As unemployment continues to rise and more people struggle to find work, it may be a great time to get creative and start thinking out-of-the-box. Many of our readers, such as Krollins, have been asking for prayers of support due to unemployment:

“This is not only for my family who is suffering long-term unemployment,
but all the others in the country right now, afraid for their
families.  In April, my husband was let go from his job along with 150
other co-workers. My husband has been working hard at finding new
employment, but to no avail. Please pray for a quick end to our
instability and for the instabilities of everyone else who was let go. ”
~ Krollins (read more…)

As a Money Coach, I’ve found that people often overlook the possibility of creating their own job. Is self-employment a possible option for you? It may be easier than you think. People often fail to consider starting their own business because they believe they can’t afford to,
or are uncertain about how to begin. Others may simply be fearful of the insecurity of being self-employed. However, at a time like this, when jobs are scarce, why not consider creating your own job? It might just be the perfect timing!

Here’s a few Money Coaching ideas to inspire you to think about the possibility of whether self-employment could be right for you. Even if it’s just an experiment during a period of unemployment…what do you have to lose? You might be surprised by what’s possible!

1. Make a list of all the things you like to do and that you do well, including your hobbies.

Example:
Love to cook.
Good with children.
Great gardener.
Good at fixing things.
Well organized.
Bargain shopper.
Good writer.

2. Next to each item on this list, write down the a business idea.
Love to cook – catering business, sell baked goods, personal chef
Good with children – home daycare business, tutor, mother’s helper
Great gardener – landscape or home gardening business, flower cart business 
Good at fixing things – handyman (or handylady!) business
Well organized – personal organizing business, personal assistant for hire
Bargain shopper – personal shopper, executive shopper, secret shopper
Good writer – free-lance blogger, product review writer 

3. From the list you’ve created, circle three ideas that you think you’d enjoy doing.
Most of the businesses above require little or no capital to begin. For example, to become
a personal chef, all you need is a business card and a local business license because you usually just show up and cook in other people’s homes. And there are lots of busy people who can’t cook out there…like me for instance!
 
4. Once you’ve picked out a couple of ideas, begin to explore what it would take to make it happen. Contact your local SCORE office for assistance. Score offers free small business mentoring and advice to anyone. They also offer free online workshops to help people get started.

5. It’s important to do the research before you begin your own business and to get help and advice along the way. You don’t need to do it alone and you don’t have to recreate the wheel.
There are lots of great books and resources to assist you in your efforts to find and create your own work.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
 ~Victor Frankel

Peace and Blessings!