Here's a quiz: When you meet someone new, what's the second question you're most likely to be asked? Answer: “What do you do?” We all know what that's about: it's not just to figure out whether you're a welder or a writer - it's to determine how important you are. For the self-employed, that question can be tough on the ego.

        In America, we associate status with our jobs. We feel good about having a fancy office or important job title. Even if we have an entry-level job, if we work with a big company, we often feel a sense of reflected status from the name recognition of our employer.

        So when you go from employee to entrepreneur, giving up those trappings of status and success can be tough. And it can be the little things that make you most uncomfortable: standing in line at the post office instead of going to the mail room, buying your own office supplies, answering your own phone.

        Even more frustrating — though you'll get over it — is when you make a lot of money, but no one knows how well you're doing. After all, you still work at home and wear jeans. I had worked for myself for seven years before my friends took me seriously. What changed their impression? I got my first overseas client. Trust me: When someone pays you to go to Australia, you suddenly get respect.

Treat yourself

       & But early on, I realized I had to take some steps to make me feel good about being self-employed.

        I set up a part of my living room as my “office,” printed business cards and stationery, and changed the way I answered my phone (from “Hello,” to “Rhonda Abrams speaking”). More importantly, I found a symbol — a status symbol — to remind me of my importance.

        For me, it was flowers. Every week, I bought myself flowers for my desk. Somehow, looking at those flowers made me feel like I'd arrived at a “real” office.

More tips to try

        If you have your own tricks for feeling like you're really in business, e-mail them to me at Rhonda@RhondaOnline.com, and I'll post them on my Web site, www.RhondaOnline.com. Meanwhile, here are a few you might try:

        • Business cards. You can't exist without them. This is a must.

        • A business phone line, especially if you don't live alone.

        • Name your company. Keep in mind that if you use any name other than your own, including “and Associates,” you may have to file a “fictitious business name” (or “DBA” which stands for “Doing Business As”) with your county, city or state.

        • Give yourself a title. I'm the “chief entrepreneur.”

        • Get dressed every day. No, of course, I didn't think you were going to work nude. But how about getting out of those sweats?

        • Set up an “office” and decorate it, even if it's a corner of a room and a nice paperweight.

        • Get your own domain name for e-mail. It's not very expensive or difficult, and it's your business address.

        • Get a gadget. Hey, we're judged by our toys. Having a cell phone, a Palm Pilot, a cool computer can make you feel as if you've arrived.
        Rhonda Abrams is the author of The Successful Business Organizer.

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