Starting a new business is unlike any other job - it's an enterprise, it's an adventure, it's a once in a lifetime decision. You will be in many new and often difficult situations. Your future will be in your own hands.

Can you trust yourself with this responsibility?
Will you give yourself the job?

You will have your own view of who you are. But what about how others see you? Your parents, your friends, your colleagues, your work mates, your boss or your teacher may all have a different image of you, and there may be elements of truth in what they think.

There's no single stereotype, but experience has shown that there are some things that successful self-employed people often have in common. Think for a moment what qualities might be important; then compare your list with this one.

• Persistent, enduring, have loads of stamina
• Aware
• Positive, optimistic, enthusiastic
• Tenacious
• Logical, perceptive, organised, realistic, responsible - good at getting things done
• Patient
• Have a sense of humour
• Willing
• Creative, imaginative - always coming up with new ideas
• Assertive
• Out-going, confident, cocky
• Flexible, adaptable
• Open-minded - able to take advice
• Forgiving
• Sociable, approachable, good leader - can win people over instead of getting their backs up
• Single-minded, decisive, independent
• Communicator - able to get a point across
• Opportunist, risk taker, ambitious
• Hard working, committed, determined, 'get up and go' type
• Self-motivated
• Self-belief, individual - not afraid to stand out from a crowd, or of what others think
• Recognise importance of quality

How do you compare? How many of those qualities do you possess? You don't need all of them. You may discover that you do possess many of them but have never had to demonstrate it before. It's not easy to get a true picture of yourself. You have to work at it.

You need to:

Be Honest

You are not selling yourself to an employer. There's no point in conning yourself. Face up to what you really are, not what you wish you were. If you don't feel ready for self-employment now, perhaps you will in a few years time, with more experience and qualifications.

Get an Opinion

Different people have different views of you. Talk to someone who you know well, and trust. Get a good range of views. Try to sort out when they have a point (even if it makes you feel uncomfortable) and when they are just trying to make you fit in with an image that happens to suit them. Often, it's a mixture of both.

Prove It

Wherever possible, look for an example of the qualities that you have identified. If you think you are an organiser, what have you organised? Remember to look at all aspects of your life, not just work experience and qualifications.

Keep Notes

Everyone, young or old should have a file on themselves. It's useful for planning, as well as applying for jobs. The great thing about enterprise is that it helps you to grow and develop as a person. You need to keep tabs on yourself - what are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you need to learn?