This post contains excerpts from a speech Randel gave to the New York/Connecticut Entrepreneurs Organization in Greenwich, Connecticut on December 1st.
1. Stress: it may seem counterintuitive, but entrepreneurs - often living under significant time and financial pressures - are less stressed than those in big organizations who have little control over day-to-day activities.
2. Satisfaction: a recent survey of 1,000 workers showed that those with a direct connection between input and output, specifically owners of their own businesses, were decidedly happier in their work.
3. Control: the only jerk an entrepreneur has to answer to is staring back from the mirror.
4. Release: when entrepreneurs really need a break, they just take one.
5. Biorhythms: one of the great things about being an entrepreneur is that you can sculpt your day - mesh your biorhythms with your work schedule. There is no such thing as the standard business day. Need a nap at 12 noon. OK.
6. Frustration: entrepreneurs live with less frustration than do most corporate employees in the third meeting of the day discussing the same subject.
7. Time: there are no rules for advancement. The only measure is performance. If you can outperform your competition, you immediately jump to the head of the class.
8. Risk: there is nothing like being an entrepreneur to keep your blood flowing.
9. Weight: obesity not a problem - no time to eat.
10. Necessity: entrepreneurs have to live longer to pay off the debt they incurred.
Jim Randel is the founder of The Skinny On book series - updated hieroglyphics conveying substantive information. His first book, The Skinny on the Housing Crisis, was picked as Book of the Year by NAREE, a group of 600 journalists. His newest book, The Skinny on Entrepreneurs will be released in January. For other Skinny books, see www.theskinnyon.com.