Entrepreneurship is an interest to many people. However, until you have been an entrepreneur, it is difficult to fully understand the amount of work that goes into starting a business. On the other hand, a 9-5 job just doesn’t work for everyone, and some people are just naturally inclined toward entrepreneurship. To figure out which option is best for you, read on to see how the two compare.

Schedule

Every day as an entrepreneur is different. Some days, you might have to wake up hours early to travel for some business meetings. Other days, you might be working until the early hours of the morning. With a 9-5, though, you generally can expect the same or very similar hours each day. There will be little variation, allowing you to easily set boundaries for work and personal life.

Flexibility in your schedule is one reason many want to work for themselves. However, if that is the hope, entrepreneurship is not the right avenue. As an entrepreneur, you are actually beholden to many people, from your investors to your employees. As a result, it can be very difficult to schedule time for yourself. In addition, many office jobs are providing increased flexibility to their employees, which may be a better option for some.

Pay and Benefits

One major benefit of a 9-5 is stability in pay and benefits. As long as you are employed, you can reasonably expect to make the same amount of money each month and have set benefits, including insurance, time off, and retirement accounts.

Entrepreneurs, though, may not have this level of stability. While the limits to how much you could make are technically sky-high, there are many entrepreneurs that go months or years without a salary. If you are looking for stability, entrepreneurship is not the best place to start.

The Work

Entrepreneurs who do well typically do so because they like to do different work each day. You never know exactly what is on the agenda for the next day, which can be exciting for people who like the spontaneity. It can be very fulfilling to complete work as an entrepreneur.

Full-time employees, though, typically have an idea of what they will do every day. Yes, there may be variety in a single role, but the daily tasks still tend to fit within a role’s description. Compare that to an entrepreneur, who simply does not have any job description.

Being an entrepreneur can be a dream job for some. For others, it can provide a major amount of uncertainty. Whether you would be a better fit for entrepreneurship or a 9-5 is up to your preferences. Before making a decision, think about how either option will affect your life.