Want to be your own boss so that you can golf anytime? Nothing wrong with having a dream like that but before you throw away a promising corporate career to start up on your own, it’s good to pause and take an objective look at the job you might be about to leave.

Five things that might make you stay

1. I can buy out when the boss retires – so will end up with my own business anyway.

2. I’ve a life threatening condition and the company will be generous – although illness can give you a “happy go lucky” approach, it may be best to seek fulfillment in your home life rather than become an entrepreneur.

3. I will be retiring in two years’ time and I qualify for the gratuity benefit – so why not hold on for a while longer? It’s always easier to start with some reserves.

4. I actually like working for others, but my friend/partner is pushing me – is an all too common comment made by reluctant entrepreneurs. Should your partner start the business instead?

5. They’re currently funding my MBA – which means that a start-up venture has never looked so appealing. Write the plan but wait until you get the piece of paper before resigning. Next month’s lectures should not be missed.

Five things that might make you decide to leave

1. The boss is a control freak who’ll never retire – sometimes you have to accept that the boss is impossible.

2. I have a personal “pension scheme” – so however old you are you won’t lose out financially when you’re old.

3. I’ve been doing my business on part-time basis and already have a small network of contacts – yeah, with a good business plan drafted out, you should really give it a shot!

4. I want to spend more time with my young children. My full time job does not allow me that flexibility – so, is this a home business? And by the way, be ready to sacrifice financially, at least during the start-up.

5. This work is depressing me – make sure it really is work and not something else that is getting you down.

It’s all too easy to decide the work is the cause of your unhappiness and that all will be well if you start out on your own. As with almost everything in life though, you can reduce the risk and dip your toe in the water by going part-time at work. This gives you time to try out your business idea, without cutting yourself off completely from the security of regular work. Logically, the third point should be the most rational reason for anyone to chuck their job and take the dip!

But being on “part-time” first has its limitations:

• It can be slow

• Juggling too many balls

• Have to fit customers around work

• People may not take you seriously

Note: Some of the points above were taken from Robert Ashton’s book, The Entrepreneur’s Book of Checklists