The path to self-employment is exciting, full of challenges and also fun - at least sometimes 😄. Since I took this step, I have been in a constant learning process. There are days when everything flows and days when I ask myself why I am even doing this and whether I shouldn't just write applications again. But it is precisely this mixture that makes the journey so special. Today I am sharing my experiences of the last two weeks with you - from bureaucratic hurdles and setbacks to the small and large learnings that accompany me on my way.
And I can tell you one thing in advance: As much happens in two weeks as you would in a job over months. Not that nothing happens there, but not everything is directly connected to you, which makes it more intense.
At the same time, you also have the feeling that you can slow down at any time – or is that just a fallacy? Another question that I can look into. But back to the topic.
The current biggest challenges
Being self-employed means not only freedom, but also responsibility - "Nona", as they say in Vienna. That means something like: "Anyway." At the moment, my focus is on creating the bureaucratic foundations so that all projects can be started properly. That sounds banal, but it is an incredible time-waster. From applying for a business license to choosing the right accounting software: every task raises new questions. Which forms do I need? Who is the right person to contact? And how do I make sure that I don't forget anything? Accounting - can't I hand it in? What do I really need? What is an open item list, does it have anything to do with HR? Questions upon questions!⁉️
It is often these small details that cause the most effort. An example: the business license. Actually a clearly defined process (I thought), but then unplanned hurdles suddenly arise. For example, I needed an additional certificate before I could register the business. Luckily, I met the right person at the authority who took care of everything straight away - phew, let's move on! It's a constant rollercoaster of emotions. In a twisted way, there's something beautiful about it: you build something, like with Lego, only this time not for someone else, but for yourself. A great feeling! Such tasks require patience and organizational talent. Even if I sometimes get frustrated because things don't go as quickly as I would like, I know that every step is an important building block for my foundation.
Concrete hurdles and unexpected problems
One of the most exciting projects I'm working on is "Wood in front of the hut". The idea arose from my own needs: I was looking for regional firewood and realized how confusing this market is. The vision was clear - a platform that connects customers with regional suppliers. No sooner said than done. In the last few weeks I have put a lot of effort and money into the platform and worked with programmers in India (an incredibly good experience). But shortly before the launch I noticed that the marketplace software I had chosen had a serious limitation: it only offered one payment method - credit card.
That was a huge setback. In a world where PayPal, Klarna and other payment methods are standard, I couldn't imagine starting the project like that. I wanted to start with an MVP (minimal viable product) but only accepting credit cards as a payment method would put off many customers. What followed were sleepless nights and an inner conflict: continue or give up? Finally, I decided to start over - this time with WordPress, a more flexible platform. This change was not only technically challenging but also forced me to deal with the subject matter in depth. But that also means watching hours of YouTube tutorials to understand and learn everything. It's a chance to learn new things, but right now I would have preferred a different time to do it.
Dealing with setbacks
Setbacks are inevitable. But I've learned to see them as opportunities rather than obstacles. Switching to WordPress has shown me how important it is to remain flexible and not to be discouraged by problems. Every setback is an opportunity to do things differently and maybe even better.
Setbacks are like mistakes: a great opportunity to learn. Maybe I'll find that I can implement what I want much better and easier with WordPress. One thing I already know: it forced me to make a decision and to deal with the topic. My decision-making skills were definitely trained 💪.
setting priorities and time management
Juggling multiple projects at the same time is an art in itself. In addition to "putting wood in the house", I am working on my property management and preparing to launch my coaching and consulting business. Each of these projects has different requirements and timelines, which makes it not always easy to keep track of everything.
At the moment, I'm prioritizing property management because I'm also doing further training for that. At the same time, I'm learning WordPress to get my head around it. It's a balancing act where I weigh up which project needs the most attention at the moment. What helps me: I set myself one main goal per day. For example, if I say, "Today I'm going to get the property management website 50% finished," then that's my focus. As soon as I reach that goal, the day already feels successful. This one goal per day is hugely important because it gives you the feeling of making progress.
Learnings along the way
The most important step is to start. When I published my first blog post, the response was zero. But with each post, I learned something new - about my target audience, about the topics that interest them, and about myself. The same goes for LinkedIn: creating a profile and putting it online is just the beginning. It's about being regularly active and staying visible.
What I have learned is that success doesn't happen overnight. It's a slow process that requires patience and perseverance. But every little bit of progress - be it a comment on the blog or a new connection on LinkedIn - is a step in the right direction. And that's exactly what motivates me to keep going.
Final Thoughts
Setbacks are just as much a part of it as small successes. But it is precisely this mixture that makes the path so special. For me it is clear: giving up is not an option. Every step, no matter how small, brings me closer to my goal - and that is what counts.
Merry Christmas to you all and a great start to the new year! I'm looking forward to 2025, because my management consultancy officially starts on January 1st. Happy Holidays!
Best regards,
Uwe
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