to ask, if you are self employed....

[Mupflup]

....and love what you do, what is it? I've just about reached the end of my tether after working for other people for the best part of 30 years (mostly office based managerial / consultancy roles) but need some inspiration as to what else I could do that's really different and might actually make me look forward to getting up in the morning!

eBay Seller but i rely on other stuff too, I make money from it but it wouldn’t pay the bills alone.

I’m also about to take over a garage and MOT station with my DH, who is a mechanic.

You need to find something that you are knowledgeable about and that there’s a gap in the market for. Research is the first step.

There isn’t really the “do this” magic answer that I think you’re looking for here. And even if there was, those that had discovered it wouldn’t be sharing it!

Is it the working for other people part or the managerial/consultancy part which you don't like? You could probably make quite a good living from being a self-employed management consultant if you have a good track record and contacts.

... and (meant to say above) working for yourself is a lot different from working for someone else so even if you don't like your current job, doing the same work freelance might make it much more enjoyable.

Is the type of consultancy you did something you could deliver for yourself?

I worked in recruitment for years (specialist healthcare sector), left to set up my own company doing the same thing and found it worked out extremely well

I'm a self employed estate agent. Working under the umbrella of a very big national company.

Love it!

I went self employed after 15 years working for other people. Same industry. Great to have freedom and control, but ultimately still the same job and ended up being a hangover from a career that should have been better than it was. I found out I'm not as motivated going it alone.

Am going to have my babies then retrain to do something completely different. No idea what, though.

No surprise I'm a self employed accountant and I'm sort of at the end of my working life.

Previously I had held senior and very well paid jobs, but 12 years ago the huge international company I worked for closed, I was in a position to take final salary pension (before they upped the age limit) I decided to go into small companies and do the accounts and taxes. I do this part time approx 16 - 20 hours per week, I love it and after what I did previously I could do it with my eyes closed, the companies love me because I've had a great deal of experience and I don't charge them a fortune and I'm not frightened of the VAT man like they are, so I get their problems sorted out pretty quickly.

I'll carry on for as long as I'm able.

I do consultancy but in a field I really care about and can improve people’s lives if my clients improve their service.

I am a self employed Structural Engineer. Best thing I ever did.

I have the most flexible, understanding and appreciative boss.

No way I could work for anyone else ever again.

Can't beat it with a stick.