It’s going to sound strange, but running a research business is nothing like what I expected it to be. When I finally took the leap from being employed at an agency to being a lone ranger, I never imagined it would be like this.
I never knew just how difficult it can be to juggle so many significant responsibilities. In previous agencies I worked for I felt like I was busy all the time, but little did I know what else was being done outside of my remit.
It’s not even the ‘managing the business’ tasks, like invoicing, book-keeping and reporting. Sure, they’re not that much fun but they don’t put too much burden on business.
No, I think it’s more the mental exhaustion that comes from constantly having to keep a number of different plates spinning at one time. It gets to how taxing it can be to pitch for new work, run projects from start to finish and continue to give your all to do each project justice.
For me there are no shortcuts and there is no delegation. It’s a point of pride but I know that it does increase the workload and pressure.
But while running a business can be hard, the flipside of the ‘surprise coin’ is how energising and addictive it is.
I’ve gone from (when employed) feeling relatively disengaged and jaded about the industry to discovering new layers of passion and personal investment that are very personally fulfilling. I love the control that comes with running your own business and the exhilaration of being completely responsible for the decisions you make.
It can be complex and challenging at times, but things always manage to equilibrate somehow. I think the most important thing is to fully commit to giving each project the energy it deserves.
Anyway, I best get back to work. These plates don’t spin themselves.
Z