Here is a test I give to my clients so that they can get a feel for whether they are fully prepared to go into business for themselves.  The scoring is as follows:

  • “Strongly agree or all of the time” answer score 5.
  • “Agree or most of the time” answer score 4
  • “Can’t decide or sometimes” score 3
  • “Disagree or almost never” answer score 2
  • “Strongly disagree or never” answer score 1

Here are the questions:

  1. Are you a self starter?
  2. Do you like being your own boss?
  3. Do you care about making money?
  4. Are you willing to work 60 to 80 hour weeks?
  5. Are you a good leader?
  6. Do you recognize good ideas and move on them quickly?
  7. Do you have confidence in yourself?
  8. Is a good standard of living important to you?
  9. Do you deal well with change?
  10. Are you well organized?
  11. Do you like to plan?
  12. Do you make decisions quickly and then carry them out?
  13. Do you have a lot of will power?
  14. Do you like competing?
  15. Do you have experience in the area you’re going into?
  16. Do you stay current with your marketplace?
  17. Do you like setting goals?
  18. Is taking the first step easy for you?
  19. Do you like to surround yourself with good people?
  20. Are you flexible?

Score each question and then tally the score.  If your score is higher than 85 you’re should be a strong performer.  70 – 85 says your chances of success are pretty good, all things being equal.  Less than 50% and you should spend time doing some personal development.

Nevertheless, there is also the “luck” and “being in the right place at the right time” factor.  And therefore a lower score is not a definite indicator of failure just as a high score is not a definite indicator of success.