But don’t let the times you live in inhibit your potential. If you feel the pull for creative ingenuity and vocational freedom, allow yourself to explore the exciting world of entrepreneurship. Although the global economy has seen better days, the incredible richness of technological and business advances makes now one of the best times to be an entrepreneur. If you’re on the fence and unsure about the benefits of such a move, you’re already on the right track: thinking about risk and reward will serve you well in this industry. So you want to be sure you’ll get a good ROI on this venture? Let’s talk about why becoming an entrepreneur is the ultimate lifehack.

Complete Autonomy

We’ve all experienced that moment when you, seated at your desk in a pale cubicle, listening to the chatter of keyboards surrounding you, drift off into a fantasy in which you are your own boss and can work on your own terms. Maybe it’s time you set your dreams in motion. According to a recent study, entrepreneurs who run their own business are 50% more satisfied with their jobs. Working on your own ideas may require more effort, but if you’re doing something you yourself have prioritized, it may not seem like work at all. The autonomy of having your own business plan and organizing things the way you want can have seriously beneficial effects, not just on your wallet, but on your overall well-being and happiness.

Make A Difference

It’s easy to be skeptical about the value an upstart entrepreneur can provide for society, since many tend to associate entrepreneurship with “moneymaking,” even greed. But your empathic values need not conflict with your business desires. There are plenty of examples of entrepreneurship creating opportunities for start-ups and NGOs that can create real and effective change in the world. In fact, this is one of the things that make entrepreneurship so exciting: the ability to make your mark in exactly the way you want. No one wants to spend their life churning away on a hamster wheel, creating things that they see as completely pointless. Take the bull by the horns and create the impact on the world you want to see, whether it’s in the economic or the social sector.

Resiliency

There’s no doubt about it, entrepreneurship requires durability in the face of failure. All great business leaders at some point have suffered from great disappointment, and if you choose to embark on this tenuous voyage you will at times experience defeat. But there are a few things worth keeping in mind regarding this. Firstly, you will never be alone. Good friends and family members will help you out when times get tough, and you can count on feeling exceptional when you at last achieve success and are able to pay them back double for their generosity. There are even certain governmental programs that can help you out if you do not have the support of friends and family. Lesser-known services provided by the U.S. government can help you keep your business priorities on track, even if you reach the absolute pits of business misfortune. Being an entrepreneur may be the ultimate lifehack, but it’s also one of the most difficult codes to crack. Take heed of the dangers, but also keep in mind the many compelling reasons for taking the leap—primarily those listed above. If you can find success in this industry, the rewards you reap will be greater than even your wildest cubicle daydreams.