Self-employment
Something encountered by newcomers to smallholding and self-employment in general is a lack of self-motivation. Although there will be jobs that require urgent attention, many can wait. It is easy to go to the market ‘just to see how the prices are’ rather than do something more constructive. But protracted tea breaks, late starting, early finishing and in bad weather not starting at all are a sure way to bankruptcy.
Those who have previously been self-employed will fully understand how difficult it can be to make money – make being the operative word. Others who have always been employees may not fully understand that when you are not working you are not earning. If you lose hour a week every week it would cost you one week’s wages in a year and that is only 12 minutes a day. This can soon turn your small profit into a large loss. Of course, there will be things to do that do not make you money directly (property improvement is a good example) but if it makes life easier or increases efficiency the profits will be indirect.
Smallholding is a way of life that must be enjoyed to make it bearable. It is not like a job that can be borne eight hours a day by thinking of the pay packet at the week’s end. For this reason it is unwise to embark on any project which you find unpleasant either as a whole or in part. No one actively enjoys the time when lambs go to slaughter, but if every time you see your lambs you dread the day they are ready to grade this will take all pleasure out of the enterprise, and it would be better if you found something else to do with your land.
If you do not become too familiar with your ‘farm animals’ the pet syndrome does not develop; this is a good reason for keeping pets and farm animals segregated in your mind.