In this article we discuss taking the leap into franchise ownership. Many Americans are unhappy with their careers and stay in jobs that don’t fulfill them because they are not sure how to pursue a new career or start a business.
I recently saw a study that said 79% of Americans were either unhappy or apathetic about their current career. That is simply a shocking and sad figure. To think we spend 40+ hours a week doing something we don’t really like or possibly truly dislike. Consider the next time you go out to lunch with your 4 co-workers that of the 5 of you, 4 really don’t like their career and are sitting there eating their tuna fish sandwich dreaming of the life that could have been. And as you expand your glare to the rest of the lunchroom or restaurant imagine that 8 out of every 10 people in your gaze are counting each minute until they are off work and dreading the sound of the alarm the next morning.
But it doesn’t have to be this way – if you don’t like your situation – change it! It’s the holiday season and while you are making your list of gifts for your friends and family scribble down one more gift for you. Simply jot down your name and next to it write the gift of “new career.” Humans are certainly creatures of habit, so sticking in a position you are not happy with is not that surprising for some amount of time. And certainly we all have obligations, so we can’t just irresponsibly just up and quit our jobs. But with some planning and drive you can make a change and by next year’s holiday season you may have the best gift – a happy enjoyable life filled with a career you actually enjoy.
Consider sitting down and reflecting on what you don’t care for in your current job. Take some time to be honest with yourself about what skills you bring to the table. Cross reference that with the funds available to you, your interests, and industries you have always found intriguing, and you will be on your way to determining what franchise opportunity might be the fit for you. As a franchise consultant, I often help lead prospects to a brand that fits their lifestyle and budget. You would be amazed how differently you will feel when you are going to a business you own that matches your interests and skill set.
I am often told by franchisees how fulfilled they are and how different the other components of their life are now that they have gone forward with a franchise business and the pride they feel as they see their franchise succeeding.
When you get to the bottom of your holiday gift list don’t forget yourself. Take your criteria, log onto your PC and start gathering information on franchise businesses. If you don’t know where to start consider a website like www.franchisegator.com that will allow you to take your criteria, and enter it into their filters, so you are led to franchise opportunities that are best matched to you.
Happy Holidays and good luck on your search – by this time next year you could be one of the 20%!
By: MJ Alto
