Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a powerful motivator, but if you're not careful, it can lead you down a dangerous path. Whether it's having a drink with friends or taking on projects that you're not 100% sure are worth your time or that of the client, saying “yes” for the sake of FOMO is a foolish decision. As much as we try to push the boundaries and squeeze more hours out of the day, the reality is that there are only 24 hours in a day for everyone. At least 8 of them are already spoken for by your 9 to 5 job. Your consulting business will have to make do with what's left over.
Honesty is the best policy and this applies 100% when managing a job while running a consulting business. Your clients should have a clear understanding of what to expect in terms of their commitment, their daily workload and the hours when they are available to take calls and attend meetings. This is what will really set you apart from other freelancers in the market and will give you the best position when it comes time to give two weeks notice. You don't need to plan your consulting business in advance, but you can think about it while you're running errands or taking showers. This is a fully productive working hour that can be attributed to your consulting business and used to manage customer relationships, track project milestones, attend face-to-face meetings and review proposals from new clients. It's much easier to get a short-term consulting job than it is to get a full-time job, and consulting jobs often turn into full-time jobs. Hash is the founding attorney of SPZ Legal, a commercial law firm in Oakland, California, that provides general counsel services to entrepreneurs who want to use business as a force for good.
If you're committed and serious about growing your consulting business, this personalized training program is for you. Make sure that EVERYONE you know knows that you're doing some consulting work and you'll dramatically increase your chances of getting referral business. In this blog post, I delve into some of the ideas and tactics that helped me quit my job and launch a successful consulting business. It allows you to take massive action, and massive action is key to starting and growing your consulting business. I created several companies (Crate, a software company and Hustle & Grind, an e-commerce site) while building my consultancy to do work that I could only dream of a few years ago. So, whatever your fears are, don't let them stop you from taking the leap into owning a full-time consulting business.
When you're busy running your own business and also working for someone else, the last thing on your mind is posting daily tweets. And there's no other career that offers as much freedom, flexibility and impact as running your own consulting business and working for no one but your clients (not your employers). The most effective way to be successful in managing a consulting business while maintaining a 9 to 5 job is to plan it. I was the full-time human resources manager at my company, but the owner of a business down the street called my boss and asked him to recommend me as an HR consultant. Starting a consulting business while working full-time can be daunting but it doesn't have to be. With careful planning and dedication, it's possible to make it work.
The key is setting realistic expectations for yourself and your clients. Make sure everyone knows what they can expect from you in terms of availability and workload. Take advantage of any free time you have during the day or week to plan ahead for upcoming projects or tasks. And don't forget to leverage your network - let everyone know that you're doing some consulting work so they can refer potential clients. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to launching a successful consulting business while still working full-time.
