Working for yourself can be the most rewarding and fulfilling experience you've ever imagined. It can also be the most frustrating and disappointing! Before you make the leap to working for yourself, here are a few questions to answer...

1. Do I have a passion for the work? When times get really rough, being able to say that you love what you do can go a very long way.
2. Do I have a vision for my future? Thomas Leonard once said that when you have a clear and compelling vision, you don't need motivation. Take the time to capture the vision you see for yourself. Click here to read another article about capturing your unique vision.
3. Do I know what I value? Your values are always operating at a fundamental level in your decision-making. When you don't feel you can honor your values, you might find yourself struggling to make anything work.
4. Do I know what motivates me to succeed? The best forms of motivation are positive such as expressing your values, playing to your strengths or honoring your vision. Negative motivators (fear of failure, avoiding consequences or getting a need met) can work for a while, but you'll ultimately pay a big price if you are fueling yourself with negative energy for too long.
5. Do I know what to do with the money I have? The old adage says that most businesses fail in the first five years because they are underfunded. That may be true, but it's also possible that they just don't know how to wisely spend the money they do have.
6. Do I have a reserve of time? Overwhelm is a typical companion for the new business owner. Try to clear your schedule to the bare minimum of commitments so that you can stay on top of what matters to you.
7. Do I have a support system? Behind every great entrepreneur is a team of people who believes in her and what she's trying to accomplish.
8. Do I know the basics of running a small business? Yes, you really, really, really, really do need to know the basics of finances and marketing. Look into the offerings at your local community college, the Small Business Administration and SCORE (service corps of retired executives.)
9. Am I running toward something or away from something? As was mentioned earlier, it's always best to be operating from a vision of what you'd like to create - not just escaping from something that isn't working.
10. How will I know I'm successful? It's not just about money (although money is important.) What else matters to you -- creative expression, making a difference, trying something new...