay on task and get things done, even the hard or unpleasant things.  You could have a discussion with your spouse or significant other, or someone you trust in your business life.  Ask them if they consider you a person who stays on task and does even the unpleasant chores that need to be accomplished.

If you find that you are not someone who can stay on task, there is an alternative.  Hire an administrative person who will hold you accountable.  

When looking for this kind of person, you are looking for a strong personality type that isn’t afraid to call you on your actions or inaction as the case may be.  Find someone strong enough to help you do the things that need to get done in your business.  Otherwise, you may be the kind of person who needs a boss and isn’t cut out to be a business owner.   

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Suzanne Cormier
Executive Director
BizWorks (Small Business Incubator)
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