Why do we choose to work for ourselves?

Hi Thomas,

I really loved your post! :)

> I love this game. :) And I can't play it as
> an employee.

Thomas, I think that's the right approach! :)

You reminded me of this.... Bill Heinecke is a very successful American entrepreneur who's based in Thailand. He owns many first class hotels there, as well as restaurant chains (he owns the Pizza Hut, Swensen's ice cream, Dairy Queen, and Sizzler restaurant chains in Thailand), and is the exclusive distributor for Piper Aircraft in Thailand.... and a few other businesses there in addition to that!

Here's what Bill Heinecke has to say....

If you don't enjoy your work, you won't invest the time and energy needed to make it a success. I don't know of any successful entrepreneurs who consider their work boring. For most, it's a stimulating and challenging game. It has to be, because many entrepreneurs also spend most of their evenings and weekends working.

Never work just for money or power - it won't satisfy your soul, please your family, or help you sleep at night. Believe in and be committed to your business more than anyone else. In the early days, I was able to overcome most of my shortcomings through the sheer passion and enthusiasm I brought to my work. It's far easier to do this when you enjoy what you are doing.

[...]

I didn't mind working crazy hours, because it was fun. I constantly ask myself, "Do I really want to be doing this? Is it enjoyable?" If the answer is "no," I re-examine the business.

[From William E. Heinecke with Jonathan Marsh, "The Entrepreneur: 21 Golden Rules for the Global Business Manager," p. 39-40.]

Thomas.... you really reminded me of this. Playing is the best approach! I first learned this in physics.... I did my best physics work when I was just playing at what I was doing, having fun.... My playing around with physics got me the prize for the best Ph.D. thesis in the Science Faculty....

Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, says the same sort of thing.... He got his Nobel Prize for work he did while he was just playing with physics.... (He explains this in his book, "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman".... see especially pages 173-174.)

Thanks Thomas.... You reminded me of something very important that I had forgotten!

- Dien