Being in an unfulfilling job that you don’t enjoy can make your life miserable. It can be made even more challenging if you can’t find a new job or progress any further. You are not alone in feeling the frustration that being in a job you dislike entails.

It’s easy to see why so many people are drawn to becoming their own boss. They can set the rules, work from home and do something they are passionate about. While it may seem like a dream scenario, it’s harder work than you realize. If you’re serious about taking the leap follow these simple steps to success.

Figure out what you want to do

Before becoming your own boss, you need to determine what it is you want to do. You could set up your own business, go freelance or become a skinny wraps distributor. The possibilities are endless, so you need to narrow down your options. Take your passions, skills, and interests into consideration and do plenty of research into possible ways you can make money. Maybe you love photography or feel passionate about exercise. Knowing what line of work you want to be in is a vital first step that needs careful thought and consideration.

Determine what you need

Now you have a clear idea of what you want to do; you need to determine what you need to begin. You need to know exactly how much you need to make each month to run your business and pay yourself a living wage.

You also need to establish how much you need to spend on startup costs such as office equipment and products. Working this out will show you whether your business is credible or not. You also need to think about what you need to stay focused and where you can gain help and support. As your own boss, it’s your responsibility to stay productive and to manage your time efficiently. But there will be times when you need guidance and advice, so you need to know where to find it.

Start part-time to begin with

It’s likely that you won’t be financially or emotionally ready to pack up your current job straight away. So to make the move easier, start with part-time work before you take the plunge. You can work on evenings and weekends to build a customer base, test the market and network. Even if you have an incredible business idea or have skills everyone requires, that doesn’t mean you’ll be busy straight away. It could take several months for you to get your name out there and to drum up consistent business. You may find that you don’t make a lot of money to begin with. Working part time gives you the security of your full-time income while also showing you where you need to grow and develop. This lowers the risk significantly and gets you used to calling the shots.

Being your own boss can be hugely rewarding with plenty of perks that will make you enjoy work a lot more. If you follow these initial steps and work hard, there’s no reason why you can’t make your venture a huge success.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.