Secrets of Self-Employment: Surviving and Thriving on the Ups and Downs of Being Your Own Boss

by Sarah Edwards, Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards

Book Overview

The bestselling "Self-Employment Experts" present a book that will help you survive in today's career marketplace. Whether you're just starting out or already working for yourself, Secrets of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874778379
• ISBN13: 9780874778373
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Tarcherperigee
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Book Is Also Good for Job Hunters, People Down on Their Luck, and Other People in Bad Spots

I would like to take this opportunity to recommend the book not only for people who want to become self-employed, but also for job hunters and people who just plain feel that they are at the end of their rope. I'd like to express great gratitude to Sarah and Paul Edwards for a book that was like a shining beacon during a very dark period of my life. I still have my copy and re-read it every few years. I encountered this book soon after it was published in 1996. I was seriously ill, had been downsized from my job -- along with almost all of my co-workers -- and was starting a home-based business to support me. I was also looking for part-time work in my field, as I was bankrupt, and in debt. This book was instrumental in helping me set up a tiny home-based business that helped me survive, financially and psychologically, for several years until I was able to find a full-time job in my field again. The book is basically a psychological guide to working on your own -- while it has practical details on starting your own business, the largest portion of the book deals with positive ways to keep yourself focused, motivated, energized, and efficient on a day-to-day basis when you are working for yourself. Much of its advice can be useful to job hunters -- job hunting is actually like a job in which you are the employer, marketing yourself -- and for people who are depressed and/or in terrible life situations, the book is full of advice on maintaining an optimistic and realistic outlook in your planning and activities amd how to find creative solutions to situations that look hopeless. Among the most helpful sections of the book are how to keep motivated and keep moving when bad incidents or catastrophes occur. Sarah and Paul Edwards examine regular difficulties -- you created a product, but your client didn't pay for it -- to Xtreme problems: "Tricia Holderman actually tried unsuccessfully to pull out the cord on her life-support system when doctors told her they didn't know what more they could do for her." The Edwardses discuss how Ms. Holderman got through this situation, and eventually rebuilt her business. I am about to change careers, into two new careers -- one working for other people, and another one for after my "retirement", in which I will be working full-time for myself -- and this book is back on my desk! There are plenty of books out there about the practical aspects of setting up your own business -- including some by the Edwardses -- but this book will give you the psychological coaching and support you need, whether you are starting your own business, job hunting, or just trying to get through a very long, dark tunnel period of your life. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

wonerful book

I am working from home with my third business,its very sucessful by my standards, and I have its growth firmly under control.I picked up a copy of this at the library, wish I had read it two businesses ago. If you have a small business, or want to start one, please read this first, its the best small business book you can read. Its honest, no hype or promo work, I now have a copy and use it it to keep on track wit hsome of my details. Many of the lessons in the book I learned the hard way over the last ten years, by reading this you can avoid a lot of Pain!

Like A Beacon In the Dark

People who look to this book for a how-to manual on financing, marketing, incorporating, etc. will be disappointed. And that's OK, because it offers something much more precious - peace of mind. That's not to say there isn't general advice about some of these issues and even some real targeted suggestions to solve certain problems, but the focus is more on the mindset of being your own boss, at start-up and beyond. A step-by-step, "put Tab A in Slot B" book almost seems like putting the cart before the horse after reading this. If the mind isn't ready or is struggling, everything that comes after will be a struggle too despite the best instruction manual. I am in the process of opening my own business after being "downsized" for the last time. Some days have been up and some days have been down. Some days I thought I should throw in the towel and go live in a hut somewhere far, far away. This book has shown me that all of this is normal and has shown me how to use the up moments and push past the down ones to get what I want. It's amazing the way the authors almost seem to step inside your head. They are supportive, clear and offer real, usable advice to keep on track mentally, exult in your victories and deal with the difficulties as they arise. The format is conversational, friendly, uplifting and confidence-building.This book will be part of my "business bible" collection - those books I will refer to again and again as I grow my business.

This book made me money

My daughter bought this book for me and it made me tenfold over the price of the book within one week by using one of the tips. The Edwards' format is easy to read and they go through all the possible setbacks of self-employment and how to avoid them. I've been a freelance writer for two years, but anyone - whether starting to work on their own or in the business for 10 years - can learn from this book. It's well worth the price.

A MUST for anyone thinking about becoming self-employed!

Actually, this book is excellent for people who are not only thinking about becoming self-employed but who are already self-employed and want to understand better the mentality transition from being an employee to being a business owner. Paul and Sarah Edwards are engaging. They present the information sincerely, thoroughly and realistically without spoiling the dream. In fact, their own passion for self-employment and enthusiasm for helping others to be successful in their own business is evident throughout. I enjoyed this audio book because it addresses what books on the mechanics of operating a business leave out - that is the kind of mindset, the fears and ability to overcome them required to be a successful business owner. As a business owner, one tends to be isolated and does not have a boss to go to for advice and guidance. Paul and Sarah Edwards are an excellent coaching team. Rich with instructions, insights, examples and exercises for self-employed people to develop themselves as their own leaders, I found this book extremely valuable. I have listened to it several times already and with each listen, I glean more golden nuggets!