5 Reasons to Take the Path Less Traveled When it Comes to your Career

At LNE Consulting we know that choosing a career can be tricky. Doesn’t it feel like everyone in your life wants to offer his or her two-cents on what you should do? You probably receive even more advice about what you should not do, right?

Many people are afraid to take the path less traveled when it comes to a career. For some reason, the typical 9 to 5 cubicle job seems more “stable” and more comfortable in the mind of the average American. Yet, depending on your perspective, pursuing an entrepreneurial career actually offers far greater rewards than does the typical path.

At LNE Consulting we are big believers in the idea of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Why? Because doing so undoubtedly offers the most chances for growth.

There are so many reasons to take the path less traveled — and typically, financial gain and career advancement are at the top of the list. With the obvious reasons aside for a moment, we’d like to take the time to focus on the more intangible benefits of a career as an independent businessperson. In this post we will discuss 5 ways that taking the path less traveled will produce tremendous personal and professional development. Here goes!

1. You’ll become a pro at decision-making.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or any type of independent professional, you’ll be in the driver’s seat of your career. When you’re the one in charge, you will inevitably be making choices on a daily basis. Whether small decisions or large ones, calling the shots is a skill that — believe it or not — can be perfected over time. The more freedom you have to sink or swim, the better judgment you will develop. This is a highly transferable skill that will translate well to both your career and your personal life.

2. You’ll quickly discover your strengths and weaknesses.
Becoming an entrepreneur is like holding a magnifying glass over your strengths and your weaknesses. As strange as it might sound, this is an opportunity that the average “employee” never has. When you’re running your own show, you discover very quickly that there are certain talents, abilities, and habits that set you apart from the competition. It’s incredibly useful to recognize your strengths so that you can fully capitalize on them, and then make them even stronger! At the same time, you’ll discover gaps in your repertoire that require work. There are two things that are great about this. Firstly, you’ll find new areas to learn and grow. Secondly, you’ll learn what types of tasks are best delegated to others. Either way, you win.

3. You’ll grow stronger as a person.
At LNE Consulting, we’re the first to recognize that entrepreneurship and business management are not easy. The path to success is riddled with challenges. But guess what? There is no better way to become a stronger professional than to learn how to conquer these very challenges! One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to develop thick skin. Doing so will improve the overall quality of your life and career.

4. You’ll master the art of smart risk-taking.
There’s a whole lot of truth to the maxim, “no risk, no reward.” Many of the best things in life can only be achieved by taking a certain amount of risk. By taking the path less traveled in your career, you will very quickly learn the difference between a stupid risk and a calculated risk.

5. You’ll be happier. (Autonomy leads to happiness!)
Any Psych majors out there? If you’ve ever studied Depression, you know that it’s commonly associated with the feeling of a lack of autonomy. When people feel that they lack control in their lives, it can be stressful and upsetting. One of the best parts of being an independent businessperson is having the ability to call your own shots and create your own destiny. Nothing is more empowering!