Today’s guest post is written by JK Allen.
I’m an entrepreneur. My business is “me” and my client is my employer.
As entrepreneurs, we are often challenged with less-than-ideal situations and we find ways to turn them into opportunities or learning experiences. Over the last year or two, my heart has been consumed with the idea of being self-employed again which has led me to despise my job.
As you can see, this is less than ideal. But I’ve turned it into a learning experience.
Many of my online friends who I find to be powerful business people have shown a great amount of appreciation for how I manage my career like a business. No one has been more vocal about this than John Falchetto. But I’ve also gained support from class acts such as Marcus Sheridan and Danny Brown.
Thanks to them, I’m changing my attitude. An entrepreneur at heart can still fulfill their hunger right in middle of having a corporate job (or any less than ideal situation) if one is willing to become an intrapreneur, or someone who uses their entrepreneurial spirit inside a company.
My new-found appreciation for my job has led me to identify many positive benefits that are helping me prepare for the move to running my own business.
Three Ways to Become An Intrapreneur
- The training ground. I’ve been with some organizations that “play” business more than “do” business, however, working in the corporate structure has been a fabulous school. My job has served as my lab where I test ways to improve my skill set and improve my business acumen. Not only do I learn, but I can also apply and test theories with very little risk. Imagine that, I’m my own case study. And to top it off, I’ve been paid to receive tens of thousands of dollars worth of business training over the years!
- The great reality check. Chances are, if you can’t perform at a high-level in a structured, corporate environment, then there is a significant chance you won’t have the discipline to perform in a highly unstructured, self-employed one. I’ve learned that I have the chops to do so, which has boosted my confidence in my abilities, but equally importantly; it has made me aware of my weaknesses.
- The network. One of the greatest benefits of working in the corporate world (depending on your level/position) is having access to high-profile contacts. I work with enterprise accounts where some of my contacts sit at an executive level. It’s a wonderful place to learn from great minds, and to market myself.
So there you have it! How in the world could I not feel extremely fortunate to have such a setup? Sure, it’s not the ideal entrepreneurial journey…but I’m making the best of it!
I’d love to hear about your transition from corporate to self-employed. Or, if you juggle both, how it works for you?
Jk Allen is the mind behind The Hustler’s Notebook where he writes about personal development for business and life from the angle of a hustler (in the most positive way).