Right, let’s have a proper chat about freedom, shall we?

Not the “quit your job and become a digital nomad in Bali” nonsense you see plastered all over LinkedIn. I’m talking about real freedom, the kind where you can pick your kids up from school without asking permission, take a long weekend without explaining yourself to anyone, or have a lie-in on Tuesday because… well, because it’s Tuesday and you bloody well feel like it.

Why I Binned My Boss After Just 2 Years

Picture this: You’re sat in another pointless meeting about meetings, watching your life tick away in 15-minute calendar blocks, when it hits you… You’re trading the best years of your life for someone else’s dream.

That was me. Just 2 years of asking permission to live my own life. 2 years of “Please sir, can I have the day off.” 2 years of watching other people get rich off my ideas, talent and effort.

Two years was more than enough.

13 Years Later: What Real Freedom Looks Like

I’ve been properly self-employed for 13 years now, and let me tell you, it’s been the best decision I ever made. But freedom isn’t just about being your own boss. It’s about designing a business that actually serves your life instead of consuming it.

A great business man I follow John Lamerton would call it a Lifestyle business. A business that suits your life.

Whether you’re a plumber, baker, electrician, consultant, or anything in between, the principles are the same.

My Freedom Formula (It’s Simpler Than You Think)

After 15+ years of building businesses, I’ve cracked the code. Here’s the formula that actually works for ANY business:

Freedom = Recurring Revenue + Smart Systems + Time Control

Sounds dead simple, right? That’s because it is. The hard part isn’t understanding it, it’s having the bottle to actually implement it properly.

Part 1: Recurring Revenue (Your Freedom Foundation)

This isn’t just about digital products. Every business can create predictable income:

• Service businesses: Monthly maintenance contracts (electrician), weekly cleaning (cleaner), quarterly check-ups (accountant)
• Product businesses: Subscription boxes (baker), regular deliveries (florist), membership clubs (gym)
• Trade businesses: Annual service agreements (plumber), seasonal contracts (gardener), ongoing support (IT support)

The beauty? Predictable income means predictable freedom. No more feast or famine months.

Part 2: Smart Systems (Work Smarter, Not Harder)

Your business should run without you constantly putting out fires:

• Booking systems that handle appointments automatically
• Payment processes that collect money while you sleep
• Customer communication that keeps clients happy without constant phone calls
• Team processes (even if it’s just one part-timer) that handle routine tasks

Example: A local baker I know set up online ordering, automated payment, and pickup notifications. Now customers order their weekly bread delivery without a single phone call.

Part 3: Time Control (The Real Prize)

This is where the magic happens. When you control your time, you control your life.

No more:

• Working every weekend because “customers need you”
• Being on call 24/7 for “emergencies” that aren’t really emergencies
• Missing important moments because you can’t find reliable help

Instead, you get:

• Proper time off that’s actually time off
• The ability to grow without working more hours
• A business that adds to your life instead of consuming it

The Reality Check (Because I’m Not Here to Blow Sunshine)

Building this freedom isn’t easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it.

Even after 13 years of self-employment, you’ll still have:

• Difficult customers (some people are just hard work)
• Cashflow challenges (especially when growing)
• Staff headaches (if you choose to hire)
• Friends who don’t get it (“When are you getting a real job?”)

But here’s what nobody tells you – even the hard days of freedom beat the best days of being employed.

Your Freedom Action Plan (For ANY Business)

Ready to start building your escape route? Here’s your roadmap:

Month 1-2: Foundation

• Identify your recurring revenue opportunity
• Set up basic online presence (website, Google Business, social media)
• Create your first systematic process

Month 3-4: Systems

• Implement booking/payment systems
• Build customer communication processes
• Start collecting customer data properly

Month 5-6: Scale

• Launch recurring revenue streams
• Hire your first bit of help (even if it’s just admin)
• Perfect your freedom formula

The Freedom Mindset Shift

The biggest change isn’t in your bank account, it’s in your head.

You stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like an owner. You stop trading time for money and start building assets. You stop being the business and start owning the business.

Why Most People Never Make the Jump

Fear. Plain and simple.

Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of what people will think. Fear of leaving the “security” of a job (which isn’t that secure anyway, is it?).

But here’s the thing… The biggest risk is staying where you are, watching your life slip away one Monday morning at a time.

The Bottom Line

Freedom isn’t a destination.

It’s a decision!

A decision to stop accepting other people’s limits on your life. A decision to bet on yourself instead of betting on a boss who could replace you tomorrow. A decision to build something that serves your life instead of consuming it.

I’ve been properly self-employed for 13 years now. Some days are brilliant, some are pants, but every single day is mine.

And that, my friend, is worth more than any salary, whether you’re fixing boilers, baking bread, or building websites.

Your Turn

What would you do with complete freedom over your time? Seriously, think about it. Write it down. Then ask yourself… What’s really stopping you from having it?

The tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance to build your freedom business are all available, whatever type of business you want to build. The only question is: are you ready to stop dreaming and start doing?

P.S. If you’re thinking “This sounds amazing, Mike, but I wouldn’t know where to start with my specific business,” don’t worry. I’ve helped everyone from electricians to accountants build their freedom formula. The principles work for any business, you just need the right roadmap for YOUR situation.